A Comprehensive Guide to the 2016 U.S. Open: Facts, Records, and Television Coverage & Live Streaming

Are you a U.S. Open super fan?  If you are here's a comprehensive guide to the 2016 championship at Oakmont, including records, figures, and other fun facts about U.S. Open history. 

 

I'll be in Oakmont all week starting Wednesday with tons of coverage, news, and giveaways.  And by the way, my pick to hoist the U.S. Open trophy on Sunday?  He's pictured above.

WHO’S HERE:  Among the 156 golfers in the 2016 U.S. Open, there are: 

12 U.S. Open champions:  Angel Cabrera (2007), Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Jim Furyk (2003), Lucas Glover (2009), Retief Goosen (2001, 2004), Martin Kaymer (2014), Graeme McDowell (2010), Rory McIlroy (2011), Geoff Ogilvy (2006), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), and Jordan Spieth (2015). 

8 U.S. Open runners-up:  Jason Day (2011, 2013), Ernie Els (2000), Rickie Fowler (2014), Jim Furyk (2006, 2007), Dustin Johnson (2015), Graeme McDowell (2012), Phil Mickelson (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013), and Louis Oosthuizen (2015). 

 

7 U.S. Amateur champions:  Byeong Hun An (2009), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013), Matt Kuchar (1997), Danny Lee (2008), Phil Mickelson (1990), and Ryan Moore (2004). 

1 U.S. Senior Open champion:  Jeff Maggert (2015). 

TOTAL U.S. OPENS WON BY 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD (14):  Ernie Els (2), Angel Cabrera (1), Jim Furyk (1), Lucas Glover (1), Retief Goosen (2), Martin Kaymer (1), Graeme McDowell (1), Rory McIlroy (1), Geoff Ogilvy (1), Justin Rose (1), Webb Simpson (1), and Jordan Spieth (1).

PLAYERS IN FIELD WITH MOST U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (2016 included):  Phil Mickelson (26), Ernie Els (24) and Jim Furyk (22).

ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (2016 included):  Ernie Els (24), Phil Mickelson (23) and Jim Furyk (21).

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD 

The USGA accepted 9,877 entries, the third-highest total in U.S. Open history.  The record of 10,127 entries was set in 2014.

The 156-player field includes 76 fully exempt golfers, 12 of whom are past champions.  Local qualifying over 18 holes was held at 111 sites between May 2nd and May 20th.  Sectional qualifying over 36 holes was held at 12 sites.  The Japan and England sectionals were held on May 23rd and May 30th respectively.  Ten sectionals in the United States were conducted on June 6th.

History of U.S. Open Championship Entries
Year                 Number            Host Site
2014                 10,127              Pinehurst No. 2
2015                 9,882                Chambers Bay
2016                 9,877                Oakmont Country Club
2013                 9,860                Merion Golf Club
2009                 9,086                Bethpage State Park (Black Course)
2010                 9,052                Pebble Peach
2005                 9,048                Pinehurst No. 2
2012                 9,006                The Olympic Club (Lake Course)

AMATEURS 

Eleven amateurs made the 156-player field, the fourth consecutive year that 10 or more amateurs are competing. 

Derek Bard, of New Hartford, N.Y., was selected to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference squad for the second consecutive year as a member of the University of Virginia team.  He has played in two U.S. Amateurs and two U.S. Junior Amateurs, advancing to match play in all four championships.  Bard won the 2015 Sunnehanna Amateur by one stroke with a 72-hole score of 12-under 268.  He defeated Rahm in the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Amateur en route to his runner-up finish to Bryson DeChambeau at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. 

Jon Rahm, of Spain, received the Jack Nicklaus Award as the nation’s top collegiate player and became the first player to win the Ben Hogan Award twice.  He won this year’s Pac-12 individual championship and the NCAA Albuquerque Regional.  Rahm, who was medalist in the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship, breaking Nicklaus’ 72-hole scoring record, advanced to the quarterfinals of last year’s U.S. Amateur.

Scottie Scheffler, of Dallas, Texas, helped the University of Texas win this year’s Big 12 Championship and the NCAA Franklin Regional.  He was the Big 12’s top newcomer in 2015. Scheffler won the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur and was a quarterfinalist in the U.S. Amateur that same summer.  His older sister, Callie, is a member of the Texas A&M University golf team. 

 

Nick Hardy, of Northbrook, Ill., helped the University of Illinois claim the 2016 Big Ten Championship and NCAA Kohler Regional.  He was chosen second-team All-Big Ten. Hardy qualified for his first U.S. Open last year and tied for 52nd at Chambers Bay.  He has competed in three U.S. Amateurs and two U.S. Junior Amateurs.

Sam Horsfield, of England, was chosen 2016 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year as a member of the University of Florida team.  Horsfield, a first-team All-American and All-SEC selection, helped the Gators tie for second at the NCAA Kohler Regional.  Horsfield, who has lived in Florida since age 5, has played in 11 USGA championships, including last year’s U.S. Open and three U.S. Amateurs. 

Charlie Danielson, of Osceola, Wis., was chosen 2016 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-American.  Danielson led the University of Illinois to the Big Ten Championship for the seventh time in the last eight years and an NCAA Regional title.  He tied for eighth at this year’s NCAA Championship.  Danielson, a three-time All-America selection, has competed in three U.S. Amateurs and reached match play at the 2014 U.S. Amateur Public Links.

Justin Suh, of San Jose, Calif., helped the University of Southern California make its 10th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.  Suh, who was selected to the All-Pac-12 Conference Freshman Team, advanced to match play in four consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs, from 2011-14.  His sister, Hannah, played in the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open.

Sam Burns, of Shreveport, La., helped Louisiana State University tie for third at the NCAA Franklin Regional as a freshman.  Burns has played in two U.S. Amateurs and advanced to the 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball semifinals with partner Austin Connelly. Burns won three consecutive Louisiana state high school championships.

Kyle Mueller, of Athens, Ga., became the first University of Michigan golfer to earn first-team All-Big 10 Conference honors since 2008. He tied for third at this year’s Big Ten Championship. Mueller reached the Round of 16 in the 2015 U.S. Amateur and defeated stroke-play medalist and top seed Brett Coletta, of Australia, in the first round.

Christopher Crawford, of Bensalem, Pa., is the first Drexel University golfer to play in a U.S. Open.  A three-time All-America selection, Crawford was voted the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Ryan Stachler, of Alpharetta, Ga., is a rising sophomore on the University of South Carolina team.

Note: There have been at least 10 amateurs in nine of the past 10 U.S. Opens.  Sixteen amateurs played in last year’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.  Brian Campbell, who tied for 27th, was the low amateur.  John Goodman was the last amateur to win the championship, in 1933. 

THE U.S. OPEN COURSE 

Oakmont Country Club will play to a par of 35-35-70.  The exact yardage (from tee markers to flagsticks) will be provided on a daily basis for each of the four championship rounds.  The setup will depend on weather/wind conditions and matching certain teeing grounds with certain hole locations. 

 

Designed by Henry Fownes, Oakmont Country Club opened in 1903.  Fownes spent a year building the course on former farmland adjacent to the Allegheny River Valley.  The Pennsylvania Turnpike, which was constructed in the late 1940s, passes through part of the course.  Oakmont was the nation’s first golf course to be recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT OAKMONT 

Oakmont has previously hosted 15 USGA championships.  The U.S. Open was contested here in 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, and 2007.  The U.S. Amateur was conducted at Oakmont in 1919, 1925, 1938, 1969, and 2003.  The U.S. Women’s Open was played at Oakmont in 1992, and 2010.

USGA CHAMPIONS AT OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB
1919 U.S. Amateur: S. Davidson Herron
1925 U.S. Amateur:  Robert T. Jones Jr.
1927 U.S. Open: Tommy Armour
1935 U.S. Open: Sam Parks
1938 U.S. Amateur: William Turnesa
1953 U.S. Open: Ben Hogan
1962 U.S. Open: Jack Nicklaus
1969 U.S. Amateur: Steve Melnyk
1973 U.S. Open: Johnny Miller
1983 U.S. Open: Larry Nelson
1992 U.S. Women’s Open: Patty Sheehan
1994 U.S. Open: Ernie Els
2003 U.S. Amateur: Nick Flanagan
2007 U.S. Open: Angel Cabrera
2010 U.S. Women’s Open: Paula Creamer

PLAYERS WHO PLAYED IN 2007 U.S. OPEN AT OAKMONT (28) 
Here are the players in this year’s field who competed in the 2007 Open at Oakmont (and their finish):  Angel Cabrera (Won), Paul Casey (T10), Luke Donald (MC), Jason Dufner (62), Ernie Els (T51), Jim Furyk (T2), Sergio Garcia (MC), Lucas Glover (MC), Retief Goosen (MC), Peter Hanson (T30), J.J. Henry (T26), Zach Johnson (T45), Soren Kjeldsen (MC), Jason Kokrak (MC), Graeme McDowell (T30), Phil Mickelson (MC), Ryan Moore (MC), Geoff Ogilvy (T42), Justin Rose (T10), Charl Schwartzel (T30), Adam Scott (MC), Jeev Milkha Singh (T36), Brandt Snedeker (T23), Henrik Stenson (MC), Toru Taniguchi (MC), David Toms (T5), Bubba Watson (T5), and Lee Westwood (T36).

PLAYERS WHO PLAYED IN 1994 U.S. OPEN AT OAKMONT (4) 
Here are the players in this year’s field who competed in the 1994 Open at Oakmont (and their finish):  Ernie Els (Won), Jim Furyk (T28), Jeff Maggert (T9) and Phil Mickelson (T47).

HOLE BY HOLE 

Oakmont Country Club will be set up at 7,219 yards and will play to a par of 35-35-70.  The yardage for each round of the championship will vary due to course setup and conditions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE RATING AND SLOPE

Based on the course setup for the championship, the Course Rating is 77.8.  Its Slope Rating is 148. 

LONGEST COURSES IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY 
7,695 yards, Chambers Bay, 2015

7,643 yards, Torrey Pines (South Course), 2008
7,562 yards, Pinehurst No. 2, 2014
7,514 yards, Congressional Country Club (Blue Course), 2011
7,426 yards, Bethpage State Park (Black Course), 2009

LONG PAR 5s 

In 2016, Oakmont Country Club will feature two par 5s that will play more than 600 yards.  Five holes in U.S. Open history have played to more than 660 yards, including Oakmont’s par-5 12th.

LONGEST PAR 5s IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY
671 yards, 16th at The Olympic Club (Lake Course), 3rd rd., 2012
667 yards, 12th at Oakmont, 1st rd., 2007
667 yards, 12th at Oakmont, 1st rd., 2007
667 yards, 12th at Oakmont, 4th rd., 2007
660 yards, 16th at The Olympic Club (Lake Course), 1st rd., 2012
646 yards, 9th at Congressional C.C (Blue Course), 4th rd., 2011
642 yards, 5th at Southern Hills Country Club, 2001
640 yards, 12th at Winged Foot (West Course), 2006
640 yards, 4th at Merion Golf Club (East Course), 1st rd., 2013

LONG PAR 3s 
Oakmont Country Club’s eighth hole played at 300 yards, the longest par 3 in U.S. Open history, in the fourth round of the 2007 U.S. Open. 

 

LONGEST PAR 3s IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY

300 yards, 8th at Oakmont, 4th rd., 2007
281 yards, 8th at Oakmont, 2nd rd., 2007
279 yards, 8th at Oakmont, 3rd rd., 2007
266 yards, 3rd at Merion Golf Club (East Course), 4th rd., 2013
261 yards, 8th at Oakmont, 1st rd., 2007
254 yards, 17th at Merion Golf Club (East Course), 2013
253 yards, 8th at Oakmont, 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962 

LONG PAR 4s 

In 2015, Chambers Bay had six of the seven longest par 4s in U.S. Open history.  Holes 13 and 11 were set up at 551 and 544 yards, respectively, during the second round.

LONGEST PAR 4s IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY
551 yards, 13th at Chambers Bay, 2nd rd., 2015
544 yards, 11th at Chambers Bay, 2nd rd., 2015
542 yards, 4th at Pinehurst No. 2, 3rd rd., 2014
541 yards, 11th at Chambers Bay, 1st rd., 2015
541 yards, 11th at Chambers Bay, 4th rd., 2015
534 yards, 14th at Chambers Bay, 3rd rd., 2015
533 yards, 13th at Chambers Bay, 3rd rd., 2015 

FUTURE U.S. OPENS             

June 15-18, 2017: Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.
June 14-17, 2018: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
June 13-16, 2019: Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links
June 18-21, 2020: Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y.
June 17-20, 2021: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego, Calif.
June 16-19, 2022: The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.
June 15-18, 2023: Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club
June 13-16, 2024: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, Village of Pinehurst, N.C. 

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT THE U.S. OPEN

Martin Kaymer:  last international winner (2014)
Curtis Strange:  last to defend title (1989)
Francis Ouimet:  last winner in his first attempt (1913)
Webb Simpson:  last winner in his second attempt (2012)
Martin Kaymer:  last start-to-finish winner with no ties (2014)
Jordan Spieth:  last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to win by one stroke (2015)
Jordan Spieth:  last winner to birdie the 72nd hole (2015)
Tiger Woods:  last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to force a playoff (2008)
Geoff Ogilvy:  last winner without a round in the 60s (2006)
Rory McIlroy:  last winner with all rounds in the 60s (2011)
Jordan Spieth:  last winner between ages 20-29 (21 in 2015)
Justin Rose:  last winner between ages 30-39 (32 in 2013)
Payne Stewart:  last winner age 40 and higher (42 in 1999)
Martin Kaymer:  last defending champion to miss the cut (2015)
Hale Irwin:  last winner who received a special exemption (1990)
Lucas Glover:  last winner to come through sectional qualifying (2009)
Orville Moody:  last winner to come through local & sectional qualifying (1969)
John Goodman:  last amateur winner (1933) 

 

IN DEFENSE OF THE OPEN (since 2000) 

Year           Champion           Previous Year           Result in Defense

2015          Jordan Spieth           T-17th                   ????
2014          Martin Kaymer        T-59th                   missed cut
2013          Justin Rose               T-21st                   T-12th
2012          Webb Simpson         T-14th                   T-32nd
2011          Rory McIlroy           missed cut             missed cut
2010          Graeme McDowell  T-18th                    T-14th
2009          Lucas Glover           DNP                       T-58th
2008          Tiger Woods            T-2nd                      T-6th
2007          Angel Cabrera         T-26th                     missed cut
2006          Geoff Ogilvy           T-28th                     T-42nd
2005          Michael Campbell   missed cut              missed cut
2004          Retief Goosen          T-42nd                   T-11th
2003          Jim Furyk                 missed cut             T-48th
2002          Tiger Woods            T-12th                     T-20th
2001          Retief Goosen          T-12th                     missed cut
2000          Tiger Woods             T-3rd                      T-12th 

WHAT THE CHAMPION RECEIVES

Among the benefits enjoyed by the U.S. Open winner are:
A U.S. Open exemption for the next 10 years
An invitation to the next five Masters Tournaments
An invitation to the next five Open Championships
An invitation to the next five PGA of America Championships
An invitation to the next five Players Championships
Exempt status on the PGA Tour for five years

QUALIFYING FOR THE OTHER MAJORS          
The top 10 finishers (and ties) are exempt for next year’s (2017) U.S. Open.  The top four finishers (and ties) are invited to next year’s (2017) Masters Tournament.

CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
The first United States Open Championship was won by Horace Rawlins in September 1895, at Newport (R.I.) Country Club.  As the victor, Rawlins earned $150, a gold champion’s medal, and use of the championship sterling silver cup for one year.  The trophy was designated for display at Rawlins’ club until it was presented to the next year’s champion, beginning a perennial rite that has endured for more than a century. 

 

The original two-handled cup was destroyed by fire in September 1946 at Lloyd Mangrum’s home country club, Tam O’Shanter, outside of Chicago.  The USGA considered replacing it with a new design, but opted instead to preserve the look of the original with a full-scale replica on April 24, 1947.  This replica remained in service, passed from champion to champion until 1986, when it was permanently retired to the USGA Museum.  Today, the U.S. Open champion receives possession of the 1986 full-scale replica.

The original U.S. Open Trophy is on display at the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J. 

PAST MAJOR CHAMPIONS 

Danny Willett won his first major championship with a three-stroke victory over Lee Westwood and Jordan Spieth at the 2016 Masters Tournament.  Rory McIlroy and Spieth won consecutive major championships in 2014 and 2015, respectively.  McIlroy became the first player since Padraig Harrington to win consecutive majors with his victories at the 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship.  In 2012, McIlroy won the PGA Championship to end a streak in which 15 players had won the previous 15 major professional golf championships.

Winners in Previous Major Championships
Year                 Winner (Championship)                          Result
2016                 Danny Willett (Masters)                         (-5, 283)
2015                 Jason Day (PGA)                                    (-20, 268)
2015                 Zach Johnson (The Open)                       (-15, 273
2015                 Jordan Spieth (U.S. Open)                      (-5, 275)
2015                 Jordan Spieth (Masters)                          (-18, 270)
2014                 Rory McIlroy (PGA)                              (-16, 268)
2014                 Rory McIlroy (The Open)                      (-17, 271)
2014                 Martin Kaymer (U.S. Open)                   (-9, 271)
2014                 Bubba Watson (Masters)                         (-8, 280)
2013                 Jason Dufner (PGA)                                (-10, 270)
2013                 Phil Mickelson (The Open)                     (-3, 281)
2013                 Justin Rose (U.S. Open)                          (+1, 281)
2013                 Adam Scott (Masters)                              (-9, 279, )
2012                 Rory McIlroy (PGA)                               (-13, 275)
2012                 Ernie Els (The Open)                              (-7, 273)
2012                 Webb Simpson (U.S. Open)                     (+1, 281)
2012                 Bubba Watson (Masters)                         (-10, 278)
2011                 Keegan Bradley (PGA)                           (-8, 272)
2011                 Darren Clarke (The Open)                       (-5, 275)
2011                 Rory McIlroy (U.S. Open)                       (-16, 272)
2011                 Charl Schwartzel (Masters)                     (-14, 274)
2010                 Martin Kaymer (PGA)                             (-11, 277)
2010                 Louis Oosthuizen (The Open)                 (-16, 272)
2010                 Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open)              (E, 284)
2010                 Phil Mickelson (Masters)                         (-16, 272)
2009                 Y.E. Yang (PGA)                                      (-8, 280)
2009                 Stewart Cink (The Open)                         (-2, 278)
2009                 Lucas Glover (U.S. Open)                        (-4, 276)
2009                 Angel Cabrera (Masters)                          (-12, 276)
2008                 Padraig Harrington (PGA)                       (-3, 277)
2008                 Padraig Harrington (The Open)               (+3, 283)
2008                 Tiger Woods (U.S. Open)                         (-1, 283)
2008                 Trevor Immelman (Masters)                     (-8, 280) 

TELEVISION COVERAGE

The U.S. Open will receive at least 50½ hours of network coverage.  Fox and FS1 will air at least 42½ hours of live coverage throughout the championship.  Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, lead analyst Paul Azinger and analyst Brad Faxon anchor the 18th Hole Tower throughout the championship. 

 

Hole announcers Mark Brooks and Steve Flesch and on-course reporters Ken Brown, Juli Inkster, Scott McCarron and Curtis Strange provide insight from a variety of perspectives across Oakmont’s fairways and challenging greens.  Holly Sonders hosts studio coverage alongside Bob Ford, longtime head professional and current director of golf at Oakmont, as well as course design expert Gil Hanse.  Rules analyst David Fay, interviewer Shane Bacon and reporter Jaime Diaz also contribute to broadcast coverage. 

Date                         Network                         Broadcast Hours (Local/EDT)

June 16th & 17th     FS1                                 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
                                 Fox                                 5 p.m to 8 p.m.

June 18th & 19th     Fox                                 11 a.m to 7 p.m.
                                
*If needed, an 18-hole playoff will be scheduled 

In addition, Fox Sports GO live-streams all U.S. Open coverage provided by FS1 and the Fox Broadcast Network, and offers bonus content on three alternate streams created specifically for the championship, presenting more than 110 hours of additional coverage.  The bonus feeds include two channels following four separate featured groups (two each) and a channel dedicated to featured holes, available daily starting Thursday on Fox Sports GO, usopen.com, and the U.S. Open app. 

Fox Sports mainstays Joel Klatt and Justin Kutcher provide play-by-play for the featured groups.  They are joined by a slate of newcomers: broadcaster Luke Elvy, 2011 U.S. Senior Open champion Olin Browne, 1987 U.S. Junior Amateur champion Brett Quigley and 1987 U.S. Open champion Scott Simpson.  In addition, Robert Damron, Jay Delsing, Buddy Marucci and Joe Ogilvie, as well as Ned Michaels, return to Fox Sports digital. 

FOX SPORTS GO 
Date                     Channel                               Broadcast Hours 
(Local/EDT) 

June 16th & 17th  FS1 stream                           10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
                              Fox stream                           5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
                              Featured Groups (Ch. A)     7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
                              Featured Groups (Ch. B)     7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
                              Featured Holes                     8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

June 18th & 19th   Fox stream                           11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

                               Featured Groups (Ch. A)     11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
                               Featured Groups (Ch. B)     11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
                               Featured Holes                    11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

LIVE STREAMING (USOPEN.COM & U.S. OPEN APP)
The U.S. Open will receive 122½ hours of live streaming coverage on usopen.com and the U.S. Open app. 

Date                                   Broadcast Hours (Local/EDT)

June 16th & 17th               Featured groups and holes, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

June 18th & 19th               Featured groups and holes, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

RADIO COVERAGE
SiriusXM will feature more than 30 hours of live hole-by-hole coverage of the 2016 U.S. Open Championship.  Brian Katrek will anchor the broadcast, with former PGA Tour pro Mark Carnevale serving as the analyst in the booth.  A team of roving reporters, featuring veteran broadcasters and Tour pros Fred Albers, Doug Bell, Maureen Madill, John Maginnes, and Dennis Paulson will provide commentary from around the course. 

In addition to live championship coverage, SiriusXM’s daily U.S. Open coverage will feature exclusive shows hosted by World Golf Hall of Famers Ben Crenshaw and Hale Irwin; major winners Mark Calcavecchia, Larry Mize, and Craig Stadler; former tour pros Chris DiMarco, Mark Lye, and Carl Paulson; as well as top instructors Hank Haney, David Leadbetter, Jim McLean, Larry Rinker, Dave Stockton, and Golf Channel’s Michael Breed. 

All programming will be available to subscribers nationwide on satellite radios (Sirius channel 208, XM channel 92), on the SiriusXM app, and online at SiriusXM.com.

MASTERING THE OPEN 
In 2015, Jordan Spieth joined a select group of players who have won both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.  The list also includes Craig Wood (1941), Ben Hogan (1951, ’53), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), and Tiger Woods (2002).  Hogan, Palmer, and Nicklaus were over the age of 30 when they accomplished the feat, while Woods and Spieth were ages 26 and 22, respectively. 

 

HISTORY 

This is the 116th U.S. Open Championship. The U.S. Open, which was first played in 1895, was not contested for two years (1917-18) during World War I and for four years (1942-45) during World War II. 

The youngest winner of the U.S. Open was 19-year-old John McDermott, who won in 1911; he is among eight players age 21 or younger who have won the U.S. Open.  The oldest winner is Hale Irwin, who was 45 and playing on a special exemption when he won his third U.S. Open title in 1990. Irwin also won in 1974 and 1979. 

There are four four-time U.S. Open winners: Willie Anderson (1901, 1903, 1904, 1905), amateur Robert T. Jones Jr. (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930), Ben Hogan (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953), and Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980).

TWO-TEE START 
A two-tee start was first adopted for the 2002 U.S. Open.  The USGA had successfully adopted a two-tee start for the U.S. Women’s Open in 2000 and for the U.S. Senior Open in 2001.  Play will begin at 6:45 a.m. EDT at the first tee and 10th tee on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club.

OPEN ECONOMICS 
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 U.S. Open champion, earned $1.8 million from a purse of $10 million last year at Chambers Bay.  In 1994, Ernie Els’ winning share was $320,000 from a purse of $1,752,835 in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.  In 1973 at Oakmont, Johnny Miller earned $35,000 from a purse of $219,400. 

 

OPEN BIRTHDAYS 

Fourteen players in the U.S. Open field will be celebrating a birthday around the championship.  Phil Mickelson, a record six-time Open runner-up and a five-time professional major championship winner, is among that group.  He turns 46 on June 16, the day of the championship’s first round. 

2016 U.S. Open Competitors

Name                          Birthdate (age after birthday)
Geoff Ogilvy              6-11-77 (39)
a-Justin Suh                6-12-97 (19)
a-Derek Bard              6-14-95 (21)
Spencer Levin            6-15-84 (32)
Hiroyuki Fujita          6-16-69 (47)
Phil Mickelson           6-16-70 (45)
Austin Jordan             6-17-93 (23)
Yuasku Miyazato       6-19-80 (36)
Russell Knox             6-21-85 (31)
Matt Kuchar              6-21-78 (38)
William McGirt         6-21-79 (37)
a-Scottie Scheffler     6-21-96 (20)
Aaron Wise                6-21-96 (20)
Dustin Johnson          6-22-84 (32) 

OLDEST & YOUNGEST 

Wes Short Jr., at age 52 (born Dec. 4, 1963), is the oldest player in this year’s U.S. Open field.  Jeff Maggert (born Feb. 20, 1964) is also age 52.  Justin Suh, who reached the U.S. Open through both local and sectional qualifying, is the youngest at age 19 (born June 12, 1997).

FIELD FOR THE AGES 
There are 12 players in the 2016 U.S. Open field who will be 21 years old or younger when the first round begins on Thursday, June 16.  Aaron Wise, the 2016 NCAA Division I champion, is one of six players under age 20. 

There are 10 players in the field who are 45 or older. Retief Goosen, 47, won the 2001 and 2004 U.S. Opens.  Ernie Els, 46, also won two U.S. Opens, in 1994 and 1997.  The average age of the 156-player field is 31.14.

INTERNATIONAL GROUP 
There are 23 countries represented at the 2016 U.S. Open.  The United States has 89 players in the field, while England has 12 and South Africa and Australia each have 7. 

 

Countries with players in the field – United States (89), England (12), Australia (7), South Africa (7), Sweden (6), Japan (5), France (3), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (3), Argentina (2), Denmark (2), Germany (2), India (2), New Zealand (2), Northern Ireland (2), Thailand (2), Austria (1), Republic of Ireland (1), Italy (1), Mexico (1), Philippines (1), Scotland (1), and Wales (1).

FATHER AND SON 
The U.S. Open’s final round has been played on Father’s Day since 1965.  There are 10 father-son pairings who have played in the U.S. Open that include a champion.  In seven of the 10 pairings, the father was the champion.

Father-Son Pairings (Includes an Open Winner)
Name                                                           Champion
Tom Sr. and Willie Anderson                      Willie (1901, 1903, 1904, 1905)
Julius and Guy Boros                                   Julius (1952, 1963)
Johnny and Billy Farrell                               Johnny (1928)
Hale and Steve Irwin                                    Hale (1974, 1979, 1990)
Johnny and Andy Miller                               Johnny (1973)
Jack and Gary Nicklaus                                Jack (1962, 1967, 1972, ’80)
Gary and Wayne Player                                Gary (1965)
George and Alfred & Harold Sargent           George (1909)
Bill and Payne Stewart                                  Payne (1991, 1999)
Tom Jr. and Curtis Strange                            Curtis (1988, 1989)

NICKLAUS AND PALMER SERVE AS HONORARY CHAIRMEN 
Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer are serving as honorary co-chairmen of the 116th U.S. Open Championship.  The duo made golf history at Oakmont Country Club in 1962, when Nicklaus, 22, defeated Palmer in an 18-hole playoff to win his first major championship, and the first of his four U.S. Open victories. 

 

Beyond his record 18 major-championship titles and 120 professional wins worldwide, Nicklaus captured 73 PGA Tour victories as well as two U.S. Amateur and two U.S. Senior Open wins.  In 1975, he won the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor.  The U.S. Open gold medal, given to all U.S. Open champions, was named the Jack Nicklaus Medal in 2012. 

With 92 professional victories and seven major championships, Palmer became the pride of Pennsylvania with his three USGA titles - the 1954 U.S. Amateur, 1960 U.S. Open, and 1981 U.S. Senior Open.  His long relationship with the Association also includes the 1971 Bob Jones Award.  The honorary chairman of the USGA Members Program since its inception in 1975, Palmer played in his first U.S. Open at Oakmont in 1953, and his 32nd and final U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont.

TRADITIONAL PAIRING 
Defending U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth, defending Open champion Zach Johnson, and 2015 U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau will form a traditional grouping for the opening two rounds.  Spieth won last year at Chambers Bay by one stroke with a four-round total of 275 (5 under par).  Johnson captured the Open Championship, conducted by The R&A, in a four-hole aggregate playoff with Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman at St. Andrews.  DeChambeau defeated Derek Bard, 7 and 6, in the U.S. Amateur final at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club.  The grouping will tee off in Thursday’s opening round from the 10th hole at 8:35 a.m. EDT. 

 

FIRST TIME AT U.S. OPEN 

There are 49 players in the 2016 championship field who are playing in their first U.S. Open.  Chris Wood won the PGA European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship by one stroke last month.  Mikael Lundberg, a 42-yard-old Swedish player, owns three PGA European Tour victories.  Carlos Ortiz, of Mexico, was the 2014 Web.com Player of the Year.  Patrick Rodgers played on two USA Walker Cup Teams (2011, 2013) and advanced through a playoff at the Powell, Ohio, sectional qualifier.

List of First-Time U.S. Open Players: Frank Adams III, Mark Anguiano, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, a-Derek Bard, Matthew Borchert, Steven Bowditch, Kent Bulle, a-Sam Burns, Derek Chang, Thitiphun Chuayprakong, a-Christopher Crawford, a-Charlie Danielson, Zach Edmondson, Kevin Foley, Emiliano Grillo, Brandon Harkins, T.J. Howe, Andrew Johnston, Austin Jordan, Patton Kizzire, Andrew Landry, Mikael Lundberg, Gregor Main, Matt Marshall, William McGirt, Michael Miller, Yusaku Miyazato, a-Kyle Mueller, Carlos Ortiz, Chase Parker, Tyler Raber, a-Jon Rahm, Patrick Rodgers, a-Scottie Scheffler, Richard Schembechler II, Wes Short Jr., Sebastian Soderberg, a-Ryan Stachler, Gary Stal, a-Justin Suh, Miguel Luis Tabena, Hideto Tanihara, Ethan Tracy, Mike Van Sickle, Romain Wattel, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, Tim Wilkinson, Aaron Wise, Chris Wood. 

ON TOUR

Jason Day, a two-time U.S. Open runner-up, has won three times on the PGA Tour this season.  Charl Schwartzel and Jeunghun Wang each have two European Tour victories. 

Multiple PGA Tour Winners in 2016

Jason Day (3):  Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Dell Match Play, The Players Championship)
Jordan Spieth (2):  Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Dean & DeLuca Invitational)
Adam Scott (2):  The Honda Classic, WGC-Cadillac Championship) 

 

Multiple European Tour Winners in 2016

Charl Schwartzel (2):  Alfred Dunhill Championship, Tshwane Open)
Jeunghun Wang (2):  Trophee Hassan II, AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open)

2016 U.S. OPEN FUN FACTS

Air Conditioning
3,695 tons of HVAC (enough for 1,478 homes)

Carts
477 golf carts

Communications
20-plus miles of fiber-optic cable
47-plus miles of copper cable
5 GB of Internet
640 radios
545 televisions
43 multi-function copiers/fax machines

Fence
85,000 linear feet or approximately 16 miles of fence

Flooring
520,000 square feet of flooring (equivalent to approximately 12 acres of flooring) 

Food/Beverage 
100,000 ¼-lb.  hot dogs
42,000 ½-lb. hamburgers
18,000 jumbo cookies
125,000 16 oz. souvenir beer/soda cups
365,000 12 oz. beers
75,000 sodas
50,000 bottles of water
48,000 bags of potato chips

Grandstands
17,607 grandstand seats (just 700 seats shy of Consol Energy Center’s capacity)

Hospitality
32 corporate tents, 30 suites and roughly 125 corporate tables sold

Merchandise
Main merchandise pavilion totals 36,696 square feet
More than 500,000 pieces of merchandise available on-site including 100,000 hats and 61,000 golf shirts
More than 130,000 transactions expected

Office Trailers
86 office trailers totaling approximately 45,000 square feet

Parking & Transportation
19 parking lots and approximately 21,000 parking spaces
305 total buses at peak times
225 directional signs and 1,800 traffic cones
50 traffic posts working a total of 5,900 man hours

Power
25 megawatts (enough to power 5,000 Homes)

Restroom Facilities
564 Individual units and 41 high-end restroom trailers

Tents
371,173 square feet of canvas (enough to cover the football field at Heinz Field six times)

Volunteers
5,176 volunteers, including 2,040 USGA Members
46 U.S. states and 9 international countries represented 

As always, if you have any questions, shoot me an email here, or DM on twitter @PGAPappas.