South African Retief Goosen was typically understated as he reacted to winning the US Open after an 18-hole play-off.

The 32-year-old bounced back after three-putting on the 18th hole on Sunday to win his first major by overcoming American Mark Brooks.

"It was a long week and I had to work hard but it means everything," he said with a broad smile.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet and although I'm sure it will change my life it won't change me," he said.

"I haven't really been playing well all season but I made everything I looked at and I surprised myself, but I felt I could handle the pressure.

"It's amazing and I don't want to consider what it would have felt like if I had lost but I played solid and my putter was warm in places - except yesterday."

With victory belatedly secured, Goosen, who had never fared better than tied 10th in his previous majors, was able to reflect on his nightmare hole.

Tale of two fives

Of the three putts on Sunday evening he reflected: "I hit the first putt too hard through the break.

"I can't explain the second one, though. There was no way mine should have gone right like it did."

Back at the 18th in Monday's play-off, Goosen was happy with a five.

He said: "When I got the putt, I said I wasn't going to run it by again, so I said I'd make my five and get out of here."

Goosen also paid tribute to the Belgian sports psychologist, Jos Vanstiphout, who helped him turn failure into success in 24 hours.

"We had a little chat and he told me that tomorrow is a brand new day and today will never come back," he said of Vanstiphout's advice.

"He got me to think good thoughts and to forget the past and that helped a lot."

Brooks enjoyed his first top three finish since he won the USPGA in 1996 but it was small consolation as he missed out on a second Major.

"It was just one of those weird days and I didn't play great," he explained.

"I was punished severely for going into the rough, and that was pretty much the story of the day."

"He had a big lead. I couldn't but any pressure on him and I couldn't get anything to happen," Brooks added.