124th US Open Is The USGA’s 1000th Championship

124th US Open Is The USGA’s 1000th Championship

This year, the US Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for the 124th playing of the national championship.

Notably, it is also the 1,000th championship that the USGA has conducted.

The US Open has been played every year since 1895, with the exception of the war years of 1917-1918 and 1942 – 1945.

The first winner of the US Open was Horace Rawlins of England, who won at the Newport Country Club.

The first American winner was John McDermott, who won in 1911. At age 19, he also remains the youngest.

McDermott is a tragic case. After winning the US Open in 1911 and 1912 and competing well in other championships, he suffered a mental breakdown and spent most of the rest of his life in hospitals.

The oldest player to win a US Open was Hale Irwin at age 45. He was playing on a special exemption in 1990 when he took home the title. Irwin also won in 1974 and 1975.

Irwin won 45 Champions Tour events later in his career. An all-around athlete, Irwin played football at the University of Colorado, and was a two-time All Big Eight defensive back. He won the individual NCAA Championship in golf in 1967.

Along with Jack Nicklaus (who won four US Opens), Irwin might be the greatest overall athlete the sport has seen. In addition to golf, Nicklaus played football, baseball, tennis and track and field in high school. He was good enough at football and basketball to attract college recruiting interest.

Memorable U.S. Open Championships

1913 U.S. Open – Francis Ouimet’s U.S. Open victory puts golf on the front page of newspapers and inspired a new generation of Americans to take up the game. The book and movie The Greatest Game are based on that championship.

1950 U.S. Open – Sixteen months after a near-fatal car accident, Ben Hogan wins the U.S. Open in a playoff at Merion Golf Club.

1960 U.S. Open – Arnold Palmer erases a seven-stroke final-round deficit, the largest comeback in U.S. Open history, to win at Cherry Hills Country Club.

1962 U.S. Open – Jack Nicklaus outduels Arnold Palmer in a playoff at Oakmont Country Club – the first of 18 professional majors by the Golden Bear.

2000 U.S. Open – Tiger Woods wins the first of his three U.S. Opens by 15 strokes at Pebble Beach, a record that still remains as the largest margin of victory in a men’s major championship.

2008 U.S. Open – Tiger Woods wins the U.S. Open in a playoff at Torrey Pines Golf Course, earning his ninth USGA title, tying Bob Jones for most all-time.

Who Is Playing The 2024 US Open At Pinehurst?

Among the 156 golfers in the 2024 U.S. Open Championship, there are:

U.S. Open champions (14): Wyndham Clark (2023), Bryson DeChambeau (2020), Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), Lucas Glover (2009), Dustin Johnson (2016), Martin Kaymer (2014), Brooks Koepka (2017, ‘18), Rory McIlroy (2011), Jon Rahm (2021), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015), Gary Woodland (2019) and Tiger Woods (2000, ’02, ’08)

U.S. Open runners-up (13): Jason Day (2011, ’13), Tommy Fleetwood (2018), Rickie Fowler (2014), Brian Harman (2017), Dustin Johnson (2015), Brooks Koepka (2019), Shane Lowry (2016), Hideki Matsuyama (2017), Rory McIlroy (2023), Phil Mickelson (1999, 2002, ’04, ’06, ’09, ’13), Scottie Scheffler (2022), Tiger Woods (2005, ‘07) and Will Zalatoris (2022)

U.S. Amateur champions (10): Byeong Hun An (2009), Sam Bennett (2022), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Nick Dunlap (2023), Matt Fitzpatrick (2013), Viktor Hovland (2018), Matt Kuchar (1997), Phil Mickelson (1990), Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Tiger Woods (1994, ’95, ’96)

U.S. Amateur runners-up (3): Patrick Cantlay (2011), Corey Conners (2014) and a-Neal Shipley (2023)

U.S. Junior Amateur champions (8): Nick Dunlap (2021), Brian Harman (2003), a-Bryan Kim (2023), Min Woo Lee (2016), Scottie Scheffler (2013), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11), Tiger Woods (1991, ’92, ’93) and Will Zalatoris (2014)

U.S. Junior Amateur runners-up (2): Akshay Bhatia (2018) and Justin Thomas (2010)

U.S. Mid-Amateur champions (1): a-Stewart Hagestad (2016, ‘21, ‘23)

U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champions (1): Frankie Capan III (2017)

U.S. Amateur Public Links runners-up (2): John Chin (2008), Nick Taylor (2009)

USGA champions (28): Byeong Hun An (2009 U.S. Amateur), Sam Bennett (2022 U.S. Amateur), Frankie Capan III (2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball), Wyndham Clark (2023 U.S. Open), Bryson DeChambeau (2015 U.S. Amateur, 2020 U.S. Open), Nick Dunlap (2021 U.S. Junior Amateur, 2023 U.S. Amateur), Matt Fitzpatrick (2013 U.S. Amateur, 2022 U.S. Open), Lucas Glover (2009 U.S. Open), a-Stewart Hagestad (2016, ’21, ’23 U.S. Mid-Amateur), Brian Harman (2003 U.S. Junior Amateur), Viktor Hovland (2018 U.S. Amateur), Dustin Johnson (2016 U.S. Open), Martin Kaymer (2014 U.S. Open), a-Bryan Kim (2023 U.S. Junior Amateur), Brooks Koepka (2017, ’18 U.S. Open), Matt Kuchar (1997 U.S. Amateur), Min Woo Lee (2016 U.S. Junior Amateur), Rory McIlroy (2011 U.S. Open), Phil Mickelson (1990 U.S. Amateur), Edoardo Molinari (2005 U.S. Amateur), Jon Rahm (2021 U.S. Open), Justin Rose (2013 U.S. Open), Scottie Scheffler (2013 U.S. Junior Amateur), Webb Simpson (2012 U.S. Open), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11 U.S. Junior Amateurs, 2015 U.S. Open), Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open), Tiger Woods (1991, ’92, ’93 U.S. Junior Amateur, 1994, ’95, ’96 U.S. Amateur, 2000, ’02, ’08 U.S. Open) and Will Zalatoris (2014 U.S. Junior Amateur)

Walker Cup Team members:
United States (32): Akshay Bhatia (2018), Patrick Cantlay (2011), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Nick Dunlap (2023), Austin Eckroat (2021), Harris English (2011), Rickie Fowler (2007, ’09), Lucas Glover (2001), a-Stewart Hagestad (2017, ’19, ’21, ’23), Brian Harman (2005, ’09), Russell Henley (2011), Max Homa (2013), Billy Horschel (2007), Beau Hossler (2015), a-Ben James (2023), Dustin Johnson (2007), Chris Kirk (2007), Matt Kuchar (1999), Denny McCarthy (2015), McClure Meissner (2021), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’91), Collin Morikawa (2017), Isaiah Salinda (2019), a-Gordon Sargent (2023), Scottie Scheffler (2017), Webb Simpson (2007), Jordan Spieth (2011), Justin Thomas (2013), Davis Thompson (2021), Tiger Woods (1995), Brandon Wu (2019) and Will Zalatoris (2017)

Great Britain and Ireland (6): Matt Fitzpatrick (2013), Tommy Fleetwood (2009), Grant Forrest (2015), Robert MacIntyre (2017), Rory McIlroy (2007) and Justin Rose (1997)

NCAA Division I champions (6): Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Max Homa (2013), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’90, ’92), Gordon Sargent (2022), Hiroshi Tai (2024) and Tiger Woods (1995)

World Amateur Team Championship competitors (50): Ludvig Åberg (2022, Sweden), Sam Bairstow (2022, England), Corey Conners (2012, 2014, Canada), Cameron Davis (2016, Australia), a-Santiago De la Fuente (2022, 2023 Mexico), Bryson DeChambeau (2014, USA), Thomas Detry (2010, 2012, 2014, Belgium), Nick Dunlap (2023, USA), Nicolas Echavarria (2016, Colombia), Grant Forrest (2014, 2016, Scotland), Rickie Fowler (2008, USA), Ryan Fox (2010, New Zealand), Sergio Garcia (1996, 1998, Spain), Emiliano Grillo (2008, 2010 Argentina), Nicolai Højgaard (2018, Denmark), Billy Horschel (2008, USA), Beau Hossler (2014, USA), Viktor Hovland (2016, 2018, Norway), Mackenzie Hughes (2012, Canada), Takumi Kanaya (2016, 2018, Japan), Sung Kang (2006, Republic of Korea), Martin Kaymer (2004, Germany), Si Woo Kim (2012, Republic of Korea), Matt Kuchar (1998, USA), Min Woo Lee (2018, Australia), Shane Lowry (2008, Ireland), Robert MacIntyre (2016, Scotland), Hideki Matsuyama (2008, 2012 Japan), Denny McCarthy (2014, USA), a-Ashton McCulloch (2023, Canada), Rory McIlroy (2006, Ireland), Adrian Meronk (2012, 2014, 2016, Poland), Phil Mickelson (1990, USA), Edoardo Molinari (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, Italy), Francesco Molinari (2002, 2004, Italy), Collin Morikawa (2018, USA), Alex Noren (2004, Sweden), Taylor Pendrith (2014, Canada), Victor Perez (2014, France), David Puig (2022, Spain), Jon Rahm (2014, Spain), a-Gordon Sargent (2022, USA), Scottie Scheffler (2016, USA), Cameron Smith (2012, Australia), Adam Svensson (2014, Canada), a-Hiroshi Tai (2022, 2023, Singapore), Nick Taylor (2008, Canada), Justin Thomas (2012, USA), Tim Widing (2018, Sweden), Tiger Woods (1994, USA)

TOTAL U.S. OPENS WON BY 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD (17): Wyndham Clark (1), Bryson DeChambeau (1), Matt Fitzpatrick (1), Lucas Glover (1), Dustin Johnson (1), Martin Kaymer (1), Brooks Koepka (2), Rory McIlroy (1), Jon Rahm (1), Justin Rose (1), Webb Simpson (1), Jordan Spieth (1) Gary Woodland (1) and Tiger Woods (3)

PLAYERS IN FIELD WITH MOST U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2024): Phil Mickelson (33), Sergio Garcia (25), Adam Scott (23), Tiger Woods (23), Matt Kuchar (21), Justin Rose (19), Dustin Johnson (17), Lucas Glover (16), Martin Kaymer (16) and Rory McIlroy (16)

ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2024): Sergio Garcia (25), Adam Scott (23), Dustin Johnson (17), Rory McIlroy (16) and Justin Rose (14).

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD – The USGA accepted 10,052 entries, the third-highest total in U.S. Open history. The 156-player field includes 84 fully exempt golfers, 14 of whom are champions.

AMATEURS – Sixteen amateurs have made the 156-player field. Neal Shipley, the 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up, and Gordon Sargent, who received last year’s Mark H. McCormack Medal as the leading player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®, are in this group.

Shipley was the runner-up to Nick Dunlap in last year’s U.S. Amateur 36-hole final at Cherry Hills Country Club, in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. Shipley, a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection at Ohio State University this year, helped the Buckeyes advance to the NCAA semifinal round. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native posted six top-10 finishes, including a win in the Southwestern Invitational.

Gordon Sargent, of Birmingham, Ala., earned All-America and All-Southeastern Conference honors for the third time as a junior at Vanderbilt University. In 2023, he was a member of the victorious USA Walker Cup Team and helped the USA capture the Eisenhower Trophy in the World Amateur Team Championship. Sargent owns six career victories as a collegian, including the 2022 NCAA Championship.

Santiago De la Fuente is the second Latin America Amateur champion to earn a full exemption into the U.S. Open. He became the second Mexican to win the LAAC title in January with a 72-hole score of 10-under 270, including a final-round 64. De la Fuente, who tied for second in the LAAC the previous year, was chosen second-team All-American as a senior at the University of Houston in 2023-24.

Stewart Hagestad, of Newport Beach, Calif., defeated Evan Beck, 3 and 2, to win the 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur title at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, in Scarborough, N.Y. He also won the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2016 and 2021. Hagestad, who has been a member of four winning USA Walker Cup Teams, joined a select company of golfers who have won the same USGA championship three or more times. That group includes four-time U.S. Open champions Ben Hogan, Bob Jones and Jack Nicklaus.

Bryan Kim, of Brookeville, Md., and Hiroshi Tai, of Singapore, earned exemptions into the U.S. Open as the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and 2024 NCAA Division I champion, respectively. Kim, who just completed his freshman year at Duke University, defeated Joshua Bai, 2 up, to win at Daniel Island Club, in Charleston, S.C. Tai, a rising junior, became the fourth Georgia Tech golfer to claim an NCAA individual crown.

Ben James, of Milford, Conn., Luke Clanton, of Hialeah, Fla., and Sargent finished in a six-way tie for second at NCAAs, one stroke behind champion Tai. James, a sophomore at the University of Virginia, and Clanton, a sophomore at Florida State University, earned first-team All-America recognition in 2023-24. James was a member of last year’s winning USA Walker Cup Team.

Parker Bell (Florida), Gunnar Broin (Kansas), Jackson Buchanan (Illinois), Omar Morales (UCLA), Ashton McCulloch (Michigan State), Brendan Valdes (Auburn) and Wells Williams (Mississippi) are all college golfers. Colin Prater, 29, of Colorado Springs, Colo. is a high school science teacher and golf coach.

Note: Nineteen amateurs played in last year’s U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club. Four amateurs made the 36-hole cut for the third time since 2019. John Goodman is the last amateur to win the championship (1933).