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US Open Golf Tournament Facts

The second oldest of the major golf tournaments, the US Open golf tournament started 35 years alter The Open in 1895. Originally, the majors consisted of The Open, The (British) Amateur Championship, The US Open, and The US Amateur. With the introduction of The PGA in 1916 and The Masters in 1934, eventually the majors were described as The Masters, The US Open, The Open, and The PGA.

The first US Open had to take second stage to the US Amateur as it was played at the same course and on the same week. The place where this historic event took place was at the 9-hole Newport Golf and Country Club, Rhode Island. As was normal in the late 1800's, the championship was played over 4 rounds of the 9-holes all on the same day. The field was only 10 professionals and one amateur and the event was won by an Englishman - Horace Rawlins who took home a prize of $150.

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.

The US Open's popularity really took off after spectator tickets were sold for the first time in 1922. This almost coincided with the amazing career of an amateur golfer from Georgia, Bobby Jones who won in 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930. The second big rise in popularity was in 1954 when the US Open was televised for the first time on national television. But it wasn't until 1977 that all 18-holes of the final two rounds had live coverage and 1982 that the first two rounds were broadcast live.

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.

I am sure another player will be joining these legends of golf soon; Tiger Woods who won his third US Open in 2008 still has many years to make it four or even more. Another startling fact is that a European has not won the US Open since 1970 when Tony Jacklin won his first and only title (he also won The Open in 1969.) England's Lee Westwood had a great chance to break the 38 year European drought at the 2008 US Open; he needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to force a three way playoff but he unfortunately missed.

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.

Since 1911 Americans have largely dominated the event, winning the event 78 times. South Africans have had the best record since the end of the British domination, with 5 wins. Other nations that have had a win or two since 1911 are Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, England, and Scotland. As a Scotsman, I have to ask myself what has happened to Scottish golf since 1910. The last Scotsman to win the US Open was Willie MacFarlane in 1925 and the last one to win a major on American soil was Sandy Lyle at The Masters in 1988.

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Author Mick Euan Tait is a golfer, golf fan, and golf writer. Visit his website for more interesting facts about golf tournaments.
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