Monday, June 14, 2021

Inside the Numbers from the 2021 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines

U.S. Open week is upon us, and we're deep diving into the facts and numbers of this 121st U.S. Open Championship to get you ready for all the action from Torrey Pines.

 

Can Bryson go back-to-back?  Does Phil really have a shot to grab the big one that's eluded him for so long?  Is there a dark horse who can get it done this week?  Let's jump inside the numbers.

Among the 156 golfers in the 2021 U.S. Open Championship, there are:

U.S. Open champions (9): Bryson DeChambeau (2020), Dustin Johnson (2016), Martin Kaymer (2014), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018),Rory McIlroy (2011), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015) and Gary Woodland (2019)

U.S. Open runners-up (9): Tommy Fleetwood (2018), Brian Harman (2017), Dustin Johnson (2015), Brooks Koepka (2019), Shane Lowry (2016), Hideki Matsuyama (2017), Phil Mickelson (1999, 2002, ’04, ’06, ’09, ’13), Louis Oosthuizen (2015) and Matthew Wolff (2020)

U.S. Amateur champions (7): Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013), Viktor Hovland (2018), Matt Kuchar (1997), Phil Mickelson (1990), Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Tyler Strafaci (2020)

U.S. Amateur runners-up (3): Patrick Cantlay (2011), Corey Conners (2014) and Charles Osborne (2020)

U.S. Junior Amateur champions (4): Brian Harman (2003), Scottie Scheffler (2013), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11) and Will Zalatoris (2014)

U.S. Junior Amateur runners-up (3): Akshay Bhatia (2018), Justin Thomas (2010) and Matthew Wolff (2017)

U.S. Senior Open champions: none

U.S. Mid-Amateur champions: none

U.S. Amateur Public Links champions (1): Chez Reavie (2001)

U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champions (1): Cole Hammer (2018)

USGA champions (20): Bryson DeChambeau (2015 U.S. Amateur, 2020 U.S. Open), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013 U.S. Amateur), Cole Hammer (2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball), 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), Brooks Koepka (2017, ’18 U.S. Open), Matt Kuchar (1997 U.S. Amateur), Rory McIlroy (2011 U.S. Open), Phil Mickelson (1990 U.S. Amateur), Edoardo Molinari (2005 U.S. Amateur), Chez Reavie (2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links), 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), Tyler Strafaci (2020 U.S. Amateur), Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open), and Will Zalatoris (2014 U.S. Junior Amateur)

Walker Cup Team members:

United States (23): Akshay Bhatia (2019), Patrick Cantlay (2011), Cameron Champ (2017), Pierceson Coody (2021), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Harris English (2011), Cole Hammer (2019, 2021), Brian Harman (2005, ’09), Russell Henley (2011), Max Homa (2013), Billy Horschel (2007), Dustin Johnson (2007), Matt Kuchar (1999), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’91), Collin Morikawa (2017), Patrick Rodgers (2011, ’13), Scottie Scheffler (2017), Webb Simpson (2007), Robby Shelton (2015), Jordan Spieth (2011), Tyler Strafaci (2021), Justin Thomas (2013) and Will Zalatoris (2017)

Great Britain & Ireland (8): Paul Casey (1999), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013), Tommy Fleetwood (2009), Joe Long (2021), Robert MacIntyre (2017), Rory McIlroy (2007), Justin Rose (1997) and Jordan Smith (2013)

NCAA Division I champions (4): Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Max Homa (2013), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’90, ’92) and Matthew Wolff (2019)

World Amateur Team Championship competitors (45): Luis Fernando Barco (2012, 2016, 2018, Peru), Paul Barjon (2012, France), Rafa Cabrera Bello (2000, Spain), Paul Casey (2000, Great Britain & Ireland), Corey Conners (2012, 2014, Canada), Cameron Davis (2016, Australia), Bryson DeChambeau (2014, USA), Thomas Detry (2010, 2012, 2014, Belgium), Dylan Frittelli (2008, 2010, South Africa), Luis Gagne (2018, Costa Rica), Sergio Garcia (1996, 1998, Spain), Cole Hammer (2018, USA), Billy Horschel (2008, USA), Viktor Hovland (2016, 2018, Norway), Mackenzie Hughes (2012, Canada), Sung Kang (2006, Republic of Korea), Martin Kaymer (2014, Germany), Si Woo Kim (2012, Republic of Korea), Matt Kuchar (1998, USA), Shane Lowry (2006, Ireland), Robert MacIntyre (2016, Scotland), Hideki Matsuyama (2008, 2012 Japan), Rory McIlroy (2006, Ireland), Adrian Meronk (2012, 2014, 2016, Poland), Phil Mickelson (1990, USA), Guido Migliozzi (2014, 2016, Italy), Edoardo Molinari (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, Italy), Francesco Molinari (2002, 2004, Italy), Collin Morikawa (2018, USA), Joaquin Niemann (2016, Chile), Wilco Nienaber (2018, South Africa), Alvaro Ortiz (2014, 2016, 2018, Mexico), Carlos Ortiz (2010, 2012, Mexico), Louis Oosthuizen (2002, South Africa), Taylor Pendrith (2014, Canada), Victor Perez (2014, France), Jon Rahm (2014, Spain), Scottie Scheffler (2016, USA), Charl Schwartzel (2002, South Africa), Cameron Smith (2012, Australia), Henrik Stenson (1998, Sweden), Justin Suh (2018, USA), Justin Thomas (2012, USA), Jhonattan Vegas (2002, Venezuela) and Bernd Wiesberger (2004, 2006, Austria).

TOTAL U.S. OPENS WON BY 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD (10): Brooks Koepka (2); Bryson DeChambeau (1), Dustin Johnson (1), Martin Kaymer (1), Rory McIlroy (1), Justin Rose (1), Webb Simpson (1), Jordan Spieth (1), and Gary Woodland (1)

PLAYERS IN FIELD WITH MOST U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2020): Phil Mickelson (29), Sergio Garcia (21), Adam Scott (19), Lee Westwood (19), Matt Kuchar (18), Paul Casey (17), Zach Johnson (17), Ian Poulter (15) and Justin Rose (15)

ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2020): Sergio Garcia (21), Adam Scott (19), Zach Johnson (17), Dustin Johnson (13), Martin Kaymer (13), Matt Kuchar (13) and Rory McIlroy (12).

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD – The USGA accepted 9,069 entries, the eighth-highest total in U.S. Open history. The record of 10,127 entries was set in 2014. More than 9,000 U.S. Open entries were received for the eighth consecutive time and the 12th time overall. The USGA accepted entries for the 2021 U.S. Open from golfers in all 50 states, including 1,222 from host state California, as well as the District of Columbia and 70 foreign countries.

The 156-player field includes 88 fully exempt golfers, nine of whom are past champions. Local qualifying over 18 holes was held at 108 sites between April 26-May 17. Final qualifying, played over 36 holes, was conducted at 10 sites in the United States; in Texas on May 24 and in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Ohio (Columbus & Springfield), South Carolina and Washington on June 7. Japan hosted international final qualifying on May 24.

History of U.S. Open Championship Entries

Year                 Number            Host Site

2014                 10,127              Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C. 

2015                 9,882                Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash.

2016                 9,877                Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club

2013                 9,860                Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.

2017                 9,485                Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.

2019                 9,125                Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links

2009                 9,086                Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale, N.Y.

2021                 9,069                Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego, Calif.

2010                 9,052                Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links

2018                 9,049                Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.

2005                 9,048                 Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C. 

2012                 9,006                The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.

AMATEURS – Nine amateurs have made the 156-player field, the lowest total since 2012. Charles "Ollie" Osborne, the 2020 U.S. Amateur runner-up, and Joe Long, who won the 2020 Amateur Championship, conducted by The R&A, are in this group.

Osborne, of Reno, Nev., was edged by Tyler Strafaci, 1 up, in last year’s U.S. Amateur 36-hole final at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Osborne posted two top-20 finishes in his recently completed sophomore season at Southern Methodist University.

Long, of England, won the 125th Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale, defeating Joe Harvey, 4 and 3, in the final to become the first Englishman to win the Amateur since Harry Ellis in 2017. His victory earned him an invitation to the Masters and a U.S. Open exemption in 2021. Long was a member of the 2021 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team.

Pierceson Coody, of Plano, Texas, who just finished his junior year at the University of Texas, was a member of the victorious 2021 USA Walker Cup Team. Coody, who advanced to the U.S. Open in a 5-for-4 playoff in the Columbus, Ohio, final qualifier, won the 118th Western Amateur last August.

Cole Hammer, of Houston, Texas, was a member of the winning 2019 and 2021 USA Walker Cup Teams. Hammer, who reached the 2021 U.S. Open as the first alternate from the Columbus, Ohio, final qualifier, was this year’s Big 12 Conference individual champion and was a key figure in the University of Texas’ runner-up finish in the 2019 NCAA Championship.

Joe Highsmith, of Lakewood, Wash., was the medalist in the Richland, Wash., final qualifier. He won the Western Intercollegiate and had seven top-10 tournament finishes as a junior at Pepperdine University. He also helped the Waves capture the NCAA title on June 2, earning wins in all three match-play rounds, including the final over Oklahoma. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 North & South Amateur.

Matt Sharpstene, of Asheville, N.C., advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes and reached the Round of 32 in last year’s North & South Amateur. He earned All-Midwest Region honors at West Virginia University before transferring to Charlotte University for the 2020-21 year.

Spencer Ralston, of Gainesville, Ga., was the runner-up in this year’s Southeastern Conference Championship as a fifth-year senior at the University of Georgia. He was a quarterfinalist in the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2.

Andrew Kozan, of West Palm Beach, Fla., posted three top-10 finishes as a senior at Auburn University in 2020-21. He advanced to Round of 32 in last year’s U.S. Amateur and reached match play in two U.S. Junior Amateurs (2015, 2016).

Matthias Schmid, of Germany, shared medalist honors in the Dallas, Texas, final qualifier. A senior at the University of Louisville, Schmid recorded five top-20 performances, including fourth in the NCAA Noblesville Regional. He won the 2020 European Amateur.

Note: Thirteen amateurs played in last year’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. John Pak, who tied for 51st, was the low amateur. John Goodman was the last amateur to win the championship, in 1933.

Amateurs in Recent U.S. Opens

Year Number Made Cut Top Finisher

2021 9 TBD TBD

2020 13 1 Jon Pak, 51st (tie)

2019 15 4 Viktor Hovland, 12th (tie)

2018 20 3 Luis Gagne, Matt Parziale, 48th (tie)

2017 14 2 Scottie Scheffler, 27th (tie)

2016 11 1 Jon Rahm, 23rd (tie)

2015 16 6 Brian Campbell, 27th (tie)

2014 12 1 Matthew Fitzpatrick, 48th (tie)

2013 10 4 Michael Kim, 17th (tie)

2012 8 3 Jordan Spieth, 21st (tie)

2011 12 3 Patrick Cantlay, 21st (tie)

2010 10 2 Russell Henley, Scott Langley, 16th (tie)

2009 15 3 Nick Taylor, 36th (tie)

2008 11 3 Michael Thompson, 29th (tie)

2007 12 0 none

2006 9 0 none

2005 9 2 Matt Every, 28th (tie)

2004 8 4 Spencer Levin, 13th (tie)

2003 10 2 Trip Kuehne, 57th (tie)

2002 4 1 Kevin Warrick, 72nd

2001 3 1 Bryce Molder, 30th (tie)

2000 7 1 Jeff Wilson, 59th

1999 6 1 Hank Kuehne, 65th

1998 5 1 Matt Kuchar, 14th (tie)

1997 6 0 none

1996 6 4 Randy Leen, 54th

1995 3 0 none

1994 6 0 none

1993 3 1 Justin Leonard, 68th (tie)

1992 5 0 none

1991 4 1 Phil Mickelson, 55th (tie)

1990 4 2 Phil Mickelson, 29th (tie)

1989 2 0 none

1988 4 1 Billy Mayfair, 25th (tie)

1987 2 0 none

1986 5 1 Sam Randolph, 35th (tie)

1985 8 2 Scott Verplank, 34th (tie)

1984 11 2 Mark Hayes, Jay Sigel, 43rd (tie)

1983 9 2 Brad Faxon, 50th (tie)

1982 14 2 Nathaniel Crosby, 59th

1981 18 1 Joey Rassett, 65th (tie)

1980 18 2 Gary Hallberg, 22nd (tie) 

LOCAL-FINAL QUALIFIERS – Christopher Crawford, who has competed on several professional circuits, including the newly created Forme Tour, is among 19 U.S. Open qualifiers who advanced through both local and final qualifying. Crawford, who is competing in his third U.S. Open, advanced through both stages for the third time. He also qualified in 2016 and 2017.

In 2018, Luis Gagne and Dylan Meyer were local-final qualifiers. Gagne, who played at LSU, shared low-amateur honors with Matt Parziale when they tied for 48th in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Meyer was the 2017 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year while playing for the University of Illinois. He tied for 20th at Shinnecock Hills in his first U.S. Open.

Wilson Furr advanced through the final qualifier at the Long Cove Club, in Hilton Head Island, S.C., as an alternate from local qualifying. Furr, who was the stroke-play medalist and reached the Round of 32 in the 2020 U.S. Amateur, is the fifth local alternate since 2010 to make the U.S. Open field.

Both stages of qualifying were canceled last year due to the pandemic. A total of 17 players worked their way to the U.S. Open through local and final qualifying in 2019. Andy Pope, Chandler Eaton and Charlie Danielson tied for 58th and were among four who made the 36-hole cut. In 2012, nine made the cut, the highest number since 1997.

In 2021, there were 108 local qualifying sites that led to 11 final qualifiers, including an international site in Japan. Ken Venturi (1964) and Orville Moody (1969) are the only players to win the U.S. Open after qualifying through both local and final play. Gene Littler (1961), Julius Boros (1963), Jerry Pate (1976), Steve Jones (1996), Michael Campbell (2005) and Lucas Glover (2009) have won as final qualifiers.

2021 Local-Final Qualifiers (19)

Name                                       Final Site                                 Local Site

Steve Allan                               Richland, Wash.                        Scottsdale, Ariz.

Luis Fernando Barco                 Dallas, Texas                            Orlando #1, Fla.

Mario Carmona                         Dallas, Texas                            Houston, Texas

Eric Cole                                   Dallas, Texas                            Kennesaw, Ga.

Roy Cootes                               Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.         La Quinta, Calif.

Christopher Crawford                Rockville, Md.                           Glencoe, Ala.

Wilson Furr (L)                          Hilton Head Island, S.C.             Glencoe, Ala.

Luis Gagne                               Jupiter, Fla.                               Orlando #1, Fla.

James Hervol                            Purchase, N.Y.                          Seekonk, Mass.

a-Joe Highsmith                        Richland, Wash.                        La Quinta, Calf.

Michael Johnson                       Columbus, Ohio                        Pine Mountain, Ga.

a-Andrew Kozan                        Jupiter, Fla.                               Weston, Fla.

Dylan Meyer                             Springfield, Ohio                        Springfield, Ill.

Carson Schaake                        Springfield, Ohio                        Beatrice, Neb.

Davis Shore                              Atlanta, Ga.                              Knoxville, Tenn.

Hayden Springer                       Dallas, Texas                            Houston, Texas

Sahith Theegala                        Springfield, Ohio                        Houston, Texas

Kyle Westmoreland                   Dallas, Texas                            Blythewood, S.C.

Zach Zaback                             Purchase, N.Y.                          West Palm Beach, Fla.

a-amateur

(L) – local alternate

Recent History of Local & Final Qualifiers

Year Number Made Cut Top Finisher  

2021 19 TBD TBD  

2020 No Qualifying - COVID-19 pandemic  

2019 17 4 Charlie Danielson, a-Chandler Eaton, Andy Pope, 58th (tie)

2018 21 7 Dylan Meyer, 20th (tie)  

2017 21 5 a-Cameron Champ, 32nd (tie)  

2016 27 5 Andrew Landry, 15th (tie)  

2015 22 6 Jimmy Gunn, 27th (tie)  

2014 24 5 Cody Gribble, 21st (tie)  

2013 20 0 none  

2012 25 9 John Peterson, 4th (tie)  

2011 29 4 Bud Cauley, 63rd (tie)  

2010 24 7 Russell Henley, Scott Langley, 16th (tie)  

2009 30 2 Gary Woodland, 47th (tie)  

2008 36 6 Kevin Streelman, 53rd  

2007 26 2 D.J. Brigman, 30th (tie)  

2006 30 4 Scott Hend, 32nd (tie)  

2005 30 5 Paul Claxton, 23rd (tie)  

2004 35 5 a-Spencer Levin, 13th (tie)  

2003 28 3 Dicky Pride, 28th (tie)  

2002 22 6 Jason Caron, 30th (tie)  

2001 28 6 Michael Allen, 12th (tie)  

2000 37 6 Bobby Clampett, Charles Warren, 37th (tie)  

1999 36 7 David Berganio Jr., 28th (tie)  

1998 40 5 Lee Porter, 32nd (tie)  

1997 33 10 David White, 51st (tie)  

1996 39 19 Stewart Cink, 16th (tie)  

1995 47 6 Pete Jordan, 21st (tie)  

1994 43 6 Fran Quinn Jr., 43rd  

1993 46 12 Lee Rinker, 33rd (tie)  

1992 54 8 Andy Dillard, Tray Tyner, Willie Wood, 17th (tie)  

1991 51 4 Brian Kamm, Lance Ten Broeck, 31st (tie)  

1990 57 6 John Inman, 14th  

1989 55 13 Tom Pernice Jr., 13th (tie)  

1988 63 7 Chip Johnson, Mike Nicolette, 40th (tie)  

1987 53 9 Jim Woodward, 17th (tie)  

1986 56 7 Mark Calcavecchia, 14th  

1985 63 13 David Frost, Fred Funk, Tom Sieckmann, 23rd (tie)

1984 69 10 Bill Glasson, Joe Hager, 25th (tie)  

1983 65 11 Ralph Landrum, 8th  

1982 75 17 Gary Koch, 6th (tie)  

1981 76 16 John Schroeder, 4th  

1980 73 10 Joe Hager, 12th (tie)  

Oldest Local-Final Qualifiers (1997-2021)

52, Wes Short Jr. (2016) – b. 12-4-63

49, Mark McCormick (2012) – b. 12-14-62

49, Ken Peyre-Ferry (1998) – b. 3-4-49

49, Fran Quinn (2014) – b. 3-11-65

49, Jim White (1999) – b. 4-16-50

48, Darrell Kestner (2002)

48, Gary Koch (2001)

48, Geoffrey Sisk (2013)

47, Steve Allan (2021)

47, Andy Bean (2000)

47, Robert Gaus (2008)

47, Brandt Jobe (2013)

47, Andrew Morse (2006)

47, Paul Simson (1998)

46, Joe Daley (2007)

46, Darrell Kestner (2000)

46, Dick Mast (1997)

46, John Nieporte (2013)

46, Jerry Smith (2010)

Youngest Local-Final Qualifiers (1997-2021)

14, Andy Zhang (2012) – b. 12-14-97

15, Tadd Fujikawa (2006) – b. 1-8-91

15, Cole Hammer (2015) – b. 8-28-99

16, Tom Glissmeyer (2003)

16, Beau Hossler (2011)

16, Derek Tolan (2002)

16, Will Grimmer (2014)

17, Beau Hossler (2012)

17, Alberto Sanchez (2012)

18, Mason Andersen (2017)

18, Maverick McNealy (2014)

18, Robby Shelton (2014)

18, Gavin Hall (2013)

18, Luke List (2003)

18, Jason Semelsberger (1997)

ABOUT TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE

Torrey Pines Golf Course is a 36-hole municipal public golf facility that is owned by the city of San Diego.  The course is named for the Torrey Pine, a rare tree that grows wild along this local stretch of coastline in San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island. The courses were built on the site of Camp Callan, a U.S. Army installation during World War II and sit on coastal cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, just south of Torrey Pines State Reserve. The North and South Courses were designed by William P. Bell and his son, William F. Bell. Rees Jones redesigned the South in 2002, with updates in 2018-19, and Tom Weiskopf redesigned the North in 2016. Since the late 1960s, Torrey Pines has hosted a PGA Tour event (now known as the Farmers Insurance Open) in which the North Course is also used during Rounds 1 and 2 before moving exclusively to the South Course for Rounds 3 and 4.

USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT TORREY PINES

1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links (South Course): Trevor Immelman def. Jason Dufner, 3 and 2

2008 U.S. Open (South Course): Tiger Woods def. Rocco Mediate, 283 (71, 4) – 283 (71, 5)

OTHER EVENTS AT TORREY PINES

PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open (since 1968)

Junior World Golf Championship (every July)

San Diego City Amateur (every June)

USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CALIFORNIA

This will be the 85th USGA championship played in California and the 14th U.S. Open contested in the state. In 2021, the U.S. Women’s Open was held at The Olympic Club (Lake Course) in San Francisco from June 3-6. The 2023 U.S. Women’s Open will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and the 2023 U.S. Open will be held at The Los Angeles Country Club.

U.S. Open Championships in California (13):

1948: The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades (Ben Hogan)

1955: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Jack Fleck)

1966: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Billy Casper)

1972: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Jack Nicklaus)

1982: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tom Watson)

1987: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Scott Simpson)

1992: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tom Kite)

1998: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Lee Janzen)

2000: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tiger Woods)

2008: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego (Tiger Woods)

2010: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Graeme McDowell)

2012: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Webb Simpson) 

2019: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Gary Woodland) 

2008 U.S. OPEN

Tiger Woods outdueled Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff to win his third U.S. Open title and record-tying ninth USGA championship. Woods made par on the first extra hole after the two were tied following an 18-hole playoff. Woods had forced the playoff with Mediate by making a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of regulation play. The win was Woods’ final appearance of the year. Woods, who matched Bob Jones’ record for most USGA titles won, had knee surgery the following week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg. Lee Westwood finished third with a 72-hole score of 284 (even par).

1998 U.S. AMATEUR PUBLIC LINKS

Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, won the title, defeating Jason Dufner in the 36-hole final, 3 and 2. Immelman, who made eight birdies in the championship match, leaped to a 3-up lead through the opening five holes and never trailed. Bubba Watson, Ryan Armour and Ryuji Imada were among the players who advanced to match play.

2021 U.S. Open Players Who Competed in 2008 U.S. Open (14): Paul Casey (T-65), Stewart Cink (T-14), Sergio Garcia (T-18), Dustin Johnson (T-48), Zach Johnson (MC), Martin Kaymer (T-53), Matt Kuchar (T-48), Phil Mickelson (T-18), Justin Rose (MC), Adam Scott (T-26), Henrik Stenson (MC), Kevin Streelman (T-53), Bubba Watson (MC), Lee Westwood (3)

2021 U.S. Open Players Who Competed in 1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links (1): Bubba Watson (Rd. 64).

HOLE BY HOLE – Torrey Pines Golf Course’s South Course will be set up at 7,652 yards and will play to a par of 35-36-71. The yardage for each round of the championship will vary due to course setup and conditions.

Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) Hole By Hole  

Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total

Par 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 3 5 35

Yardage 446 387 195 486 452 515 460 173 609 3,723   

Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total

Par 4 3 4 5 4 4 3 4 5 36

Yardage 449 222 501 612 434 480/ 223 440 568 3,929

COURSE RATING AND SLOPE – Based on the course setup for the championship, the Course Rating™ is 79.0. The Slope Rating® is 151.

LONGEST COURSES IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY

7,845 yards, Erin Hills, first round, Erin, Wis., 2017

7,839 yards, Erin Hills, second round, Erin, Wis., 2017

7,818 yards, Erin Hills, third round, Erin, Wis., 2017

7,721 yards, Erin Hills, fourth round, Erin, Wis., 2017

7,695 yards, Chambers Bay, second round, University Place, Wash., 2015

7,637 yards, Chambers Bay, third round, University Place, Wash., 2015

7,603 yards, Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), second round, San Diego, Calif., 2008

7,514 yards, Congressional C.C. (Blue Course), first round, Bethesda, Md., 2011

7,497 yards, Chambers Bay, first round, University Place, Wash., 2015

7,476 yards, Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), first round, San Diego, Calif., 2008

LONG PAR 5s – The 12th hole at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club in the first round is the longest par 5 in U.S. Open history at 684 yards. Ten holes in championship history have played to more than 660 yards.

LONGEST PAR 5s IN U.S. OPEN HISTORY

684 yards, 12th, first round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2016

681 yards, 18th, fourth round, Erin Hills, Erin, Wis., 2017

676 yards, 18th, second round, Erin Hills, Erin, Wis., 2017

674 yards, 12th, third round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2016

671 yards, 16th, third round, The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif., 2012

667 yards, 12th, first round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

667 yards, 12th, second round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

667 yards, 12th, fourth round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

667 yards, 18th, third round, Erin Hills, Erin, Wis., 2017

660 yards, 16th, first round, The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif., 2012

LONG PAR 3s – Oakmont (Pa.) 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, fourth round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

299 yards, 8th, fourth round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2016

281 yards, 8th, second round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

281 yards, 8th, second round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2016

279 yards, 8th, third round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

266 yards, 3rd, fourth round, Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa., 2013

264 yards, 2nd, first round, Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y., 2018

261 yards, 8th, first round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2007

258 yards, 8th, first round, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2016

256 yards, 3rd, third round, The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif., 2012

LONG PAR 4s – In 2015, Chambers Bay featured seven of the 10 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, second round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

544 yards, 11th, second round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

542 yards, 4th, third round, Pinehurst R. & C.C. (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C., 2014

541 yards, 11th, first round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

541 yards, 11th, fourth round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

536 yards, 14th, first round, Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y., 2018

534 yards, 14th, third round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

533 yards, 13th, third round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

530 yards, 11th, third round, Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash., 2015

529 yards, 14th, third round, Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y., 2018

FUTURE U.S. OPENS IN THIS DECADE  

June 16-19, 2022: The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.

June 15-18, 2023: The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club (North Course)

June 13-16, 2024: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

June 12-15, 2025: Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club

June 18-21, 2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.

June 17-20, 2027: Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links

June 15-18, 2028: TBD

June 14-17, 2029: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

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

Martin Kaymer: last international winner (2014)

Brooks Koepka: last to defend title (2018)

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)

Gary Woodland: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole (2019)

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)

Gary Woodland: last winner with all rounds in the 60s (2019)

Bryson DeChambeau: last winner between ages 20-29 (27 in 2020)

Gary Woodland: last winner between ages 30-39 (35 in 2019)

Payne Stewart: last winner age 40 and higher (42 in 1999)

Gary Woodland: last defending champion to miss the cut (2020)

Hale Irwin: last winner who received a special exemption (1990)

Lucas Glover: last winner to come through final qualifying (2009)

Orville Moody: last winner to come through local and final qualifying (1969)

John Goodman: last amateur winner (1933)

PAST U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS – Brooks Koepka became the seventh player to repeat as U.S. Open champion in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Koepka also won at Erin Hills the previous year. Curtis Strange was the last before Koepka to win consecutive U.S. Opens in 1988 and 1989. Other champions who won back-to-back titles are John J. McDermott (1911, ’12), a-Bob Jones (1929, ’30), Ralph Guldahl (1937, ’38) and Ben Hogan (1950, ’51). Willie Anderson won three consecutive U.S. Open titles, from 1903-05.

In Defense of the U.S. Open

Year Champion Previous Year Result in Defense

2020 Bryson DeChambeau tie, 35th  

2019 Gary Woodland tie, 36th missed cut

2018 Brooks Koepka won 2nd

2017 Brooks Koepka tie, 13th won

2016 Dustin Johnson tie, 2nd missed cut

2015 Jordan Spieth tie, 17th tie, 37th

2014 Martin Kaymer tie, 59th missed cut

2013 Justin Rose tie, 21st tie, 12th

2012 Webb Simpson tie, 14th tie, 32nd

2011 Rory McIlroy missed cut missed cut

2010 Graeme McDowell tie, 18th tie, 14th

2009 Lucas Glover did not play tie, 58th

2008 Tiger Woods tie, 2nd tie, 6th

2007 Angel Cabrera tie, 26th missed cut

2006 Geoff Ogilvy tie, 28th tie, 42nd

2005 Michael Campbell missed cut missed cut

2004 Retief Goosen tie, 42nd tie, 11th

2003 Jim Furyk missed cut tie, 48th

2002 Tiger Woods tie, 12th tie, 20th

2001 Retief Goosen tie, 12th missed cut

2000 Tiger Woods tie, 3rd tie, 12th

1999 Payne Stewart 2nd did not play

1998 Lee Janzen tie, 52nd tie, 46th

1997 Ernie Els tie, 5th tie, 49th

1996 Steve Jones did not play tie, 60th

1995 Corey Pavin missed cut tie, 40th

1994 Ernie Els tie, 7th missed cut

1993 Lee Janzen missed cut missed cut

1992 Tom Kite tie, 37th missed cut

1991 Payne Stewart missed cut tie, 51st

1990 Hale Irwin tie, 54th tie, 11th

1989 Curtis Strange won tie, 21st

1988 Curtis Strange tie, 4th won

1987 Scott Simpson missed cut tie, 6th

1986 Raymond Floyd tie, 23rd tie, 43rd

1985 Andy North missed cut 67th

1984 Fuzzy Zoeller missed cut tie, 9th

1983 Larry Nelson tie, 19th missed cut

1982 Tom Watson tie, 23rd 2nd

1981 David Graham tie, 47th tie, 6th

1980 Jack Nicklaus tie, 9th tie, 6th

WHAT THE CHAMPION RECEIVES

Among the benefits enjoyed by the U.S. Open champion 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, conducted by The R&A

►An invitation to the next five PGA 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 U.S. Open. The top four finishers (and ties) are invited to the following year’s (2022) Masters Tournament.

CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

The first United States Open Championship was won by Horace Rawlins in September 1895, at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club. Rawlins earned $150, a gold champion’s medal, and possession 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. Thus began 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 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 U.S. Open Trophy that debuted in 1947 is on display at the USGA Golf Museum in Liberty Corner, N.J.

MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY LEADERS – Jack Nicklaus is first among the all-time major championship victory leaders with 18 major professional titles, including four U.S. Opens. Tiger Woods is second with 15 major professional championships and has won three U.S. Opens.

Name Masters PGA U.S. Open Open Total

Jack Nicklaus 6 5 4 3 18

Tiger Woods 5 4 3 3 15

Walter Hagen 0 5 2 4 11

Ben Hogan 2 2 4 1 9

Gary Player 3 2 1 3 9

Tom Watson 2 0 1 5 8

Harry Vardon 0 0 1 6 7

Bob Jones 0 0 4 3 7

Gene Sarazen 1 3 2 1 7

Sam Snead 3 3 0 1 7

Arnold Palmer 4 0 1 2 7  

PAST MAJOR CHAMPIONS – Phil Mickelson’s win in this year’s PGA Championship extended a streak in which nine different players have won the previous nine major professional golf championships. Brooks Koepka had earlier won four of nine major championships played, including back-to-back U.S. Opens in 2017 and 2018 in that span. 

Year Winner (Championship) Result

2021 Phil Mickelson (PGA) (-6, 282)

2021 Hideki Matsuyama (Masters) (-10, 278)

2020 Dustin Johnson (Masters) (-20, 268)

2020 Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open) (-6, 274)

2020 Collin Morikawa (PGA) (-13, 267)

2019 Shane Lowry (The Open) (-15, 269)

2019 Gary Woodland (U.S. Open) (-13, 271)

2019 Brooks Koepka (PGA) (-8, 272)

2019 Tiger Woods (Masters) (-13, 275)

2018 Brooks Koepka (PGA) (-16, 264)

2018 Francesco Molinari (The Open) (-8, 276)

2018 Brooks Koepka (U.S. Open) (+1, 281)

2018 Patrick Reed (Masters) (-15, 273)

2017 Justin Thomas (PGA) (-8, 276)

2017 Jordan Spieth (The Open) (-12, 268)

2017 Brooks Koepka (U.S. Open) (-16, 272)

2017 Sergio Garcia (Masters) (-9, 279, def. Rose in playoff)

2016 Jimmy Walker (PGA) (-14, 266)

2016 Henrik Stenson (The Open) (-20, 264)

2016 Dustin Johnson (U.S. Open) (-4, 276)

2016 Danny Willett (Masters) (-5, 283)

2015 Jason Day (PGA) (-20, 268)

2015 Zach Johnson (The Open) (-15, 273, def. Oosthuizen & Leishman in playoff)

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, def. Cabrera in playoff)

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, def. Oosthuizen in playoff)

2011 Keegan Bradley (PGA) (-8, 272, def. Dufner in playoff)

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, def. B. Watson in playoff)

2010 Louis Oosthuizen (The Open) (-16, 272)

2010 Graeme McDowell (U.S. Open) (E, 284)

2010 Phil Mickelson (Masters) (-16, 272)

HISTORY – This is the 121st 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 Bob Jones (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. PDT on Thursday, June 17 on the first and 10th tees of the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

OPEN ECONOMICS – Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion, earned $2.25 million from a purse of $12.5 million last year at Winged Foot Golf Club. In 2008, Tiger Woods earned $1.35 million from a purse of $7.5 million. Tom Kite’s winning share in 1992 was $275,000 from a purse of $1.5 million in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.

OPEN BIRTHDAYS – Ten players in the U.S. Open field will celebrate a birthday around the championship. Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion, Matt Kuchar, the 1997 U.S. Amateur winner, and Scottie Scheffler, the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, are among this group.

2021 U.S. Open Competitor

Name                                                   Birthdate                       Age (on birthday) 

Justin Suh                                             6-12-97                         24

Peter Malnati                                         6-13-87                         34

Cameron Champ                                   6-15-95                         26

Lanto Griffin                                          6-15-88                         33

Phil Mickelson                                       6-16-70                         51

Brad Kennedy                                       6-18-74                         47

Luis Fernando Barco                             6-21-95                         26

Matt Kuchar                                          6-21-78                         43

Scottie Scheffler                                    6-21-96                         25

Dustin Johnson                                     6-22-84                         37

OLDEST & YOUNGEST – Phil Mickelson, who turns 51 on June 16, the day before the championship begins, is the oldest player in this year’s U.S. Open field. Mickelson won this year’s PGA Championship, his sixth professional major. He is a six-time U.S. Open runner-up. Akshay Bhatia, who was the runner-up to Michael Thorbjornsen in the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur, is the youngest at age 19 (born Jan. 31, 2002). 

FIELD FOR THE AGES – There are six players in the 2021 U.S. Open field who will be 21 years old or younger when the first round begins on Thursday, June 17. Pierceson Coody and Cole Hammer, who are both 21, are teammates at the University of Texas and members of the winning 2021 USA Walker Cup Team.

There are 23 players in the field who are 40 or older. Stewart Cink, 48, has won twice on the PGA Tour in the 2020-21 season. Lee Westwood, 48, finished third behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Justin Rose, 40, won the 2013 U.S. Open.

The average age of the 156-player field is 31.05.

INTERNATIONAL GROUP – There are 26 countries represented in the 2021 U.S. Open. The United States has 84 players in the field, while England has 14, South Africa 9 and Australia has 7.

Countries with players in the field – United States (85), England (14), South Africa (9), Australia (7), Canada (4), Japan (4), Republic of Korea (4), Mexico (4), Italy (3), Spain (3), France (2), Germany (2), Scotland (2), Argentina (1), Austria (1), Belgium (1), Chile (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Republic of Ireland (1), Northern Ireland (1), Norway (1), Peru (1), Poland (1), Sweden (1) and Venezuela (1)

RETURNEES FROM 2020 – Bryson DeChambeau, the defending U.S. Open champion, is one of 78 players in this year’s field who competed in the 2020 U.S. Open last September at Winged Foot Golf Club. DeChambeau is also among the last eight major professional champions returning, including Phil Mickelson (2021 PGA), Hideki Matsuyama (2021 Masters), Dustin Johnson (2020 Masters), Collin Morikawa (2020 PGA), Shane Lowry (2019 Open), Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open) and Brooks Koepka (2019 PGA).

FIRST TIME AT U.S. OPEN – There are 43 players in the 2021 championship field who are playing in their first U.S. Open. Garrick Higgo, of South Africa, has won twice on the PGA European Tour and once on the PGA Tour this season. Marcus Armitage, of England, recorded his first career victory at the PGA European Tour’s Porsche European Open by carding a final-round 65 on June 7. Peter Malnati owns a PGA Tour victory, the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship. Hayden Buckley was a winner on the Korn Ferry Tour when he survived a three-man playoff in the Lecom Suncoast Classic on Feb. 21.

2021 List of First-Time U.S. Open Players (43): Marcus Armitage, Yosuke Asaji, Chris Baker, Luis Fernando Barco, Akshay Bhatia, Hayden Buckley, Mario Carmona, Wyndham Clark, Eric Cole, a-Pierceson Coody, Roy Cootes, Dave Coupland, Wilson Furr, Fabian Gomez, James Hervol, Garrick Higgo, a-Joe Highsmith, Bo Hoag, Michael Johnson, Brad Kennedy, a-Andrew Kozan, Rick Lamb, a-Joe Long, Peter Malnati, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Taylor Montgomery, Wilco Nienaber, Alvaro Ortiz, a-Charles Osborne, a-Spencer Ralston, Carson Schaake, a-Matthias Schmid, a-Matt Sharpstene, Davis Shore, Jordan Smith, John Spaun, Hayden Springer, Zack Sucher, Johannes Veerman, Kyle Westmoreland, Dylan Wu and Zach Zaback

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE I – Charley Hoffman, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., is returning to his native San Diego for this year’s U.S. Open. Hoffman, who attended nearby Poway High School, won two state high school titles in 1994 and 1995. He has played in seven U.S. Opens and his best finish was eighth in 2017 at Erin Hills. Hoffman, 44, earned an exemption this year through the Official World Golf Ranking, as of June 7. He owns four career PGA Tour victories.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE II – Xander Schauffele was born in San Diego, Calif., and graduated from Scripps Ranch High School. He won the state high school championship in 2011. Schauffele, who captured the 2014 California State Amateur and was twice runner-up, earned All-America honors at San Diego State University. He has finished no lower than a tie for sixth in four U.S. Opens played. He tied for third in 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and was fifth last year at Winged Foot Golf Club.

RETURN TO TORREY PINES – Phil Mickelson, a runner-up in the U.S. Open six times, returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course, the site of three of his 45 PGA Tour victories. He captured the Buick Invitational (now Farmers Insurance Open) in 1993, 2000 and 2001. Mickelson, who has won six major professional championships, tied for 18th in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He was born in San Diego and attended the University of San Diego High School.

WELCOME, PERU AND POLAND – Peru and Poland will be represented for the first known time at a U.S. Open this week. Luis Fernando Barco advanced to the U.S. Open through both qualifying stages, surviving a 10-for-1 playoff in final qualifying in Dallas. He earned all-region honors at Purdue University and currently competes on PGA Tour Latinoamerica. He finished third in the 2019 Latin America Amateur Championship and also tied for third in the 2016 championship. Adrian Meronk earned his U.S. Open exemption through the three-event European Tour Qualifying Series. The 27-year-old former East Tennessee State student is the first card-holding Polish native on the European Tour. Meronk advanced to match play in the 2015 U.S. Amateur and represented his country in three World Amateur Team Championships.

OH BROTHER! – The are two sets of brothers playing in the U.S. Open for the first time since 1990. Alvaro and Carlos Ortiz, of Mexico, and Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, of Italy, will play this week at Torrey Pines Golf Course. The Molinaris are playing in the same U.S. Open for the third time, having also competed in 2010 and 2011. Francesco, who won the 2018 Open Championship, will make his 11th start and Edoardo will play in his fourth U.S. Open. Carlos and Alvaro Ortiz will compete in their third and first championships, respectively. Bobby and Lanny Wadkins and Ivan and Michael E. Smith were the brothers in the U.S. Open field 31 years ago at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.

ALMA MATER – Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters Tournament champion, leads a group of eight University of Georgia players who are in the 2021 U.S. Open field. The Bulldogs have the most players competing and are followed by Arizona State University and the University of Texas with six each.

Colleges with Most Players in 2021 U.S. Open

8, Georgia (H. English, B. Harman, R. Henley, K. Kisner, S. Ralston, G. Sigg, B. Todd, B. Watson)

6, Arizona State (P. Casey, M. Jones, C. Kim, P. Mickelson, J. Rahm, C. Reavie)

6, Texas (P. Coody, D. Frittelli, C. Hammer, S. Scheffler, J. Spieth, J. Vegas)

GOLDEN FLASHES – Canadians Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith were teammates at Kent State University in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. Hughes, who was two years ahead of Conners and Pendrith, will play in his fourth U.S. Open. Conners, who like Hughes has won on the PGA Tour, is making his third U.S. Open start. In 2019, he was victorious in the Valero Texas Open. Pendrith, who served as Conners’ caddie in the 2014 U.S. Amateur final at Atlanta Athletic Club, is playing in his second U.S. Open. He tied for 23rd in 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club.

STUARD OF SPRINGFIELD – Brian Stuard, of Jackson, Mich., will play in his sixth U.S. Open and he has advanced to the championship through the Springfield, Ohio, final qualifier each time. He shot 66-69 and was one of seven qualifiers on June 7. Stuard was the medalist at the Springfield final site in 2013, 2014 and 2019. Stuard, who won the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans in a playoff in 2016, was one of four players to tie for medalist in Springfield two years ago and qualify for Pebble Beach.

LONG BREAK – Steve Allan, 47, of Australia, returns to the U.S. Open following an 11-year gap since his last appearance in 2010 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links. Allan was one of two players who advanced through the Richland, Wash., final qualifier on June 7. Allan, who also qualified on the local level, was born in Melbourne after his parents emigrated from Scotland. He has played on several professional tours and won the Australian Open in 2002. Allan will compete in his sixth U.S. Open. His best finish was a tie for 28th in 2005 at Pinehurst No. 2.

LAST ONES IN – The final two spots in the U.S. Open field were filled by first alternates from final qualifying on June 7.

Amateur Cole Hammer replaced fully exempt player Mikko Korhonen, of Finland, who withdrew due to travel concerns on June 9. Hammer shot 73-65–138 at Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club in the weather-delayed Columbus qualifier that was completed on June 8. He is playing in his third U.S. Open.

The USGA held one spot for multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup, in case the winner was not exempt. However, fully exempt player Garrick Higgo won Sunday's Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Zack Sucher was then added to the field as the first alternate from the Hilton Head Island, S.C., final qualifier. He shot 69-69–138 at Long Cove Club. Sucher, who competes on the PGA Tour and has won on the Korn Ferry Tour, will play in his first U.S. Open.

ON TOUR – Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion, is among four players who have won twice on the PGA Tour this season. Garrick Higgo, of South Africa, is a two-time winner on the PGA European Tour and added a one-stroke victory in the PGA Tour’s Palmetto Championship at Congaree on June 13. Cameron Young won twice in consecutive weeks during May on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Multiple PGA Tour Winners in 2020-21

2, Patrick Cantlay (Zozo Championship at Sherwood, Memorial Tournament)

2, Stewart Cink (Safeway Open, RBC Heritage)

2, Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational)

2, Jason Kokrak (The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek, Charles Schwab)

Multiple European Tour Winners in 2020-2

2, Garrick Higgo (Gran Canaria Lopesan Open, Canary Islands Championship)

Multiple Korn Ferry Tour Winners in 2020-21

2, Cameron Young (AdventHealth Championship, Evans Scholar Invitational)

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