Webb Simpson thought he couldn't win the US Open

WEBB Simpson believed he could be a major champion - just not yet. But he will wake up today as the winner of the 112th US Open.

Webb Simpson

WEBB Simpson believed he could be a major champion - just not yet.

But he will wake up today as the winner of the 112th US Open, becoming the ninth straight first-time winner in majors and the 15th consecutive different winner after beating Graeme McDowell and Michael Thompson by a shot at the Olympic Club in California.

"If I was honest with you, I believed in myself I could win a major, but maybe not so soon," Simpson.

"This is just my fourth or fifth major and I just gained all the respect for the guys who have won multiple majors, because it's so hard to do. The level of pressure is so much greater than a regular event. To be honest, I never really wrapped my mind around winning."

Simpson shot a two-under 68 on the final day to finish at one-over 281, one clear of McDowell (73) and Thompson (67) and two clear of Jim Furyk (74), David Toms (68), Padraig Harrington (68), Jason Dufner (70) and John Peterson (70), who shared fourth at 283.

John Senden was the pick of the Australians, finishing with a final-round 72 to be tied 10th at five over par.

Simpson picks up a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and the three other majors plus a 10-year exemption to the US Open. Not to mention $1.43 million.

He started the day four off the lead and bogeyed two of the first five holes. But Simpson knuckled down, refused to look at the leaderboard and had four birdies in his next five holes.

"I've been a leaderboard watcher my whole life but with what pressure a major brings I just didn't think it would do any good to see where I was at," the 26-year-old said. "So much can happen, even if I was three up or even five back, so much can happen during the middle part of the golf course, so I didn't look again."

Tiger Woods' chances of a 15th major championship nosedived early.

Starting five off the lead, Woods bogeyed the first two holes, double bogeyed the third and further bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes dropped him 10 shots off the lead. Three birdies in the closing 11 holes ensured he posted a 73, leaving him seven-over in a tie for 21st.

Australian Adam Scott was left to rue a poor first round after shooting his third consecutive 70 on the final day, leaving him tied for 15th at six over.

- AAP