Having won four times this season entering last week's United States Open, Tiger Woods had a stronghold on the World No. 1 golf ranking. Winning the 2013 Players Championship for only the second time in his stellar career -- a career that includes 14 Major Championships -- along with the Cadillac Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Farmers Insurance Open, Tiger Woods looked to be back in top form entering a tournament he hasn't won since 2008.
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Battling early struggles at the famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Tiger was never able to sustain any positive momentum. Making a total of 20 bogeys, a triple bogey and needing 127 putts to close out the four-day tournament, Tiger Woods finished in a tie for 32nd at plus-13. The 13-over-par finish for the 37-year-old was his worst finish at any major championship as a professional.
While the No. 1 player on the planet battled his fair share of struggles, five-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson was in contention from start to finish. Mickelson fired an opening round 67 to take control of the tournament through a rainy opening round and leading a field of competitors by one stroke entering the final day, Mickelson was in prime position to win his first U.S. Open.
The lefty superstar received strong competition from Justin Rose on the final day, however, and found himself behind late on Sunday. After Rose wrapped up his final 18 holes at plus-1 for the tournament by shooting a solid Sunday 70, Phil Mickelson needed a birdie at the 18th hole to force a Monday playoff. Hitting his tee shot on the 18th hole and sending his approach shot short of the green but in the fairway, Mickelson's must-have chip shot skirted by the hole, killing his championship hopes.
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With the victory, Justin Rose moved from No. 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings to No. 3 while Mickelson moved from No. 10 to No. 6. Rory McIlroy remains at No. 2 while 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott dropped from No. 3 to No. 4.
Top 15 in World Golf Rankings
1. Tiger Woods, USA
2. Rory McIlroy, NIR
3. Justin Rose, ENG
4. Adam Scott, AUS
5. Matt Kuchar, USA
6. Phil Mickelson, USA
7. Luke Donald, ENG
8. Brandt Snedeker, USA
9. Graeme McDowell, NIR
10. Louis Oosthuizen, ZAF
11. Steve Stricker, USA
12. Lee Westwood, ENG
13. Charl Schwartzel, ZAF
14. Keegan Bradley, USA
15. Sergio Garcia, ESP
For a complete look at the World Golf Rankings follow this link.
The next event on the PGA Tour schedule is the Travelers Championship which begins on Thursday, June 20 while the next major championship is The Open Championship, set to start on Thursday, July 18 from Muirfield in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland.
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SEE HIGHLIGHTS From The Exciting Final Round of the 2013 U.S. Open
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