SAN FRANCISCO — He posted the lowest round of the week and carded the most birdies of anyone in the field, but Michael Thompson’s bid to win the U.S. Open still fell tantalizingly short.
Thompson, a 27-year-old virtual unknown on the PGA Tour, burst on the scene with an opening-round 4-under-par 66 to take a three-shot lead into the second day. He also had 16 birdies in his four rounds, more than anyone else.
But it was his two middle rounds — a 75 on Friday and a 74 on Saturday — that sabotaged his chances to make this week truly magical for himself.
Thompson fought back in yesterday’s final round with a 67 and was the leader in the clubhouse at 2-over par for the tournament until Webb Simpson came in at 1-over about 45 minutes later.
“I knew from the beginning of the week if I can just shoot right around 1-over every day I would be happy,’’ Thompson said. “I didn’t expect at all to shoot under par and then to go out and shoot way under par [in the first round] on a U.S. Open is kind of unbelievable.
“To have that great start the way I did was a new experience for me,’’ he added. “Coming in with a three-shot lead after the first day is, in any golf tournament, is unbelievable. That means you played fantastic the first round. So that was different and a new experience.
“I don’t know what to say. It was a great tournament. To start it off in such a way and then finish it the same way practically, it just feels amazing.’’
Despite not being able to sustain it for four rounds, Thompson was very upbeat about his experience.
“I’m excited because now I know I can do it,’’ he said. “I love USGA events. I honestly have fun during USGA events because they’re so challenging. It’s easy for me to get prepared mentally. I believe in myself.’’
Thompson’s runner-up finish in the 2007 U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club helped that belief. He has been staying with the same family he stayed with in 2007.
“I think it helped me a ton,’’ he said. “Through the U.S. Amateur I learned to love the golf course.’’