WHERE THEY WENT WRONG

At the start of the final round, eight players were within three shots of the lead: Phil Mickelson ( the leader at - 1), Hunter Mahan ( even), Charl Schwartzel ( even), Steve Stricker ( even), Justin Rose (+ 1), Luke Donald (+ 1), Billy Horschel (+ 1) and Jason Day (+ 2). Each had a fine chance at earning his first U. S. Open title. Each had a moment ( or two) when he lost his way — except for Rose, who shot a finalround 70 to win his first major title.

STRICKER: The 46- year- old veteran’s waterloo came early, at the 556- yard, par- 5 second hole. He hit his tee shot out of bounds, then shanked a ball out of bounds from the fairway. He ended up with a triple- bogey 8. He finished with a 6- over 76 and tied for eighth at 6 over.

SCHWARTZEL: He looked like he might be ready to add a major title to his 2011 Masters after a birdie at No. 1. It went downhill from there: From holes 3 to 7 he went bogey, bogey, bogey, double bogey, bogey. Lights out. He ended up with a 78, 8 over for the tournament.

DONALD: His problems began Saturday when he double bogeyed No. 18 and cost himself a chance to be in the final group. After two pars Sunday, it went south fast: Bogeys at 3, 4 and 5 and a double bogey at No. 6. He shot a final- round 75 and finished at 6 over, tied for eighth.

HORSCHEL: He never really threatened Sunday, with bogeys at Nos. 2, 3 and 5. He ended up with a 74, tied for fourth at 5 over.

MAHAN: He was there until the late stages, with one bogey ( at No. 6) through 14 holes. Then he unraveled with a double bogey at 15 and bogeys at 17 and 18. He finished with a 75 and tied for fourth at 5 over.

DAY: He got to even par and a share of the lead with a birdie at No. 10 but couldn’t sustain it. Bogeys at 11, 14 and 18 finished him. The bogey at 11 was sort of miraculous after he knocked his approach into a creek and came up short in the rough, only to chip in to save bogey. He finished with a 71 and tied for second at 3 over. He has at least a tie for second in three of the four majors, missing only the British Open.

MICKELSON: The leader in the first three rounds double- bogeyed No. 3 and No. 5 to go from leader to chaser, but it didn’t finish him. It was bogeys at 13 and 15 and a missed birdie at 16 — despite the hole- out for eagle at No. 10 — that sunk him. Another bogey at 18 — when he needed birdie to tie — left him with a final- round 74, tied for second at 3 over.