Goosen - played "rubbish" (Getty Images).

Twelve months after watching Ernie Els fail to break 80 in the final round of the US Open Retief Goosen now knows how it feels.

Three clear with a round to play at Pinehurst, the South African looked odds-on to make a successful defence of the title and claim his third victory in five years.

But Goosen crashed to an 81 and ended up in a share for 11th place while playing partner Jason Gore, 818th in the world and facing the biggest day of his life, collapsed to an 84.

"On the 16th I said at least we've got to try and play for something," revealed Goosen. "Unfortunately, he messed up on the last (with a double bogey to Goosen's par) and I won the five bucks.

"I played rubbish. It happened to Ernie last year and it was my turn this year. But this is nothing serious - nobody has died and I had a great Father's Day with the kids. Family is a lot more important than playing.

"But it was disappointing. I would have obviously loved to have been up there giving myself a chance.

"I was trying all the way, but from the second hole onward I got on the wrong side of the course and got bitten. I threw this away, but I will be back."

So will Sergio Garcia, who had to settle for a share of third in his bid to become Europe's first winner of the US Open since 1970 and first winner of any Major since 1999.

The 25-year-old was eight behind Goosen with a round to go, but while he out-scored him by 11 he could never catch Michael Campbell and Tiger Woods.

"I really feel I scored the highest score I could shoot," said the Spaniard after his 70. "You've got to get breaks and make a couple of putts here and there.

"I didn't make any in the third round and that cost me. It's just a shame because I felt I played great on the final day.

"But the most important thing is my attitude. How I took it and got over everything that happened to me. My caddie told me it's the best I've been in a Major with him.

"That's nice. I guess you learn. I have a friend of mine who's only 24 and he's got lung cancer. To see those things really wakes you up and makes you realise that a bogey is not that bad."

Lee Westwood fell from seventh overnight to 33rd with a 79, while Swede Peter Hedblom, playing with Woods, shot 75 for joint 11th.

Gore, not even a member of the US Tour, said despite finishing all the way down in 45th: "It was awesome. I can't wait to try it again. A little humility is good for you and the next time I'm in the final group I'll do better."