Glover holds nerve to triumph at Bethpage

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Lucas Glover stayed rock steady to hold off thrilling charges by fellow Americans Phil Mickelson and David Duval and claim his first major title at the weather-delayed U.S. Open on Monday.

Five strokes ahead of the field overnight with compatriot Ricky Barnes, Glover closed with a three-over-par 73 at a blustery and overcast Bethpage Black to triumph by two shots.

The 29-year-old, whose only previous PGA Tour victory came at the 2005 Disney Classic, kept his composure in nerve-jangling conditions to post a four-under total of 276.

"It was a test of patience today," a beaming Glover said after earning the winner's cheque for $1.35 million. "It was tough. The golf course played fantastic but it was just hard today.

"I was pretty nervous coming down the stretch and 16 obviously was huge," he added, referring to a six-foot putt there for his only birdie of the day. "I hit the shots today that I had to hit in the situation."

Tour rookie Barnes, like Glover a qualifier, slid out of contention with five bogeys in seven holes from the fifth on the way to a 76 and a tie for second place.

Also at two under were three-times major winner and crowd favorite Mickelson, who carded a topsy-turvy 70, and former world number one Duval, after a five-birdie 71.

"I put myself in a great position to close it out but unfortunately I didn't finish it off," Mickelson said after claiming a record fifth runner-up spot at the U.S. Open.