As the leaders made the turn in the 121st U.S. Open, the top of the leader board was populated by the biggest names in the game. But some of the most raucous celebrations on Sunday came from unheralded Guido Migliozzi, whose 3-under-par 68 in the final round vaulted him to a T-4 finish in his first major championship.
“Starting the week, I was thinking I have only one chance to win my first major,” said Migliozzi, 24, of Italy. “My thinking today in the morning was to be able to give me a chance to get into the top 10, so I'm very happy about the score today.”
Migliozzi was ranked No. 192 in the world just five weeks ago, but back-to-back runner-up finishes on the European Tour vaulted him 89 places and earned him a spot in the U.S. Open field via the three-event European Qualifying Series.
He took full advantage at Torrey Pines and his emotion was on full display over the final seven holes. Migliozzi made three birdies: a 60-foot putt on the 12th, a chip-in on the 14th and a two-putt from 54 feet on the 18th. His finish earns him exemptions into next year’s Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open at The Country Club.