Cabrera holds nerve to win maiden major title

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania, June 18 (Reuters) Argentina's Angel Cabrera held his nerve to become the second South American to win a major title with a one-shot victory at the US Open.

The 37-year-old from Cordoba, boosted by five birdies on a hot and humid day at treacherous Oakmont Country Club, yesterday fired a one-under-par 69 to post a five-over total of 285.

Three strokes clear with three holes to play, Cabrera survived bogeys on 16 and 17 before parring the last to emulate the achievement of compatriot Roberto de Vicenzo, winner of the 1967 British Open at Hoylake.

Twice champion Tiger Woods, hunting his 13th major title, had to settle for a share of second place with fellow American Jim Furyk (70) after closing with a 72.

The world number one, two strokes behind the pacesetting Aaron Baddeley of Australia overnight, stumbled early on with a double-bogey at the third.

Although Woods hit back with a birdie at the fourth, he was frequently forced to scramble to save par and failed to pick up any further shots before finishing at six over.

Swede Niclas Fasth birdied two of the last five holes for a 70 and fourth place at seven over, one better than Americans David Toms (72) and Bubba Watson (74).

With little margin for error on Oakmont's hard, fast and sloping greens, only two players in the field of 63 were under par for the day.

The scoreboard fluctuated wildly and at one point five players were tied for the lead.

Overnight leader Baddeley surrendered his lead by triple-bogeying the opening hole and fell back into a tie for 13th at 12 over after shooting an 80.

Woods appeared to be the likeliest winner midway through the final round after reaching the turn in one-over 36 but he dropped his third shot of the day at the 11th after hitting his approach into a greenside bunker.

When Cabrera hit a superb wedge approach to three feet at the par-four 15th to set up his fifth birdie and move three shots clear, the tournament was effectively decided, despite his stumble on 16 and 17.

Reuters KN VP0505