Scrappy English underdog Matt Fitzpatrick, hardened in steel town Sheffield, endured epic pressure and hit the shot of his life when it mattered most on Sunday to win the US Open. The 27-year-old blasted a stunning 9-iron from a left fairway bunker onto the 18th green and two-putted for par from 18 feet to capture his first major golf title. “It’s one of the best shots I ever hit. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.

Natural ability

“That probably is such a huge shot in the moment. If I’m honest, I look back to my three approaches into 15, 16, and 17 as all really good shots—18 was kind of just a bit of hit and hope.