Webb Simpson won the 112th US Open golf championship on Sunday, firing a final-round 68 for a one-stroke victory in the second major of the year.

Simpson, playing in his second US Open, emerged from four punishing days on The Olympic Club’s Lake Course with a one-over par total of 281.

That gave him a one-shot victory over Michael Thompson and 2010 champion Graeme McDowell.

Thompson, the first-round leader, closed with a 67 and Northern Ireland’s McDowell, the overnight leader with Jim Furyk, signed for a 73 for 282.

Furyk led for much of the day but his bid for a second US Open crown nine years after his first was undone by bogeys at the 13th and 16th and 18th in a 74.

That left him tied for fourth on 283 with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (68), David Toms (68), John Peterson (70) and Jason Dufner (70).

John Senden was the leading Australian, tied 10th on 285 after a 72 with Adam Scott (70) one shot back.

Simpson, a rising 26-year-old star from North Carolina who won two tournaments on the PGA Tour last year, became the ninth straight first-time winner of a major title.

Tiger Woods, seeking a 15th major title and his first since his 2008 US Open triumph at Torrey Pines, was never a factor. He started the day five shots off the lead and dropped six strokes in the first six holes.

England’s world No.3 Lee Westwood saw his hopes of a first major dashed when he lost his ball up a tree on the fifth hole.