The US Open golf tournament is the second oldest of the modern golf majors, having started in 1895, 30 years after the first British Open. The golf majors initially consisted of The (British) Open, The Amateur Championship (British), The US Open, and The US Amateur Championship. Even though The PGA started in 1916 and The Masters in 1934, it wasn't until about 1960 that the modern day golf majors were known as The Masters, The US Open, The Open, and The PGA.
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.
There have been various formats of The US Open since the original 36-holes in one day. The first change made by the USGA was in 1898, when the format was 72 holes played over two days. The next major change was in 1926 when the 72 holes was divided into a 3 day event - 2 days of 18 holes and a final day of 36 holes. The format that we know today was implemented in 1965 which is four days of 18 holes each.
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.
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.
Author Mick Euan Tait is a golfer, golf fan, and golf writer. Check out his website for more interesting facts about .
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