US Senior Open Winners and History
As far as Majors go, the US Senior Open is a mere babe in arms. First played in 1980, it’s administered by the US Golf Association (USGA). Both the Champions Tour and European Seniors Tour recognize it as a major.
As with the Champions Tour, the US Senior Open’s foundation coincided with Arnold Palmer “aging out” of the regular PGA Tour. The initial age restriction was 55, and at Winged Foot, a who’s who of older golfers playe, including Lew Worsham, Julius Boros, Ed Furgol, Jack Fleck and “Terrible” Tommy Bolt. That first event was won by Argentina’s Roberto De Vicenzo; Palmer won the second.
The following year, the minimum age was lowered to 50, which is the professional standard for the senior tours.
Currently, Allen Doyle is the oldest winner, having won the 2006 Championship just two weeks before his 58th birthday.
Interestingly, players can use a cart if they have a medical exemption.
A complete list of winners follows:
| Year | Champion | Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bernhard Langer | 277 (-7) | 2 strokes |
| 2022 | Padraig Harrington | 274 (-10) | 1 stroke |
| 2021 | Jim Furyk | 3 strokes | |
| 2020 | COVID | ||
| 2019 | Steve Stricker | 261 (-19) | 6 strokes |
| 2018 | David Toms | 277 (-3) | 1 stroke |
| 2017 | Kenny Perry | 264 (-16) | 2 strokes |
| 2016 | Gene Sauers | 277 (-3) | 1 stroke |
| 2015 | Jeff Maggert | 270 (−10) | 2 strokes |
| 2014 | Colin Montgomerie | 279 (−5) | playoff |
| 2013 | Kenny Perry | 267 (−13) | 5 strokes |
| 2012 | Roger Chapman | 270 (−10) | 2 strokes |
| 2011 | Olin Browne | 269 (−15) | 3 strokes |
| 2010 | Bernhard Langer | 272 (−8) | 3 strokes |
| 2009 | Fred Funk | 268 (−20) | 6 strokes |
| 2008 | Eduardo Romero | 274 (−6) | 4 strokes |
| 2007 | Brad Bryant | 282 (−6) | 3 strokes |
| 2006 | Allen Doyle (2) | 272 (−8) | 2 strokes |
| 2005 | Allen Doyle | 274 (−10) | 1 stroke |
| 2004 | Peter Jacobsen | 272 (−12) | 1 stroke |
| 2003 | Bruce Lietzke | 207 (−6) | 2 strokes |
| 2002 | Don Pooley | 274 (−10) | playoff |
| 2001 | Bruce Fleisher | 280 (E) | 1 stroke |
| 2000 | Hale Irwin (2) | 267 (−17) | 3 strokes |
| 1999 | Dave Eichelberger | 281 (−7) | 3 strokes |
| 1998 | Hale Irwin | 285 (+1) | 1 stroke |
| 1997 | Graham Marsh | 280 (E) | 1 stroke |
| 1996 | Dave Stockton | 277 (−11) | 2 strokes |
| 1995 | Tom Weiskopf | 275 (−13) | 4 strokes |
| 1994 | Simon Hobday | 274 (−10) | 1 stroke |
| 1993 | Jack Nicklaus (2) | 278 (−6) | 1 stroke |
| 1992 | Larry Laoretti | 275 (−9) | 4 strokes |
| 1991 | Jack Nicklaus | 282 (+2) | playoff |
| 1990 | Lee Trevino | 275 (−13) | 2 strokes |
| 1989 | Orville Moody | 279 (−9) | 2 strokes |
| 1988 | Gary Player (2) | 288 (E) | playoff |
| 1987 | Gary Player | 270 (−14) | 6 strokes |
| 1986 | Dale Douglass | 279 (−9) | 1 stroke |
| 1985 | Miller Barber (3) | 285 (−3) | 4 strokes |
| 1984 | Miller Barber (2) | 286 (−2) | 2 strokes |
| 1983 | Billy Casper | 288 (+4) | playoff |
| 1982 | Miller Barber | 282 (−2) | 4 strokes |
| 1981 | Arnold Palmer | 289 (+9) | playoff |
| 1980 | Roberto De Vicenzo | 285 (+1) | 4 strokes |
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I’ve always enjoyed going to the US Senior Open. Whenever there is one near me, I try to get out to it. It’s quite an experience to see the greats out there like Palmer, Player, Nicklaus and others.