The U.S. Open Championship these days has become the symbol of quality in modern golf. Players participate in the event to prove their worth and to be crowned as the victors of the game. This year’s U.S. Open will tee off on the 14th of June. However, the main event will only start when the first three days of practice are done and dusted.
The first U.S. Open took place on 4 October 1895. It was organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in Newport (R.I.) Golf and Country Club and comprised of a mere 9-hole course.
In reality, the original U.S. Open was just a shadow tournament alongside the U.S. Amateur tournament. Who would have thought back then that this would become an attention divider on the global level? Now, it’s considered one of the four majors in golf.
In the first U.S. Open, there were 11 participants in the tournament out of which only ten were pros and one was an amateur player. It was a 36-hole competition, which was won by Englishman Horace Rawlins. The total award for the competition consisted of $335 and Rawlins took the first prize of $150. Along with that, a gold medal along with the U.S. Open Cup was awarded in the first year.
British professionals brought the sport to America; therefore the first U.S. Open was most popular with American amateurs. The U.S. Open soon became a Championship and the first American to win was Young John J. McDermott in 1911.
The U.S. Open took a sudden turn for popularity in 1913, when American golfer Francis Ouimet at aged 20 beat English veterans Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff. This tournament began the era of spectacular careers, which redefined the game and took it to newer heights. These players include Bob Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Willie Anderson who played the game with an exceptional spirit. All these players have won the U.S. Open for a record number of four times. Amongst the last amateurs to win the U.S. Open Championship, John Goodman performed exceptionally well in 1933 to clinch the trophy.
The U.S. Open has continuous run since its inception with the only exceptions coming between the years1917-1918 and 1942-1945 due to the World Wars. During the course of time, there were many changes that had been accommodated in the tournament thus far. For instance in 1954, the tournament was roped from tee to green. It also marked the year when the tournament was broadcast live for the first time in its history.
The layout of the tournament has also evolved with time. There were 72 holes approved by the USGA in 1898; making the 36-holes tournament span over a period of two days. In 1926, the format was changed to three days with 18-holes being played on the first two and 36 on the third. The current system of playing 18-holes in four days is in play since 1965.
This year, the majestic Pebble Beach becomes the host for the 2010 U.S. Open. Surrounded by beautiful views of land and sea from all around, it will be quite a tournament to witness. As all courses have their own unique character and history, this one does too. It has constantly confounded players with changing winds and the level of planes. The U.S. Open has previously occurred here in 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2000. This year 15,000 bleacher seats will be available along with a six-mile protective fencing around the championship grounds. This event will have massive media coverage too, with 1,500 media representatives from 40 countries participating.
The U.S. Open 2010 has already created a great hype for this year. Considering the fact that if Phil Mickelson is able to take over Tiger Woods’ number one spot, the upcoming edition is sure to bring a lot of surprises. Woods is currently resting due to an injury to his wrist and Mickelson’s expected win at Saw grass will be considered to be doubtful, largely due to the absence of Tiger Woods from the tournament.
Tags: