Golf is a popular game and as such, one can expect that it has plenty of tournaments which are as huge as corresponding tournaments in other sports, like tennis grand slams or football continental tournaments and the world cup.
In the world of golf, they are called majors, or major championships. They are played in the United States and the United Kingdom, or rather, Scotland. One of these tournaments, named the US Open, is a rather popular tournament and one of three which is played in the United States.
Here is more about the tournament.
The Start of the US Open – The First Years
The US Open started as a small tournament with ten professionals and a single amateur player. Of those players, a British man named Horace Rawlins, 21 at the time, won the inaugural US Open. The first even US Open was played in 1895.
It was played at the Newport County Club in Rhode Island. It was a 36 hole tournament on a course with 9 holes. The tournament was played in a single day. The first place prize was 150 US dollars out of a hefty prize pool of 335. Horace also won a gold medal and the Open Championship trophy.
The first couple of years, until 1911, the US Open was mainly won by British or British-born golfers. After 1911, American golfers started winning, the first of which was John J. McDermott.
The Rise of American Players
After McDermott’s win in 1911, the game changed, or rather, the winners did. From 1911 until 2009, there were only 18 non American winners, which completely compensates and makes up for the lack of American winners prior to 1911.
McDermott was tied for first after the regular 18 holes. However, given the rules at the time, an 18 hole playoff took place, between McDermott, Mike Brady and a Scotsman, George Simpson. McDermott had a hefty lead but Brady caught up. The match would be decided at the final hole, for maximum suspense.
The US Open Today
Nowadays, the US Open is going to have its 121st edition in June, Torrey Pines, San Diego, California. It has had plenty of winners, the latest being Bryson DeChambeau, another American.
The 2020 edition was particularly interesting, because it was one of few sports events which actually took place, due to a global pandemic. The tournament is still set for 2021, making it one of the most successful tournaments, especially having in mind the conditions.
The US Open has a rich history and is one of the four major championships in golf. It has had 120 editions with the 121st pending, in June of 2021.