‘More grand slams’: Carlos Alcaraz already has sights set on 2023 glory after US Open triumph in Cincinnati
Carlos Alcaraz will reach the pinnacle of his professional golfing career when he reaches the US Open grand slam, after the South American left-hander collected his first major honour on Thursday.
The 18-year-old became the youngest player since 1950 to achieve this feat when he defeated Jason Day in a gripping third round, 6&1, 7&5 to win his first World Golf Championship.
Alcaraz, who has not won a major since the US Open of 2017 – his last victory in a major came at the 2015 US Amateur – set himself up for future success by turning in a superb display of game sense in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz: The 18-year-old who won his first major, and has everything you could possibly want from a golfing talent
Carlos Alcaraz: The 18-year-old who won his first major, and has everything you could possibly want from a golfing talent
The Venezuelan native took control of the closing stages of the afternoon with a four-birdie performance to claim a 2&1 victory in the most dramatic of finishes.
He was in control for much of the afternoon before his concentration wavered and he ran out of steam at the crucial point in regulation play.
He recovered his composure and shot another fine par to make the final two putts for eagle, to secure the win.
Carlos Alcaraz could not have picked a more fitting venue to complete his grand slam, when just five days earlier he won the Venezuela Open at Parque Principal, a tournament in which he came into the evening on the high side of a massive two-stroke lead. It was a victory that propelled him into the world’s top 10 and into the top 10 at home at number seven, as he continues to put together a superb season.
On the eve of his historic win he looked