Angel Cabrera finished his 18 holes Sunday and went into the clubhouse to wait.
Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk played in twosomes right after Cabrera and they knew what was in front of them.
The crowd of just over 45,000 began to approach the 18th green. Some of them started to take their positions and seats around the final hole four, five or six hours before the last groups arrived.
The two grandstands around 18 were packed and lines of spectators formed at the entrances, hoping to get a seat or two vacated by someone tired of sitting.
Security kept lines moving in the walkways near the grandstands, sometimes using raised voices or asking for uniformed police to assist them when a fan couldn't understand why they weren't allowed to stop and watch what was happening near or on the 18th green.
That was the scene that played out on the 72nd hole of the 107th U.S. Open, a tournament that took its toll on every golfer in the field.
Following Tiger Woods' missed birdie putt on 18, Cabrera's friends and family spilled out of the clubhouse, hugging each other and shouting joy at the victory.
The fans, many hoping to see Woods or Furyk come from behind, gave Cabrera a nice round of applause when he came out for the trophy presentation.
Woods and Furyk joined Cabrera for the ceremony and were very classy in their speeches.
"Thanks to all the fans from Pennsylvania," said Furyk, who grew near Philadelphia, but spent five years of his childhood in Uniontown. "To come back to my home state and receive this support was great."
Tiger was equally appreciative of the crowds at Oakmont Country Club.
"This was a great atmosphere all week," he said. "The fans were boisterous. It made it fun."
Father's Day was not only special for many golfers, but for all the fathers in the crowd who got to spend time with their sons or daughters, walking the course on Sunday or teaching them about one or more aspects of the game.
When the U.S. Open comes to Torrey Pines in San Diego next June, Tiger will be a new father.
USGA officials and Oakmont Country Club have begun initial talks about bringing the U.S. Open back to the area as soon as possible.
The next opening is 2015.
By Michael Love
Sports editor
The Advance Leader and Plum Advance Leader