N. Ireland's Graeme McDowell won the US Open on Sunday, holding steady as Pebble Beach buffeted a bevy of golf's big names to claim his first major championship.

McDowell became the first European since England's Tony Jacklin in 1970 to lift the trophy and he beat another European, unheralded Frenchman Gregory Havret, by one shot.

McDowell carded a three-over par 74 to claim the title with an even par total of 284. Havret posted a one-over 72 for 285.

South Africa's Ernie Els finished third with a 73 for 286. Tiger Woods and Masters champion Phil Mickelson shared fourth place on 287.

"To play steady and withstand some tough holes the way Graeme did and to come out on top, he played some great golf," said Mickelson, who missed out on a chance to seize the world number one ranking from Woods and remained in search of a US Open title after five runner-up finishes.

No one was hit harder than overnight leader Dustin Johnson.

His three-shot lead evaporated with a triple-bogey seven at the second hole. That was followed by a double bogey and a bogey as he collapsed to an 82 that left him eighth.

Havret, playing in his first US Open, kept his poise admirably. But McDowell clung to a one-stroke lead over the last four holes and Havret couldn't find a birdie that he needed at the last. When Havret failed to birdie, McDowell needed only to par the last and he closed it out in regulation.

"I can't believe I'm standing with this right now," said McDowell, who was hugged by his father at the 18th green before he was presented with the trophy.

"I've dreamed this all my life... I can't believe it happened."

McDowell claimed the fifth US Open title to be decided at Pebble Beach. The others were won by a rollcall of golf's best - Jack Nicklaus in 1972, Tom Watson in 1982, Tom Kite in 1992 and Woods in 2000.