Ewen Murray reflects on an unforgettable finish to the US Open

Ewen Murray reflects on a remarkable finish to the US Open, more joy in Germany for Pablo Larrazabal, and looks forward to the Scottish Open reviving childhood memories as the tournament returns to historic Gullane...

A week on from the US Open, I'm still wondering if all of that drama really happened in Washington State. With so many words spoken on the design and condition of the greens at Chambers Bay, the championship really should be remembered for its amazing and unforgettable finish.

The season began with talk of Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson joining the elite five who have won the Grand Slam. With half of the golfing year behind us, we are now presented with the chance to witness a calendar Grand Slam from the irrepressible 21-year-old American Jordan Spieth.

America will be proud of their new champion. As each week passes, Jordan continues to mature as a golfer and person. He is someone who embraces pressure and I think he will relish the expectation that will undoubtedly be on his young shoulders in the run-up to The Open Championship at St Andrews.

It was another close call in a major for Dustin Johnson, but he is still awaiting the breakthrough and I hope he can quickly put the three-putt at the 72nd behind him. In hindsight, it's easy to say he should have trickled the 12-footer down to the hole side and should it not have dropped, take his chances in an 18-hole play-off. With Jordan giving him a second chance after double-bogeying 17, Johnson produced two glorious shots to set up the eagle opportunity and he was entirely focused on achieving that.

Next time, Dustin may think differently. There will certainly be a next time. The 30-year-old has turned his life around after drifting down the wrong road. Now a husband and father, Dustin has a sound base as well as some tranquility in his world. I have no doubt his time will come.

German joy for Pablo

The European Tour is now in full swing and the BMW International Open, as it always seems to do, produced a fine tournament. Henrik Stenson's final-round 65 was not quite enough to take the title, but the fresh Bavarian air seems to suit Pablo Larrazabal as he secured his second victory in Germany's premier golfing event.

The Spaniard is not travelling to Le Golf National, 20 miles south west of Paris, the venue of his maiden victory in 2008. Having spoken to him on Monday, he wants time to enjoy this latest victory. Seven years ago he had to go through the 36-hole pre-qualifying to get into the event. Much has changed since then and life is good for Pablo as this win takes him into the world's top 70 and he is now 25th in the Race to Dubai.

He's also just got engaged and will now focus on The Open and beyond that, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the final major of the year, the USPGA at Whistling Straits. Pablo had laser eye surgery just before Christmas and there has been a steady improvement in his technique over the early months of this year. His swing is not as steep and he has laid the foundations to build and complete his best-ever season.

Le Golf National is one of the players' favourite courses. The routing was laid out by Hubert Chesneau, but it has the signature of one of the world's top designers, Houston-based Robert Von Hagge stamped all over it. Robert has been a prolific architect in his long and distinguished career. I believe his best work was for Baron Bic in creating the truly magnificent Les Bordes in the Loire Valley.

This week's venue is, of course, the site for the 2018 Ryder Cup and I'm sure it will deliver an outstanding event.

Gullane memories

Next week, I'm looking forward to returning home to the Gullane Bents. This award-winning coastline is home to some of Scotland's finest Links courses, and most of the viewers across the world will see Gullane for the first time.

As a youngster I spent many happy hours playing at its three courses. As a 12-year-old, I'd play three rounds at Gullane number three in one day. A course about 5,500 yards, just a miniature edition of both one and two. It was a tranquil, peaceful and carefree childhood.

Close by is Luffness, which is similar to the Aberdeen Asset Management venue, and a mile from there is Kilspindie - home to my Sky Sports colleague, Andrew Coltart. A day's golf there is sheer delight. To the east is Muirfield and North Berwick and sandwiched in between is one of Scotland's modern gems, Archerfield Links, which is destined to rival its elderly neighbours.

A few miles west towards "Auld Reekie" is Musselburgh Links, where the Open Championship was played six times between 1874 and 1889. Mary Queen of Scots played there before her untimely demise. If you are planning a Scottish golfing holiday, look closely at East Lothian. You are spoilt for choice and several courses are of the very highest quality.

Gullane is where many of the world's best players will tune their games before the third major of the year and we shall preview The Open when the time comes. For now, we will concentrate on Versailles, and I look forward to your company over the next fortnight.

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