The biggest story in the third round was another 66, however, one by Tiger Woods. It was easily the best Woods had played since his return from a scandal-induced absence. He looked like the Tiger of old, hitting big shots, sinking big putts, making big fist pumps, drawing huge cheers.

So the picture entering the final round showed Johnson on top by three, McDowell in second, Woods in third, with Mickelson, Ernie Els and Gregory Havret in the mix. But Johnson was five ahead of Woods, six ahead of Els and seven ahead of Mickelson. If any of those big names were going to have a chance, they needed help from Johnson.

And they got it. Johnson, who appeared so in control in the first three rounds on a course he had won on twice before, collapsed early and often in the final round. He triple-bogied the second hole, then hit his drive on No. 3 way left and into heavy brush. The ball was lost, and Johnson's hopes were pretty much lost at that point, too. He finished with an 82, 16 strokes higher than he scores in the third round.

McDowell remained patient and solid. Els tied McDowell at 3-under for the lead after his sixth hole, but a streak of bogey-double bogey-bogey at the turn severely damaged Els' hopes.

Mickelson and Woods simply never made anything happen. With Johnson's collapse, and with McDowell giving a couple strokes back, the two superstars were never out of the mix, they just weren't able to make any birdies. It was a very frustrating day for both.

And perhaps especially for Els, who bogied the 17th hole and missed a good birdie try on the last. He posted 2-over for the clubhouse lead. Then Havret - who played best among the final-round leaders - reached the 72nd hole, and he missed a birdie putt. But he posted 1-over.

That left McDowell in the 18th fairway at even par, needing to make par to win the 2010 U.S. Open. And make par is what he did.

McDowell's victory was the first by a European golfer in this tournament since Tony Jacklin won the 1970 U.S. Open.

Sixty-year-old Tom Watson, who received a special exemption from the USGA to play, and who won the 1982 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, finished tied for 29th. It was likely Watson's final U.S. Open appearance.