Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Angel Cabrera kisses the trophy after winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club yesterday. Click photo for larger image. Multimedia: Press conference excerpts of the top three finishers at the 107th U.S. Open at Oakmont: Champion Angel Cabrera (via translator) Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Click to view video report Angel Cabrera celebrates his U.S. Open championship victory at the Oakmont Country Club. Plus: Bubba Watson survives a triple bogey Volunteers keep leaderboard tradition alive More coverage Day Four Report: Cabrera wins U.S. Open title Bob Smizik: Cabrera's script better than expected Ron Cook: Woods fails to join list of legendary winners at storied Oakmont Oakmont appears the winner after final putt Analysis: Cabrera's win not a perfect fit Baddeley's day goes downhill in a hurry Loyal followers kept the faith Encouragement from the crowd pleases Furyk Surprising Fasth finishes strong U. S. Open Notebook: Elderly, disabled winners at Oakmont Inside the Open: Day Four SEEN at the U.S. Open: Lexus and the Links PLUS: Blog: Rough Shots U.S. Open Photo Gallery Our U.S. Open section

Even with a Tiger stalking him right down to the bitter end and a Pennsylvanian gathering himself for one, last-ditch flurry, a barrel-chested Argentine with a penchant for striking the ball pure -- and also for lighting up a cigarette on the course to calm his nerves -- was able to earn the title at the 107th United States Open golf championship that concluded yesterday at Oakmont Country Club.

Angel Cabrera, a 36-year-old native of Cordoba, Argentina, whose nickname is "El Pato" -- The Duck -- shot rounds of 69, 71, 76 and then a 69 in the final round yesterday for a total of 5-over par, 285 to win his first major championship in 31 appearances. By one stroke, he outlasted Tiger Woods and West Chester, Pa., native Jim Furyk, who both carded a 286 for the tournament and both missed difficult birdie putts at No. 18 yesterday that would have tied Cabrera, who earned $1.26 million for the victory.

Cabrera's victory, the first for an Argentine at the U.S. Open, continues the international dominance in recent Opens, as non-American born players have now won four in a row. He was the only player in the field of 156 to shoot two rounds under par, firing a 1-under 69 in the first round on Thursday and matching that total yesterday.

Through an interpreter, Cabrera had difficulty coming up with the words to describe his momentous accomplishment.

"Yes, I watched all the majors on television when I was a kid, and I never thought I would be here at this moment," he said, emotions beginning to overcome him. "It is very difficult to describe this moment. Probably tomorrow when I wake up with this trophy beside me in my bed, I will realize that I have won the U.S. Open."

And Cabrera did it with a grinding, hard working style befitting a Western Pennsylvanian. He entered play yesterday four strokes behind leader Aaron Baddeley in a three-way tie for seventh place.

But he made birdies on holes No. 4, 5 and 8 on the front side and 11 and 15 on the back. With burly forearms, Cabrera was able to tackle the monstrous 7,230-yard Oakmont course using roaring drives all week. He unleashed a 379-yard drive on No. 12 yesterday and, when it counted most, drilled a 346-yard effort at No. 18.

Cabrera makes for an improbable U.S. Open champion as he discussed the way he came to be introduced to the sport in his home country.

"I started as a caddie when I was ten years old in Cordoba Golf Club, my home club," he said. "And they allowed caddies to play on Mondays ... I turned pro when I was 20 years old.

An inquisitor in a news conference just after Cabrera received the trophy made mention to the Argentine that he should be proud because held off Woods, the No. 1 player in the world.

"No, no, no," Cabrera interjected. "I beat everybody, not just him."