US Open 2016: Dustin Johnson secures first career major despite penalty controversy

Dustin Johnson has clinched his first career major after winning the 2016 US Open at Oakmont. A year on from final hole agony where he three-putted on the 18th to hand the title to Jordan Spieth, the 31-year-old saw off the challenge of Ireland's Shane Lowry to claim a three-shot victory on a hugely controversial final day.

Johnson ended his final round five under par but saw a stroke taken off him by the the United States Golf Association. The threat of that penalty hung over Johnson throughout the final day following an incident on the fifth hole where his ball was judged to have moved.

The incident saw Johnson stood over his ball before making two practice putts. As he prepared his shot, his ball moved slightly, but he immediately pulled away insisting he had not touched it. Johnson's playing partner Lee Westwood was heard insisting there had been no contact, while a rules official appeared satisfied there had been no infringement.

But before teeing off on the 12th hole, Johnson was informed there would be a review. The USGA decided they would not make a final decision on the incident until after the round was completed, however, leaving the South Carolinian in a position where he did not know where he stood among the leading pack.

The USGA's decision to hold off on making an immediate decision prompted frustration from Johnson's fellow pros, with Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Luke Donald among those to condemn the handling of the situation on Twitter.

Following the conclusion of the round, the USGA confirmed a one-stroke penalty, but it only served to reduce the size of a hugely impressive victory.

Jim Furyk, Scott Piercy and Lowry all finished one under par. Lowry started the morning four shots clear at the top of the leader board but opened the door for the chasing pack witha bogey on the second. Three successive bogeys from the 14th wiped out his advantage and allowed Johnson to take his lead.

Lee Westwood's hopes of keeping pace with his playing partner were wiped out after four consecutive bogeys from the second hole while Jason Day's challenge faded as he dropped three strokes over the final two holes, ending two over par.