US Open Golf Tournament Facts
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by: MickEuanTait
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The US Open was played for the first time on the same course and on the same week as the US Amateur. The event was held at a 9-hole course at Newport Golf and Country Club, Rhode Island. It comprised 4 rounds of 9-holes played on the same day and was won by Englishman, Horace Rawlins. Only ten professionals and one amateur took part and the total prize money was $335.
The format of the U.S. Open has changed a number of times over the years. The USGA extended the championship to 72 holes in 1898, with 36 holes played each of two days. In 1926, the format was 18 holes played each of two days, followed by 36 holes on the third day. In 1965, the present format of four 18-hole daily rounds was implemented for the first time.
In 1922, spectator tickets were sold for the very first time which helped increase the popularity of The US Open. Bobby Jones, an amateur golfer from Georgia who won the event in 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930, also contributed to the popularity of the event and the sport in general. In 1954, the event was televised and broadcast on national television which helped increase the popularity even more. Surprisingly, it wasn't until 1977 that there was live coverage of all 18 holes from the final two days, and 1982 when the first two days had live coverage.
From 1895 until 1910, the British dominated The US Open, or more correctly, the Scots - winning 12 of the first 15 events. One of those Scots, Willie Anderson, won The US Open four times in the 1900's. There has only been a total of four players that have won four times; the other three were Bobby Jones in the 1920's and 1930 (when he won the Grand Slam); Ben Hogan from the late 40's to early 50's; and The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus who won his first in 1962 and his last in 1980.
With Tiger Woods remarkable win in the 2008 US Open bringing his US Open wins to three, I am sure he will be joining the four golfing legends above quite soon. Another interesting statistic is that a European has not won the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970. Also in the 2008 US Open, England's Lee Westwood was very close to breaking the 38 year European drought but missed his birdie putt on the 18th that would have forced a three way play-off.
Nobody has won the modern day Grand Slam of golf, but 5 players have managed to win the US Open plus The Open, The Masters, and The PGA. The 5 players won each event but on different years, although some have won three out of the four majors on the same year. Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods are the only 5 players to capture all 4 majors.
Americans have dominated the event since 1911 having won a total of 78 times. Since the end of the British dominance, South Africa have the second best record with 5 wins. The only other nations that have won the event once or twice each is Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Argentina, and England. It is sad that Scotland, being the home of golf, have not produced many great golfers since 1910. Willie MacFarlane in 1925, was the last Scotsman to win the US Open and the last Scotsman to win a golf major on American soil was Sandy Lyle at The Masters in 1988.
About the Author
Mick Euan Tait is a golfer, golf fan, and golf writer. Check out his website for more fascinating information about golf tournaments.
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