'Unbelievable': Jon Rahm makes history in epic US Open victory

Jon Rahm has made history after a sensational final round 67 saw him capture a maiden major title at the US Open.

On a chaotic final day at Torrey Pines that saw so many of his his nearest rivals fall put of contention, Rahm held off South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen to complete a fairytale by becoming Spain's first US Open champion.

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The victory was all the more sweet for Rahm after he was forced to withdraw from the Memorial less than three weeks ago while leading, after testing positive for Covid-19.

It was Rahm's first event since that dramatic withdrawal and the popular Spaniard made it count in a memorable final round.

With the United States celebrating Father's Day it was a fitting victory for the 26-year-old who just recently celebrated becoming a new dad.

Rahm moved into a tie with Oosthuizen at five-under with a 24-foot birdie putt on the par-4 17th, before closing out the championship in style.

Having found the fairway at 18, Rahm hit his next shot into the bunker, but managed to dig it out from the sand trap and give himself a chance at a long birdie putt.

The speedy putt curled down the hill into the hole, setting off a roar at Torrey Pines and a big fist pump from Rahm.

It was an unforgettable moment for the Spaniard, who then had to watch as Oosthuizen played out his final three holes.

Rahm makes history in fairytale win

The South African was left needing to make an eagle at the 18th after a bogey on 17, but he ended up falling just short as Rahm celebrated his first major title.

The golfing world flooded social media to congratulate the new dad on his history-making achievement.

"I'm a big believer in karma," Rahm told NBC after his historic win.

"After what happened a couple weeks ago, I stayed really positive knowing big things were coming.

"I didn't know what it was going to be. I just knew we were coming to a special place. I know I got my breakthrough win here. It's a very special place for my family."

Rahm, the World No.3 and pre-tournament favourite, rattled in successive winding birdie putts on his last two holes to seize the clubhouse lead to rapturous applause from the galleries.

He led Oosthuizen by a shot at that stage and when the third-round co-leader found the hazard on the par-4 17th, Rahm had one hand on the trophy.

Oosthuizen needed to eagle the par-5 last hole - as he did in the third round - to force a playoff.

But he was unable to repeat the magic, leaving Rahm as the champion 15 days after being told of his COVID-19 diagnosis while holding a six-shot lead after the third round of The Memorial in Ohio.

It consigned Oosthuizen to his sixth major championship runner-up finish.

Adam Scott carded a two-over 73 to be best of the Australians at five over, a shot ahead of Wade Ormsby (71) while Marc Leishman (77) and Matt Jones (75) finished at 12 over and 13 over respectively.

Phil Mickelson closed out his week with a 40 on the back nine for a 75, putting him at 11-over 295.

Since the last of his six runner-up finishes at Merion in 2013, he has either missed the cut or finished over par in the US Open.

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