US Open Championship History

The first ever US Open took place in 1895 and was played at the nine-hole Newport Golf and Country club in Rhode Island USA. It was played over 36 holes and a total of 11 players took part. The eventual winner was an English player named Horace Rawlins with a score of 173. For the next three years, the US Open maintained the same format of four rounds around a nine-hole golf course before moving to four rounds around an 18-hole course in 1898, the format that is maintained still today.

Despite very modest beginnings the US Open really begin to capture the interest of the American people during the early part of the 20th century. The US Open Championship had been dominated by professional golfers from England and Scotland playing amongst American amateurs, until an American amateur named John McDermott won the Championship in 1911 and again in 1912. This victory kick started dominance from American players which has been maintained ever since, with home born players winning 84 US Open Championships since 1911.

The US Open was first opened up to spectators in 1922 at the Skokie Country Club, Illinois but it was the preceding years that would really spark interest from the general public. Between 1923 and 1930, US amateur Bob Jones won the US Open Championship four times and as his style of play impressed fans the profile of the competition increased.

The US Open is now firmly established as one of the best known golf championships in the world has been one of the four majors since the inception of professional golf during the 1950s. Over the years, some of the best known names in the history of golf have had their name inscribed on the US Open trophy.

Famous US Open Winners

Probably the most famous golfer of them all, Jack Nicklaus, won the US Open a joint record four times during his career which saw him play in 44 consecutive Championships between 1957 and 2000. Other US Open players who have won the four times include Willie Anderson, Bob Jones and Ben Hogan. Nicklaus was very unlucky not to make it five victories in the US Open when getting beat to Lee Trevino in the 1971 Championship.

In more recent memory, Hale Irwin won the Championship a total of three times between 1974 and 1990 and on his final victory become the oldest ever US Open champion at the age of 45.

Three players head in to the 2008 US Open with a chance of making it three Championship wins. Retief Goosen has played well in recent US Open Championships, winning in 2001 and 2004 and will again be fancied to register a big performance at Torrey Pines.

Another South African, Ernie Els threatened to dominate the title when winning it in 1994 and 1997 but has since failed to make an impact. The Big Easy can never be ruled out and it would be no surprise to see him come back to form at the 2008 US Open. Jim Furyk was the last American to win in 2003.