Cabrera shrugs off pressure and heat from superstars to win U.S. Open

Furyk, not the longest hitter, hammered a driver that reached the deep rough surrounding the greenside bunker on the puny hole, then required two shots with a wedge to extricate it from the cabbage and made a sloppy bogey. He didn't sniff a birdie at the brutish 18th, nor did Woods, who missed a 25-footer that would have forced a playoff.

"I'm a little surprised at 17 that my drive went as far as it did, a little pea shooter like me," said Furyk, who figured he'd have an easy pitch to the flag front in front of the green. "I was amazed at how far I hit that ball."

People have been saying that about Cabrera for years, since he's arguably the biggest hitter in Europe over the past decade. Which is why a tight Open setup on slippery greens didn't seem like the best combination. He's never been considered a great putter or straight hitter.

"That's why we thought this was our chance, because everybody was missing (putts)," said his manager and interpreter, Manuel Tagle.

While Furyk mustered three birdies to get back in the mix, Woods was struggling just to stay in the game. He missed a crucial birdie putt from 4 feet on the 13th, missed from 30 feet on the next hole, then was forced to one-putt three greens in succession.

It was another disappointing end for Woods, who was seeking his 13th major title. For the second Grand Slam event in succession, he had a share of the lead on Sunday and didn't deliver the goods. A career peccadillo remains -- he has never won a major excepting when he has held at least a share of the 54-hole lead. He has no explanation, either.

"I haven't gotten it done," said Woods, who has two wins and two seconds in his past four majors. "Put myself there, and haven't gotten it done."

Cabrera could say the same, sort of. He's had close calls at majors in the past, too, missing a playoff by a stroke at the 1999 British Open and leading on the back nine at the 2001 Masters. Now he can stand tall with countryman Roberto DeVicenzo, who won the British Open title in 1967. DeVicenzo remains mostly known in this country for what happened the following year when he won the Masters, but signed an incorrect scorecard and was credited with finishing second. He said, "What a stupid I am."

No need for Cabrera to make any apologies. You can bet that they are partying like crazy back in Cordoba, his hometown, where he learned the game as a caddie and grew up in a very poor family. America, land of opportunity, meet your rags-to-riches national champion.

He dropped out of school and worked as a gardener to make ends meet around the house, then began caddying for extra money. Cordoba Golf Club in his hometown allowed caddies to play on Mondays, and he was hooked, turning pro at 20 and starting out for Europe with a financial stake by tour pro Eduardo Romero, a former neighbor.

"He's a very self-made man who went all the way," Tagle said.

Cabrera is a big guy with a hearty laugh -- he, Woods and Furyk were playfully teasing one another during the championship ceremony, drawing stares from the somber USGA officials -- and a big appetite for life.

"He's going to drink a lot tonight," Tagle said. "Beer, wine, everything."

The two Yanks were left to lick their wounds. Furyk became the first player to finish second in consecutive Opens since another Pennsylvania native, Arnold Palmer, was the back-to-back bridesmaid in 1966-67.

"No one likes consolation prizes," said Furyk, who started the day tied with Cabrera at 6 over, four shots back. "I'm proud of the way I played and proud of those finishes, but second is not that fun to be honest with you."