logo
Past winners of U.S. Opens at Oakmont include several of golf's biggest names

Past winners of U.S. Opens at Oakmont include several of golf's biggest names

USA Todaya day ago

Past winners of U.S. Opens at Oakmont include several of golf's biggest names
Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh will host its 10th U.S. Open on June 12-15, and it has produced several big-name winners in past tournaments including Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Dustin Johnson.
Originally designed by Henry Fownes and opened in 1903, the private Oakmont has seen numerous renovations over the decades, most recently by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner in 2023. Oakmont was rated in 2024 by Golfweek's Best as No. 6 among all classic courses in the United States. It is widely considered to be among the most difficult golf courses in the world, with green speeds that sometimes have to be slowed down for a U.S. Open.
The total par at Oakmont has changed over the years, and that is reflected in the winning scores in the previous nine U.S. Opens there. Never a pushover, it's still one of the few courses in the world where a winning score can be over par, especially when the course plays firm and fast.
Besides the U.S. Open, Oakmont also hosted three PGA Championships (1922 won by Gene Sarazen, 1951 won by Sam Snead and 1978 won by John Mahaffey). It hosted the U.S. Women's Open twice (1992 won by Patty Sheehan and 2010 won by Paula Creamer) as well as six U.S. Amateurs.
Keep scrolling to see each of the winners of previous U.S. Opens at Oakmont.
U.S. Open 1927 winner Tommy Armour
Winning score: 78-71-76-76–301 (+13)
Second place: Harry Cooper 301 (+13)
18-hole playoff: Armour 76, Cooper 79
Winner's prize: $500
Of note: Armour made a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation to force a playoff, then birdied the first hole of a playoff that was fought tooth and nail for 15 holes until Cooper made double-bogey on the par-3 16th to give Armour a two-shot lead that he wouldn't relinquish.
U.S. Open 1935 winner Sam Parks Jr.
Winning score: 77-73-73-76–299 (+11)
Second place: Jimmy Thomson 301 (+13)
Winner's prize: $1,000
Of note: Parks was a 25-year-old club pro at nearby South Hills Country Club with no prior professional wins. Parks played a practice round at Oakmont every day for a month in preparation. Parks led after three rounds and tied for the lowest round of the final day among the top contenders.
U.S. Open 1953 winner Ben Hogan
Winning score: 67-72-73-71–283 (-5)
Second place: Sam Snead 289 (+1)
Winner's prize: $5,000
Of note: Hogan led by three shots after the opening round and maintained the lead after both the second and third rounds. Hogan led Snead by a shot entering the final round, but Snead couldn't keep pace and closed in 76. It was Hogan's fourth and final U.S. Open title. Hogan had won the Masters earlier that year, and he added the British Open later that summer to become the only man to have won all three titles in one year. Hogan skipped the PGA Championship that year because it conflicted with the British Open on the calendar, preventing Hogan an opportunity at the modern professional Grand Slam.
U.S. Open 1962 winner Jack Nicklaus
Winning score: 72-70-72-69–283 (-1)
Second place: Arnold Palmer 283 (-1)
18-hole playoff: Nicklaus 71, Palmer 74
Winner's prize: $17,500
Of note: This Open marked a seismic shift in the game, with a young titan unseating the King. The 22-year-old Nicklaus was the underdog, and the Pennsylvania-born Palmer had a strong local following. Palmer bogeyed the first in the 18-hole playoff and couldn't keep pace on the front nine, falling three shots behind at the turn and unable to mount a charge on the back nine.
U.S. Open 1973 winner Johnny Miller
Winning score: 71-69-76-63–279 (-5)
Second place: John Schlee 280 (-4)
Winner's prize: $35,000
Of note: Miller started the final round six shots back of a four-way tie for first that included Arnold Palmer, Julius Boros, Schlee and Jerry Heard. Also in front of him was Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, among others. Miller's closing 63 set a tournament scoring record that was matched half a dozen times but not surpassed until Rickie Fowler shot a 62 at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023 that was matched later that same day by Xander Schauffele.
U.S. Open 1983 winner Larry Nelson
Winning score: 75-73-65-67–280 (-4)
Second place: Tom Watson 281 (-3)
Winner's prize: $72,000
Of note: Nelson charged into contention in the third round, playing his final 14 holes Saturday in 7 under par to get within a shot of co-leaders Watson and Seve Ballesteros. Ballesteros faltered midway through the final round, playing the closing 12 holes in 5 over. Watson held a three-shot lead at -6 at the turn in the final round, but he played the back nine in 3 over while Nelson came home in 1 under par on the back nine to grab the title.
U.S. Open 1994 winner Ernie Els
Winner's score: 69-71-66-73–279 (-5)
Second place: Colin Montgomerie, Loren Roberts 279 (-5)
Winner's prize: $320,000
Playoff: Els 74, Roberts 74, Montgomerie 78
Of note: In sudden death – just the second sudden death playoff in U.S. Open history – Els and Roberts both parred the first hole (No. 10), then Els parred the second (No. 11) and Roberts made bogey from a greenside bunker. Els was just 24 years old for this victory, his first of four in major championships and also his first of 19 victories on the PGA Tour.
U.S. Open 2007 winner Angel Cabrera
Winning score: 69-71-76-69–285 (+5)
Second place: Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods +6 286
Winner's prize: $1,260,000
Of note: Tied with Woods for the lead halfway through the final round, Cabrera shot even par on the back nine with two birdies against two bogeys to hold off Woods and Furyk. Woods, in particular, ran a bit cold in the final round, making just one birdie in shooting a 2-over 72.
U.S. Open 2016 winner Dustin Johnson
Winning score: 67-69-71-69–276 (-4)
Second place: Jim Furyk, Shane Lowry, Scott Piercy 279 (-1)
Winner's prize: $1,800,000
Of note: Johnson entered the final round four shots behind Lowry, but Lowry made seven bogeys in the final round and Johnson passed him midway through the back nine. After several close calls in major championships, this was Johnson's first victory on one of the game's biggest stages. The victory wasn't without some controversy, however, as Johnson was the recipient of a favorable ruling on No. 5 in the final round – he had approached his ball to putt and the ball moved, but Johnson told the rules official he had not addressed the shot and was allowed to continue without penalty.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Plum neighbors transform yards into parking lots during U.S. Open
Plum neighbors transform yards into parking lots during U.S. Open

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Plum neighbors transform yards into parking lots during U.S. Open

Call it a makeshift business district of sorts: some neighbors in Plum have turned their yards and driveways into parking lots. They live less than a mile from the Oakmont Country Club, the site of the 125th U.S. Open, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend. 'It's cool to have this big national event in our backyard,' said Shawn McGregor, who has lived in his house on Hulton Road for five years. With the U.S. Open came an opportunity for McGregor and other homeowners who live in his neighborhood. Many of them are selling driveway and yard space for golf fans to park their cars, offering daily rates the week leading up to the championship rounds. 'Not everybody has a 250,000-person event in their backyard, so we saw it as an opportunity to do something entrepreneurial as a family,' McGregor said. He's referring to his 6-year-old son, Max, a businessman in the making who is embracing this week to the fullest. He opened up his own temporary pro shop, selling bubble gum, rain ponchos, candy, sunscreen and more. 'We're not sure what to expect our first time around, but it's been fun,' McGregor said. 'As the week goes on, it gets busier and busier. We're all going to run out of space.' In the meantime, Max is doing his best to cash in: the perfect summer job before heading off to first grade. 'I want to keep this up for maybe a lemonade stand or something like this – that, if it's really hot. Something like that,' Max said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Will Bryson DeChambeau leave LIV Golf? He's got 1 year to make a decision
Will Bryson DeChambeau leave LIV Golf? He's got 1 year to make a decision

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Will Bryson DeChambeau leave LIV Golf? He's got 1 year to make a decision

Bryson DeChambeau has one more year on his contract with LIV Golf. That much is clear. What's not is his future. Speaking at Oakmont Country Club on Tuesday, where he's prepping to defend his U.S. Open championship, DeChambeau confirmed that his contract with LIV runs out at the end of next season, and that he's currently in negotiations on a new deal. Advertisement "We're looking to negotiate end of this year, and I'm very excited," DeChambeau said. "They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I believe we'll come to some sort of resolution on that. Super excited for the future." He should be, because if LIV wants to keep him, it's going to have to dig very deep into the pockets of the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Three years ago nearly to the day, DeChambeau — who theretofore had publicly declared his allegiance to the PGA Tour — announced he was leaving for LIV. For the Saudi-backed tour, it was a coup, landing the game's most enigmatic figure. For DeChambeau, it was a massive financial haul, worth reportedly north of $125 million. Advertisement He wouldn't be the only one raking in huge financial gains from LIV — Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson and others have benefitted from the near-trillion-dollar Saudi Public Investment Fund — but he's inarguably the only golfer who's actually raised his profile since making the move to the upstart tour. Whereas Rahm's star has faded, DeChambeau, via his embrace of social media and his reverse heel turn on the course from nerdy villain to man of the people, has emerged as one of the most popular golfers on the planet. He's also upped his game when it matters most — at the majors. He won the U.S. Open for a second time last year and has six top-10 finishes in his last nine major starts. So while the lack of eyeballs, tradition and general ambivalence to LIV Golf has turned Rahm, Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and every other big-name player who took the bag to join LIV into an afterthought, DeChambeau has never been more front and center. That's what makes his next move so interesting. Advertisement He doesn't appear to miss playing on the PGA Tour quite like Rahm, who outwardly praises LIV but reportedly has regrets over his decision to take the money and run. Regardless of what Rahm's future is, DeChambeau is LIV's blue-chip player — the one guy it probably can't let get away. To this point, LIV is losing in its years-long battle with the PGA Tour. The PIF's deep pockets have kept it afloat — and can keep it afloat as long as the Saudis remain interested — but if the tour is going to gain any relevance, it needs DeChambeau to stay put. Losing him would mean more than just losing its most popular player; it would signal to everyone else — players and golf fans alike — that LIV isn't anything more than a place to cash a paycheck. To that end, DeChambeau is playing the negotiating game he needs to play, one that could extend the wealth he's already accumulated for a few dozen more generations. If he were to skip town and return to the PGA Tour, he'd have to sit out a season, per the Tour's current stated policy regarding LIV players. If he sticks around, he'll become the highest paid player in golf. These are his options.

Rory McIlroy's US Open Practice Round Review Will Strike Fear
Rory McIlroy's US Open Practice Round Review Will Strike Fear

Newsweek

time44 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Rory McIlroy's US Open Practice Round Review Will Strike Fear

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There is a reason Oakmont Country Club is known as one of the toughest tests in golf. Ask Rory McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open winner, because he knows how difficult this track is. McIlroy is looking to join the likes of Ben Hogan this week with a seventh straight top 10 finish at the U.S. Open. Ahead of the season's third major championship, the reigning Masters champion dropped a stunning reaction to his practice round last Monday at Oakmont. "Last Monday felt impossible. I birdied the last two holes for 81," McIlroy said. "It felt pretty good. It didn't feel like I played that bad." Rory McIlroy just said he birdied the last two holes during his scouting trip at Oakmont last week just to shoot 81. — Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) June 10, 2025 For McIlroy to feel like he played well and still shoot 81 shows how difficult the USGA has set up this golf course. "Even though Gil [Hanse] has come in here and done his thing, it's still a big brute of a golf course," he explained. "You're going to have to have your wits about you this week throughout the bag, off the tee, into the greens, around the greens. Look, everyone knows what to expect. It's Oakmont. It's going to be a great test." McIlroy played historically poorly last week at the RBC Canadian Open. He shot a 78 to miss the cut and post his worst 36-hole finish on the PGA Tour. OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 10, 2025 in Oakmont,... OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 10, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. More Photo byThe Northern Irishman has not driven the ball well since the USGA deemed his driver non-conforming ahead of the PGA Championship. To succeed at Oakmont, players must hit fairways and hit as many as possible. The rough will be brutal. McIlroy knows this, so to combat his driver woes, he spent last weekend testing more big sticks out to find his next gamer. "Every driver sort of has its own character, and you're trying to manage the misses," McIlroy noted. "I think I learnt a lot on Thursday and Friday last week and did a good bit of practice at home, and feel like I'm in a better place with everything going into this week." What did he learn? In typical Rory fashion, he flat out said, "I learned that I wasn't using the right driver," causing the whole room to laugh. McIlroy returned the TaylorMade Qi10 to his bag after using the Qi35 in Canada. Rory McIlroy out on the course this morning @usopengolf with the @TaylorMadeGolf Qi10 driver. 📸 — Alistair Cameron (@ACameronPGATOUR) June 10, 2025 Only time will tell if the switch will pay off. He did have the Qi10 in the bag for all three of his wins this year, including when he completed the career grand slam at Augusta National. McIlroy will tee off alongside two European Ryder Cup teammates in Shane Lowry and Justin Rose. They go off on Thursday at 7:40 a.m. ET and 1:25 p.m. ET on Friday. More Golf: US Open 2025: All 156 Golfers Ranked by Chances at Oakmont

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store