US Open winner Justin Rose has proudly shown off his new trophy after becoming the first English golfer to take the title in more than four decades.
The 32-year-old, who has received an outpouring of praise for his first major win, thanked fans for their support.
He tweeted “Time to enjoy an amazing day!! Thanks for the support guys…..” and posted a pictured of his trophy taking centre stage on a dining table surrounded by champagne flutes.
His win poignantly came on Father’s Day and after tapping the ball into the final hole of the tournament Rose raised his fingers to the sky in recognition of his father Ken, who died from leukaemia in 2002 and had a massive influence on his career.
“What a day,” an emotional Rose said, following the four-day tournament at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m thrilled. It wasn’t lost on me that today is Father’s Day.
“I think a lot of us came from great men and we have the responsibility to them to show them what great men can be.
“For it all to work out for me on such an emotional day, I couldn’t help but look up to the heavens and think my old dad Ken had something to do with it.”
Thousands of people took to social media to congratulate the father-of-two, who has become the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 – 10 years before Rose was born.
Among the praise was the last English winner of a major, Sir Nick Faldo, who triumphed at the US Masters in 1996.
Referring to the many competitions which have since passed without being claimed by an English golfer, he tweeted: “68 Majors and moons and moons since…since! £Englishgolfers. Congratulations {M0JustinRose99 US Open Champ “Good/great golfing today”!”
Former footballer and TV presenter Gary Lineker tipped Rose to win another award: “Wow {@JustinRose99 has won the US Open. Thrilled for him! Sports personality of the year?”
Many were touched by Rose’s dedication to his father.
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott tweeted: “Now THAT’s how you celebrate Father’s Day. Well done {M0JustinRose99. Your dad would be very proud. And we are too. #usopen”
Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell added: “Well done {@justinrose99 Your tribute to your Dad will spur on everyone at {@beatbloodcancer to keep working for a cure.”
Rose had said after the second round that he knew “deep down” he could win a major and held his nerve on a dramatic final day, carding five birdies and five bogeys to finish one over par and two shots ahead of main rival Phil Mickelson.