The U.S. Senior Open kicks off this week with 156 golfers in the field. Saucon Valley Country Club previously hosted this championship in 1992 and 2000.
Some big names will be playing the Old Course at Saucon, and here's a deep dive into the field and championship history.
U.S. Senior Open champions (10): Olin Browne (2011), Roger Chapman (2012), Fred Funk (2009), Jim Furyk (2021), Bernhard Langer (2010), Jeff Maggert (2015), Colin Montgomerie (2014), Gene Sauers (2016), Steve Stricker (2019) and David Toms (2018)
U.S. Senior Open runners-up (13): Fred Funk (2008, ’12, ‘13), Retief Goosen (2021), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2016, ‘18), Jerry Kelly (2018, ‘19), Bernhard Langer (2012), Tom Lehman (2012), Colin Montgomerie (2015), Mark O’Meara (2011), Tim Petrovic (2018), Gene Sauers (2014), David Toms (2019), Kirk Triplett (2017) and Mike Weir (2021).
U.S. Open champions (5): Michael Campbell (2005), Ernie Els (1994, ’97), Jim Furyk (2003), Retief Goosen (2001, ’04) and Lee Janzen (1993, ’98)
U.S. Open runners-up (8): Ernie Els (2000), Jim Furyk (2006, ’07, ’16), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2000), Tom Lehman (1996), Davis Love III (1996), Rocco Mediate (2008), Colin Montgomerie (1994, ‘97, 2006) and Jeff Sluman (1992)
U.S. Amateur champions (2): Mark O’Meara (1979) and Scott Verplank (1984)
U.S. Junior Amateur champions (4): David Duval (1989), Jack Larkin (1979), Brett Quigley (1987) and Willie Wood (1977)
U.S. Mid-Amateur runners-up (1): Tim Hogarth (2010)
U.S. Senior Amateur champions (1): Gene Elliott (2021)
U.S. Senior Amateur runners-up (2): Jerry Gunthorpe (2021) and Matt Sughrue (2016)
U.S. Amateur Public Links champions (2): David Berganio Jr. (1991, ’93) and Tim Hogarth (1996)
U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champions (1): Todd White (2015)
USGA champions (23): David Berganio Jr. (1991, ’93 U.S. Amateur Public Links), Olin Browne (2011 U.S. Senior Open), Michael Campbell (2005 U.S. Open), Roger Chapman (2012 U.S. Senior Open), David Duval (1989 U.S. Junior Amateur), Ernie Els (1994, ’97 U.S. Open), Fred Funk (2009 U.S. Senior Open), Jim Furyk (2003 U.S. Open, 2021 U.S. Senior Open), Retief Goosen (2001, ’04 U.S. Open), Tim Hogarth (1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links), Lee Janzen (1993, ’98 U.S. Open), Bernhard Langer (2010 U.S. Senior Open), Jack Larkin (1979 U.S. Junior Amateur), Jeff Maggert (2015 U.S. Senior Open), Colin Montgomerie (2014 U.S. Senior Open), Mark O’Meara (1979 U.S. Amateur), Brett Quigley (1987 U.S. Junior Amateur), Gene Sauers (2016 U.S. Senior Open), Steve Stricker (2019 U.S. Senior Open), David Toms (2018 U.S. Senior Open), Scott Verplank (1984 U.S. Amateur), Todd White (2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball), Willie Wood (1977 U.S. Junior Amateur)
Walker Cup Team Members:
United States (9): David Berganio Jr. (1991 ’93), David Duval (1991), Brian Gay (1993), Jay Haas (1975), Davis Love III (1985), Scott Verplank (1985), Duffy Waldorf (1985), Todd White (2013) and Willie Wood (1983)
Great Britain & Ireland (5): Peter Baker (1985), Roger Chapman (1981), Stephen Dodd (1989), Padraig Harrington (1991, ’93, ’95) and Colin Montgomerie (1985, ’87)
NCAA Division I champions (2): Jay Haas (1975) and Scott Verplank (1986)
NCAA Division II champions (1): Lee Janzen (1986)
World Amateur Team Championship competitors (10): Stephen Alker (1990, 1994, New Zealand), Robert Allenby (1990, Australia), Stephen Ames (1986, Trinidad & Tobago), Markus Brier (1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, Austria), Michael Campbell (1992, New Zealand), David Duval (1990, 1992, USA), Thomas Levet (1988, France), Colin Montgomerie (1984, 1986, Great Britain & Ireland), Vijay Singh (1980, Fiji), Scott Verplank (1984, USA)
TOTAL U.S. SENIOR OPENS WON BY 2022 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD (10): Olin Browne (1), Roger Chapman (1), Jim Furyk (1), Fred Funk (1), Bernhard Langer (1), Jeff Maggert (1), Colin Montgomerie (1), Gene Sauers (1), Steve Stricker (1) and David Toms (1)
PLAYERS IN FIELD WITH MOST U.S. SENIOR OPEN APPEARANCES (2021 included) – Jay Haas (16), Fred Funk (13), Bernhard Langer (13), Mark O’Meara (13), Jeff Sluman (13) and Tom Lehman (12)
ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE U.S. SENIOR OPEN APPEARANCES (2021 included) – Bernhard Langer (13), Jeff Sluman (13) and Tom Lehman (12)
CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD – The USGA accepted 3,001 entries in 2022, the third-highest total in championship history. Rick Sanders, a 58-year-old amateur from La Mirada, Calif., submitted his entry eight minutes before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on April 27. Tim Taylor, a 57-year-old amateur from Chandler, Ariz., was the first entrant on Feb. 22. The record for entries is 3,101 in 2002.
The 156-player field includes 76 fully exempt golfers, 10 of whom are U.S. Senior Open champions. Qualifying was played over 18 holes at 33 sites across the United States between May 2 and June 1. There were qualifying sites in 25 states, including five in California, three in Florida and two each in Pennsylvania and Texas.
The USGA accepted entries from golfers in 49 states, including 116 from host state Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia and 40 foreign countries.
AMATEURS – There are 24 amateurs in the 156-player field. Twenty or more amateurs are competing for the seventh consecutive U.S. Senior Open. Gene Elliott, last year’s U.S. Senior Amateur champion, is among this group.
Elliott, 60, of West Des Moines, Iowa, rallied to defeat Jerry Gunthorpe, 1 up, in last year’s U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Detroit. He became the third player, joining Paul Simson and Chip Lutz, to claim the national senior titles of the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. Elliott, who recovered from open-heart surgery 22 years ago, captured the 2017 and 2019 Canadian Senior Amateur and the 2021 R&A Senior Amateur.
Matt Sughrue, 61, of Arlington, Va., was the runner-up to Dave Ryan in the 2016 U.S. Senior Amateur and a quarterfinalist the following year. Sughrue, who has competed in 19 USGA championships, was an insurance professional for more than 25 years. He changed course to become a psychotherapist. He earned a master’s degree in human development and marriage & family therapy from Virginia Tech in 2012 and wrote his thesis on chronic adult male homelessness. Sughrue is also a performance coach for athletes, including golfers, baseball players and swimmers.
Tim Hogarth, 56, of Northridge, Calif., won the 1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and was the runner-up to Nathan Smith in the 2010 U.S. Mid-Amateur. He is playing in his fifth U.S. Senior Open and 36th USGA championship after earning medalist honors with a 66 in the Jurupa Valley, Calif., qualifier on May 31.
Note: There were 35 amateurs in the 2021 U.S. Senior Open at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club and four played all 72 holes. William C. (Bill) Campbell (1980) and Tim Jackson (2009) are the only amateurs to hold the lead at a U.S. Senior Open through 36 holes.
Amateurs in Senior Open
Year Number Made Cut Top Finisher
2022 24 ^^ ^^^^^
2021 35 4 William Mitchell, 46th (tie)
2020 ^^ ^^ No Championship
2019 23 0 none
2018 24 3 Jeff Wilson, 31st (tie)
2017 20 1 Robby Funk, 54th (tie)
2016 23 1 Chip Lutz, 37th (tie)
2015 27 3 Michael McCoy, 26th (tie)
2014 17 2 Michael McCoy, 26th (tie)
2013 28 1 Doug Hanzel, 56th
2012 35 2 Doug Hanzel, 53rd (tie)
2011 29 1 Tim Jackson, 50th (tie)
2010 30 3 Tim Jackson, 32nd (tie)
2009 28 3 Tim Jackson, 11th (tie)
2008 29 6 Danny Green, 37th (tie)
2007 31 5 Danny Green, George Zahringer, 33rd (tie)
2006 33 1 Randy Reifers, 47th (tie)
2005 30 4 Greg Reynolds, George Zahringer, 31st (tie)
2004 25 1 Patrick Tallent, 54th (tie)
2003 33 0 none
2002 29 2 Bob Clark, 56th (tie)
2001 26 4 Paul Simson, 40th (tie)
2000 26 4 Kemp Richardson, 47th (tie)
1999 23 2 Kemp Richardson, 46th (tie)
1998 30 1 Joel Hirsch, 59th (tie)
1997 29 4 Marvin (Vinny) Giles III, 55th (tie)
1996 32 3 Marvin (Vinny) Giles III, 54th (tie)
1995 40 3 Bob Housen, 38th (tie)
1994 36 4 Johnny Stevens, 28th (tie)
1993 39 5 Marvin (Vinny) Giles III, 35th (tie)
1992 38 4 Morris Beecroft, 32nd (tie)
1991 37 5 Jim Patti, 34th (tie)
1990 39 5 Gary Cowan, 31st (tie)
1989 43 10 Jim McMurtrey, 28th (tie)
1988 47 10 Bob Housen, 25th (tie)
1987 43 9 Dennis Iden, 42nd (tie)
1986 37 7 Robert Hoff, 37th (tie)
1985 53 7 William Hyndman III, 18th (tie)
1984 54 13 Dale Morey, Fordie Pitts Jr., 13th (tie)
1983 46 9 Robert Rawlins, 15th (tie)
1982 42 4 John Harbottle, 42nd
1981 45 6 Glenn Johnson, 16th (tie)
1980 67 16 William C. Campbell, 2nd
QUALIFIERS – John Huston, Duffy Waldorf, John Senden, Harrison Frazar, Ken Duke, Matt Gogel, Willie Wood and Mark Hensby, who have all won on the PGA Tour, are among the 80 U.S. Senior Open qualifiers.
Huston was the medalist with a 65 in the Ball Ground, Ga., qualifier at Hawks Ridge Golf Club on May 10. He won seven times on the PGA Tour between 1990 and 2003 and will be competing in his sixth U.S. Senior Open. Waldorf, who shot a 69 in the Fort Wayne, Ind., qualifier on May 19, has won four PGA Tour events and is a two-time winner on PGA Tour Champions. He has competed in eight U.S. Senior Opens and 13 U.S. Opens.
Senden captured two PGA Tour tournaments, including the 2014 Valspar Championship. He has played in seven U.S. Opens. Gogel, who claimed the 2002 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Frazar, Duke, Wood and Hensby each recorded one victory on the PGA Tour.
Greg Kraft tied for 28th in the 2021 U.S. Senior Open, the best finish by a qualifier. Tim Petrovic tied for second with Jerry Kelly in 2018 at The Broadmoor, which was the best result by a qualifier since Don Pooley’s victory in 2002.
Note: In 2002, Don Pooley became the only player to win the U.S. Senior Open as a qualifier.
Qualifiers in Senior Open
Year Number Made Cut Top Finisher
2022 80 ^^ ^^^^^
2021 82 19 Greg Kraft, 28th (tie)
2020 ^^ ^^ No Championship
2019 81 10 Doug Garwood, Fran Quinn, 14th (tie)
2018 90 18 Tim Petrovic, 2nd (tie)
2017 80 14 Glen Day, 6th
2016 80 15 Glen Day, Jeff Gallagher, 18th (tie)
2015 85 24 Gramt Waite, 3rd (tie)
2014 86 20 Marco Dawson, 5th (tie)
2013 85 15 Bart Bryant, 9th (tie)
2012 85 16 Lance Ten Broeck, 9th (tie)
2011 86 15 Steve Pate, 9th (tie)
2010 92 25 J.L. Lewis, John Morse, 12th (tie)
2009 83 16 Russ Cochran, 3rd
2008 85 17 Jeff Klein, 9th (tie)
2007 91 21 Jeff Woodward, 11th (tie)
2006 89 16 Andy Bean, 5th (tie)
2005 87 21 Perry Arthur, 14th (tie)
2004 86 16 John Harris, 11th (tie)
2003 81 15 R.W. Eaks, Dan Halldorson, 19th (tie)
2002 89 17 Don Pooley, won
2001 90 21 Ted Goin, 16th (tie)
2000 88 20 Ed Sabo, 15th (tie)
1999 96 23 Frank Conner, 8th (tie)
1998 95 18 Dan Wood, 7th (tie)
1997 95 24 Hugh Baiocchi, Leonard Thompson, 5th (tie)
1996 100 22 Frank Conner, 12th (tie)
1995 101 19 Brian Barnes, 12th (tie)
1994 104 23 Dave Eichelberger, 13th (tie)
1993 98 18 Tommy Aycock, 7th (tie)
1992 97 25 Carl Lohren, 14th (tie)
1991 107 28 Babe Hiskey, 15th (tie)
1990 105 28 Rocky Thompson, 15th (tie)
1989 95 34 Jim Dent, 3rd (tie)
1988 95 23 J.C. Goosie, 15th (tie)
1987 102 29 Don Massengale, 5th
1986 95 31 Bob Toski, 10th (tie)
1985 99 30 Walter Zembriski, 4th (tie)
1984 107 33 Al Mengert, 10th (tie)
1983 111 38 Guy Wolstenholme, 4th
1982 111 25 Ken Towns, 7th
1981 104 27 Bob Stone, 2nd (tie)
1980 125 36 Charles Sifford, 4th
QUALIFYING HISTORY
John Huston, who competed in 12 U.S. Opens, including a fourth-place finish in 2000 at Pebble Beach, and Richard Green, a three-time winner on the PGA European Tour, were among six players who shot the lowest round (65) in this year’s U.S. Senior Open qualifying. In 2018, Kent Jones matched the lowest round in Senior Open qualifying history with a bogey-free 63 in the Santa Fe, N.M., qualifier. He had one eagle and seven birdies at Las Campanas (Sunset Course). Leonard Thompson fired a 63 at Florence (S.C.) Country Club in 2006 and Jimmy Blanks shot the same score at Grenelefe Golf & Tennis Resort, in Haines City, Fla., in 1996.
U.S. Senior Open Qualifying Low Scores (Since 1980)
63, Kent Jones, 2018 (The Club at Las Campanas; Santa Fe, N.M.)
63, Leonard Thompson, 2006 (Florence, S.C.; Florence C.C.)
63, Jimmy Blanks, 1996 (Haines City, Fla.; Grenelefe Golf & Tennis Resort)
64, Clark Dennis, 2017 (Dallas, Texas; Las Colinas Country Club)
64, Brad Lardon, 2016 (The Woodlands, Texas; Club at Carlton Woods / Nicklaus Course)
64, Bill Harvey, 2014 (Albuquerque, N.M.; Albuquerque C.C.)
64, a-Bert Atkinson, 2009 (Florence, S.C.; Florence C.C.)
64, Steve Haskins, 2009 (Albuquerque, N.M.; Albuquerque C.C.)
64, Wesley Burton, 2007 (Boynton Beach, Fla.; Quail Ridge C.C. / North Course)
64, Rod Souza, 2004 (Copperopolis, Calif.; Saddle Creek C.C.)
64, Robert Gaona, 2002 (Goodyear, Ariz.; Tuscany Falls C.C.)
64, Dick McClean, 2001 (Redlands, Calif.; Redlands C.C.)
64, Steve Moreland, 2000 (Charlotte, N.C.; Cedarwood C.C.)
2022 U.S. SENIOR OPEN NOTES
►Saucon Valley Country Club will be hosting its third U.S. Senior Open (1992, 2000, 2022)
►The 42nd U.S. Senior Open is the 90th USGA championship to be conducted in Pennsylvania
►This will be the seventh time the U.S. Senior Open Championship is held in the Mid-Atlantic Region
►Jim Furyk will attempt to become the fourth player to win consecutive U.S. Senior Opens
►Saucon Valley is the first club to host the U.S. Senior Open Championship three times
USGA AND SAUCON VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB
This is the eighth USGA championship and third U.S. Senior Open to be conducted at Saucon Valley Country Club. Larry Laoretti (1992) and Hale Irwin (2000) won the previous Senior Opens and Saucon Valley will be the first course to host the championship three times. The most recent championship was the 2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur, won by Scott Harvey. Here are the previous USGA championships held at Saucon Valley C.C.:
1951 U.S. Amateur: Billy Maxwell def. Joseph F. Gagliardi, 4 and 3
1983 U.S. Junior Amateur: Tim Straub def. John Mahon, 1 up
1987 U.S. Senior Amateur: John Richardson def. James Kite Jr., 5 and 4
1992 U.S. Senior Open: Larry Laoretti by four strokes over Jim Colbert (275-279)
2000 U.S. Senior Open: Hale Irwin by three strokes over Bruce Fleisher (267-270)
2009 U.S. Women’s Open: Eun-Hee Ji by one stroke over Candie Kung (284-285)
2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur: Scott Harvey def. Brad Nurski, 6 and 5
2022 U.S. Senior Open Players Who Competed in 2014 U.S. Mid-Amateur (4): Ken Tanigawa (Rd. 64), Jon Veneziano (FQ), Todd White (Quarterfinals), Ned Zachar (Rd. 16)
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PENNSYLVANIA (90)
The U.S. Senior Open will be the 90th USGA championship contested in the state of Pennsylvania. Merion Golf Club hosted the 42nd Curtis Cup Match earlier this month. Pennsylvania is the all-time leader in USGA championship hosted, while California is second with 85.
U.S. Open (17): 1907, 1910, 1927, 1934, 1935, 1939, 1950, 1953, 1962, 1971, 1973, 1981, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2013, 2016
U.S. Women’s Open (9): 1952, 1959, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1996, 2009, 2010, 2015
U.S. Senior Open (4): 1989, 1992, 2000, 2022
U.S. Amateur (14): 1916, 1919, 1924, 1925, 1930, 1938, 1951, 1966, 1969, 1977, 1989, 2003, 2005, 2021
U.S. Women’s Amateur (14): 1899, 1904, 1909, 1919, 1923, 1934, 1949, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1985, 2003, 2004, 2016
U.S. Girls’ Junior (5): 1949, 1954, 1966, 1985, 1998
U.S. Junior Amateur (3): 1983, 1997, 1999
U.S. Senior Amateur (3): 1965, 1971, 1987
U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur (6): 1962, 1972, 1983, 1987, 2001, 2012
U.S. Mid-Amateur (2): 2014, 2016
U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur (2): 1990, 2016
U.S. Amateur Public Links (5): 1928, 1934, 1957, 1965, 1969
U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links (2): 1980, 1997
Curtis Cup Match (3): 1954, 2002, 2022
Walker Cup Match (1): 2009
U.S. SENIOR OPENS IN MID-ATLANTIC REGION
1980: Winged Foot Golf Club (East Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y. (Roberto De Vicenzo)
1984: Oak Hill Country Club (East Course), Rochester, N.Y. (Miller Barber)
1989: Laurel Valley Country Club, Ligonier, Pa. (Orville Moody)
1990: The Ridgewood Country Club (Center and West nines), Paramus, N.J. (Lee Trevino)
1992: Saucon Valley Country Club (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa. (Larry Laoretti)
2000: Saucon Valley Country Club (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa. (Hale Irwin)
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SAUCON VALLEY
Saucon Valley Country Club hosted the Pennsylvania State Amateur in 2008, won by Mike Van Sickle, and in 2013, won by Chris Ault. Brian Kelly won the Pennsylvania Open at the club in 1987.
HOLE BY HOLE – Saucon Valley Country Club will be set up at 7,028 yards and will play to a par of 36-35–71. The yardage for each round of the championship will vary due to course setup and conditions.
Saucon Valley Country Club (Old Course) Hole By Hole
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
Par 5 4 4 3 4 5 4 4 3 36
Yardage 555 472 374 157 476 558 456 426 210 3,684
Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total
Par 4 3 5 4 4 4 4 3 4 35
Yardage 330 183 615 454 422 351 382 172 435 3,344
COURSE RATING AND SLOPE – Based on the course setup for the championship, the Course Rating™ is 74.9. The Slope Rating® is 141.
THE COURSE – Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course was designed by Herbert Strong and opened in 1922. Revisions were completed by William Gordon, Perry Maxwell and most recently Tom Marzolf from the Fazio Group in 2008. Saucon Valley’s historic 850-acre facility also features the Weyhill Course, the Grace Course and a six-hole course for juniors and novice golfers. The club is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
LONGEST U.S. SENIOR OPEN COURSES
7,269 yards, Crooked Stick G.C., second round, Carmel, Ind., 2009
7,249 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), first round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
7,248 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), fourth round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
7,241 yards, Crooked Stick G.C., first round, Carmel, Ind., 2009
7,223 yards, Crooked Stick G.C., fourth round, Carmel, Ind., 2009
7,217 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), first round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
7,208 yards, Crooked Stick G.C., third round, Carmel, Ind., 2009
7,192 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), third round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
7,185 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), fourth round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
7,164 yards, Inverness Club, fourth round, Toledo, Ohio, 2011
7,156 yards, The Broadmoor (East Course), third round, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
LONG HOLES – In 2021, Omaha Country Club’s third hole matched the third-longest par 3 in U.S. Senior Open history, The Warren Course at Notre Dame featured the longest par 3 in 2019, the 250-yard fifth hole in the fourth round. The Broadmoor’s 12th hole on the East Course is the second-longest and played to 244 yards in the first round of the 2008 championship.
LONGEST PAR 3s IN U.S. SENIOR OPEN HISTORY
250 yards, 5th, first round, Warren Course at Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., 2019
244 yards, 12th, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
240 yards, 5th, first round, Warren Course at Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., 2019
240 yards, 3rd, second round, Omaha (Neb.) C.C., 2021
239 yards, 12th, third round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
238 yards, 12th, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
237 yards, 14th, third round, Scioto C.C., Columbus, Ohio, 2016
235 yards, 15th, second round, Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio, 2011
235 yards, 3rd, third round, Omaha (Neb.) C.C., 2021
234 yards, 17th, fourth round, Del Paso C.C., Sacramento, Calif., 2015
LONGEST PAR 4s IN U.S. SENIOR OPEN HISTORY
559 yards, 17th, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
545 yards, 17th, second round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
545 yards, 17th, third round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
538 yards, 17th, second round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
532 yards, 17th, fourth round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
517 yards, 17th, third round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
510 yards, 17th, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
503 yards, 10th, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
502 yards, 10th, fourth round, Omaha (Neb.) C.C., 2013
502 yards, 10th, second round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
LONGEST PAR 5s IN U.S. SENIOR OPEN HISTORY
627 yards, 15th, third round, Del Paso C.C., Sacramento, Calif., 2015
608 yards, 7th, Brooklawn Country Club, Fairfield, Conn., 1987
608 yards, 6th, Canterbury Golf Club, Beachwood, Ohio, 1996
608 yards, 3rd, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
608 yards, 3rd, fourth round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2018
604 yards, 15th, first round, Del Paso Country Club, Sacramento, Calif., 2015
601 yards, 3rd, first round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
601 yards, 3rd, fourth round, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2008
600 yards, 5th, second round, Crooked Stick Golf Club, Carmel, Ind., 2009
600 yards, 5th, fourth round, Crooked Stick Golf Club, Carmel, Ind., 2009
600 yards, 14th, first round, Oak Tree National, Edmond, Okla., 2014
THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IN THE SENIOR OPEN
Colin Montgomerie – the last international winner (2014)
Allen Doyle – the last to defend title successfully (2006)
Jim Furyk – the last to win on his first attempt (2021)
David Toms – the last to win on his second attempt (2018)
Olin Browne – the last start-to-finish winner with no ties (2011)
Hale Irwin – the last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to win by one stroke (1998)
Gary Player – the last winner without a round in the 60s (1988)
Steve Stricker – the last winner with all rounds in the 60s (2019)
Gene Sauers – the last defending champion to miss the cut (2017)
Don Pooley – the last winner to come through final qualifying (2002)
FUTURE U.S. SENIOR OPENS
June 29-July 2, 2023: SentryWorld, Stevens Point, Wis.
June 27-20, 2024: Newport (R.I.) Country Club
June 26-29, 2025: The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.
2030 (Dates TBD): Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif.
PAST SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONS – Since the U.S. Senior Open began in 1980, three players have successfully defended their title: Miller Barber (1984-’85), Gary Player (1987-’88) and Allen Doyle (2005-’06). In 2018, David Toms became the second player to win the championship after missing the cut the previous year.
In Defense of the Senior Open
Year Champion Previous Year Result in Defense
2021 Jim Furyk did not play ^^
2020 No Championship
2019 Steve Stricker did not play did not play (2021)
2018 David Toms missed cut tie, 2nd
2017 Kenny Perry withdrew tie, 40th
2016 Gene Sauers tie, 47th missed cut
2015 Jeff Maggert tie, 55th tie, 30th
2014 Colin Montgomerie tie, 30th 2nd
2013 Kenny Perry missed cut tie, 14th
2012 Roger Chapman did not play missed cut
2011 Olin Browne tie, 3rd tie, 36th
2010 Bernhard Langer 4th tie, 12th
2009 Fred Funk 2nd tie, 43rd
2008 Eduardo Romero tie, 22nd tie, 19th
2007 Brad Bryant tie, 14th tie, 14th
2006 Allen Doyle won missed cut
2005 Allen Doyle tie, 42nd won
2004 Peter Jacobsen did not play tie, 26th
2003 Bruce Lietzke tie, 21st tie, 19th
2002 Don Pooley did not play tie, 43rd
2001 Bruce Fleisher 2nd missed cut
2000 Hale Irwin tie, 3rd tie, 11th
1999 Dave Eichelberger 56th tie, 34th
1998 Hale Irwin tie, 5th tie, 3rd
1997 Graham Marsh 4th missed cut
1996 Dave Stockton tie, 21st missed cut
1995 Tom Weiskopf tie, 4th tie, 35th
1994 Simon Hobday tie, 10th tie, 35th
1993 Jack Nicklaus tie, 3rd tie, 7th
1992 Larry Laoretti did not play tie, 46th
1991 Jack Nicklaus 2nd tie, 3rd
1990 Lee Trevino did not play tie, 4th
1989 Orville Moody tie, 4th tie, 11th
1988 Gary Player won tie, 9th
1987 Gary Player 2nd won
1986 Dale Douglass did not play tie, 6th
1985 Miller Barber won 7th
1984 Miller Barber 3rd won
1983 Billy Caster tie, 13th tie, 14th
1982 Miller Barber 6th 3rd
1981 Arnold Palmer did not play tie, 5th
1980 Roberto De Vicenzo did not play did not play
WHAT THE CHAMPION RECEIVES
Among the benefits the 2022 U.S. Senior Open champion receives are:
►A gold medal and custody of the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy for the ensuing year
►An exemption from final qualifying for the 2023 U.S. Open Championship
►An exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Senior Open Championships
SENIOR MAJOR CHAMPIONS – Steve Stricker and Alex Cejka have each won two of the seven senior major championships played since the beginning of 2021 season. Jerry Kelly, a two-time U.S. Senior Open runner-up, won the only senior major played in 2020 due to the pandemic. Bernhard Langer has won 11 senior major professional titles. Langer became the all-time leader in that category with his 2017 Senior PGA Championship victory. Jack Nicklaus is second with eight and Hale Irwin is third with seven.
Winners of Recent Senior Major Championships
Year Winner (Championship) Result
2022 Steven Alker (Senior PGA) (-16, 268)
2022 Steve Stricker (Tradition) (-21, 267)
2021 Stephen Dodd (Sr. Open Champ.) (-13, 267)
2021 Jim Furyk (U.S. Senior Open) (-7, 273)
2021 Steve Stricker (Senior Players) (-7, 273)
2021 Alex Cejka (Senior PGA) (-8, 272)
2021 Alex Cejka (Tradition) (-18, 270)
2020 Jerry Kelly (Senior Players) (-3, 277)
2019 Bernhard Langer (Sr. Open Champ.) (-6, 274)
2019 Retief Goosen (Senior Players) (-6, 274)
2019 Steve Stricker (U.S. Senior Open) (-19, 261)
2019 Ken Tanigawa (Senior PGA) (-3, 277)
2019 Steve Stricker (Tradition) (-18, 270)
2018 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Sr. Open Champ.) (-12, 276)
2018 Vijah Singh (Senior Players) (-20, 268)
2018 David Toms (U.S. Senior Open) (-3, 277)
2018 Paul Broadhurst (Senior PGA) (-19, 265)
2018 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Tradition) (-19, 269)
2017 Bernhard Langer (Sr. Open Champ.) (-4, 280)
2017 Scott McCarron (Senior Players) (-18, 270)
2017 Kenny Perry (U.S. Senior Open) (-16, 264)
2017 Bernhard Langer (Senior PGA) (-18, 270)
2017 Bernhard Langer (Tradition) (-20, 268)
2016 Gene Sauers (U.S. Senior Open) (-3, 277)
2016 Paul Broadhurst (Sr. Open Champ.) (-11, 277)
2016 Bernhard Langer (Senior Players) (+1, 281)
2016 Rocco Mediate (Senior PGA) (-19, 265)
2016 Bernhard Langer (Tradition) (-17, 271)
2015 Marco Dawson (Sr. Open Champ.) (-16, 264)
2015 Jeff Maggert (U.S. Senior Open) (-10, 270)
2015 Bernhard Langer (Senior Players) (-19, 265)
2015 Colin Montgomerie (Senior PGA) (-8, 280)
2015 Jeff Maggert (Tradition) (-14, 274, def. K. Sutherland in playoff)
2014 Bernhard Langer (Sr. Open Champ.) (-18, 266)
2014 Colin Montgomerie (U.S. Senior Open) (-5, 279, def. G. Sauers in playoff)
2014 Bernhard Langer (Senior Players) (-15, 265, def. J. Sluman in playoff)
2014 Colin Montgomerie (Senior PGA) (-13, 271)
2014 Kenny Perry (Tradition) (-7, 281)
2013 Mark Wiebe (Sr. Open Champ.) (-9, 271, def. B. Langer in playoff)
2013 Kenny Perry (U.S. Senior Open) (-13, 267)
2013 Kenny Perry (Senior Players) (-19, 261)
2013 David Frost (Tradition) (-16, 272)
2013 Kohki Idoki (Senior PGA) (-11, 273)
2012 Fred Couples (Sr. Open Champ.) (-9, 271)
2012 Roger Chapman (U.S. Senior Open) (-10, 270)
2012 Joe Daley (Senior Players) (-14, 266)
2012 Tom Lehman (Tradition) (-14, 274)
2012 Roger Chapman (Senior PGA) (-13, 271)
2011 Fred Couples (Senior Players) (-11, 273, def. J. Cook in playoff)
2011 Olin Browne (U.S. Senior Open) (-15, 269)
2011 Russ Cochran (Sr. Open Champ.) (-12, 276)
2011 Tom Watson (Senior PGA) (-10, 278, def. D. Eger in playoff)
2011 Tom Lehman (Tradition) (-13, 275, def. P. Senior in playoff)
2010 Mark O'Meara (Senior Players) (-7, 273, def. M. Allen in playoff)
2010 Fred Funk (Tradition) (-12, 276)
2010 Bernhard Langer (U.S. Senior Open) (-8, 272)
2010 Bernhard Langer (Sr. Open Champ.) (-5, 279)
2010 Tom Lehman (Senior PGA) (-7, 281, def. F. Couples & D. Frost in playoff
CAREER SENIOR MAJOR LEADERS – Bernhard Langer, who has won all five senior major professional titles, is the career leader in that category with 11. Jack Nicklaus, a two-time U.S. Senior Open champion, is second with eight senior major professional titles. Hale Irwin, who won the U.S. Senior Open in 1998 and 2000, is third with seven senior majors.
Career Senior Major Leaders
Number, Winners, Years of Championships
11, Bernhard Langer (2010 U.S. Senior Open; 2014, ’15, ‘16 Senior Players; 2010, ’14, ’17, ‘19 Sr. Open Champ.; 2016, ‘17 Tradition; 2017 Senior PGA)
8, Jack Nicklaus (1991, ’93 U.S. Senior Open; 1990, ’91, ’95, ’96 Tradition; 1990 Senior Players, 1991 Senior PGA)
7, Hale Irwin (1998, 2000 U.S. Senior Open; 1996, ’97, ’98, 2004 Senior PGA; 1999 Senior Players)
6, Gary Player (1987, ’88 U.S. Senior Open; 1986 ‘88, ’90 Senior PGA; 1987 Senior Players)
6, Tom Watson (2003, ’05, ’07 Sr. Open Champ.; 2001, ’11 Senior PGA; 2003 Tradition)
5, Miller Barber (1982, ’84, ’85 U.S. Senior Open; 1981 Senior PGA; 1983 Senior Players)
5, Arnold Palmer (1981 U.S. Senior Open; 1980, ’84 Senior PGA; 1984, ’85 Senior Players)
4, Steve Stricker (2019 U.S. Senior Open; 2019, ‘22 Tradition; 2021 Senior Players)
4, Allen Doyle (2005, ’06 U.S. Senior Open; 1999 Senior PGA; 2001 Senior Players)
4, Raymond Floyd (1996, 2000 Senior Players; 1994 Tradition; 1995 Senior PGA)
4, Kenny Perry (2013, ‘17 U.S. Senior Open; 2013 Senior Players; 2014 Tradition)
4, Loren Roberts (2006, ’09 Sr. Open Champ.; 2005 Tradition; 2007 Senior Players)
4, Lee Trevino (1990 U.S. Senior Open; 1992, ’94 Senior PGA; 1992 Tradition)
3, Fred Funk (2009 U.S. Senior Open; 2008, ’10 Tradition)
3, Jay Haas (2006, ’08 Senior PGA; 2009 Senior Players)
3, Tom Lehman (2011, ’12 Tradition; 2010 Senior PGA)
3, Colin Montgomerie (2014 Senior PGA; 2014 U.S. Senior Open; 2015 Senior PGA)
3, Gil Morgan (1997, ’98 Tradition; 1998 Senior Players)
3, Dave Stockton (1996 U.S. Senior Open; 1992, ’94 Senior Players)
Bold – 2022 U.S. Senior Open competitor
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
The 42nd U.S. Senior Open will receive at least 20 hours of broadcast coverage. Rolex is the exclusive presenting partner of coverage for eight USGA championships in 2022, including the U.S. Senior Open. Rolex’s commitment will allow an uninterrupted broadcast of these championships, providing fans with hours of continuous live action.
Led by producer Jesse Wesp and director John DelVecchio, NBCUniversal’s production will utilize a roster of broadcasters that includes three USGA champions – Gary Koch (1970 U.S. Junior Amateur), John Cook (1978 U.S. Amateur) and Peter Jacobsen (2004 U.S. Senior Open). Rich Lerner (anchor) and Jim Gallagher Jr. are also part of the broadcast team. Jacobsen, who won the Senior Open in his first attempt, has played in 17 U.S. Opens and 13 Senior Opens. Cook has competed in 23 U.S. Opens and 12 Senior Opens. Koch, who tied for sixth in the 1982 U.S. Open, was a member of two USA Walker Cup Teams (1973, 1975) and Gallagher Jr. played in 10 U.S. Opens. Lerner, who grew up working on his father’s driving range and miniature golf course in nearby Allentown, Pa., has been a mainstay at Golf Channel since 1997.
Date/Day Time (Local/EDT) Network Coverage
June 23/Thursday 2-7 p.m. *Peacock First Round
10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (tape) Golf Channel First Round
June 24/Friday 2-7 p.m. *Peacock Second Round
10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (tape) Golf Channel Second Round
June 25/Saturday 2-3 p.m. *Peacock Third Round
3-7 p.m. Golf Channel Third Round
June 26/Sunday 2-3 p.m. *Peacock Fourth Round
3-7 p.m. Golf Channel Fourth Round
*Peacock subscription not needed for U.S. Senior Open
HISTORY – This is the 42nd U.S. Senior Open Championship. The first U.S. Senior Open, played in 1980, was conducted for golfers 55 and older. The next year, the USGA lowered the minimum age to 50.
Miller Barber captured the first of his three U.S. Senior Open titles in 1982 – he also won in 1984 and 1985. The U.S. Senior Open has five two-time winners: Gary Player (1987, 1988), Jack Nicklaus (1991, 1993), Hale Irwin (1998, 2000), Allen Doyle (2005, 2006) and Kenny Perry (2013, 2017). Doyle became the championship’s oldest winner in 2006 at the age of 57 years, 11 months, 14 days.
The youngest champion is Dale Douglass, who won in 1986 at the age of 50 years, 3 months, 24 days.
WINNERS OF U.S. OPEN & U.S. SENIOR OPEN
Winners, Years of Championships
Billy Casper (1959, 1966 U.S. Open; 1983 U.S. Senior Open)
Jim Furyk (2003 U.S. Open; 2021 U.S. Senior Open)
Hale Irwin (1974, 1979, 1990 U.S. Open; 1998, 2000 U.S. Senior Open)
Orville Moody (1969 U.S. Open; 1989 U.S. Senior Open)
Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 U.S. Open; 1991, 1993 U.S. Senior Open)
Arnold Palmer (1960 U.S. Open; 1981 U.S. Senior Open)
Gary Player (1965 U.S. Open; 1987, 1988 U.S. Senior Open)
Lee Trevino (1968, 1971 U.S. Open: 1990 U.S. Senior Open)
CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
The U.S. Senior Open, first contested in 1980, is just in its fifth decade as a USGA championship. Yet the U.S. Senior Open Trophy is actually the oldest among the USGA’s championship trophies.
On Sept. 24, 1894, the Tuxedo Club of Tuxedo Park, N.Y., invited three other clubs to compete in the first American interclub tournament. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Saint Andrew’s Golf Club, and The Country Club of Brookline, Mass., agreed to the challenge. While there is still some dispute as to which team won, the team from The Country Club, consisting of H.C. Leeds, Laurence Curtis, Robert Bacon and W.B. Thomas, returned home with the trophy. The sterling silver, hourglass-shaped cup remained in the club’s possession until the mid-1950s, when it was given to the USGA for exhibition.
In June 1980, with the USGA preparing for the first U.S. Senior Open, The Country Club suggested that the trophy be used as the formal award for the championship. The cup was presented “by The Country Club and Golfers of Massachusetts,” and formally dedicated as the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy. Roberto De Vicenzo received it at Winged Foot Golf Club as the inaugural champion. A replica of the trophy, complete with engraving of the 1894 Brookline team, was produced by the USGA in 1997 and awarded to Graham Marsh at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois. The original was then given its second and final retirement and is on display at the USGA Golf Museum in Liberty Corner, N.J.
TWO-TEE START – A two-tee start was adopted for the 2001 U.S. Senior Open. The USGA had adopted a two-tee start for the U.S. Women’s Open in 2000 and used the format for the first time in the U.S. Open in 2002. Play will begin at 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday on the first and 10th tees at Saucon Valley Country Club.
SENIOR OPEN PRIZE MONEY – Steve Stricker earned $720,000 from a purse of $4 million when he captured the 2021 U.S. Senior Open. Hale Irwin received $400,000 from a purse of $2.25 million when the championship was played in 2000 at Saucon Valley Country Club. In 1980, Roberto De Vicenzo won the first U.S. Senior Open and earned $20,000.
SENIOR OPEN BIRTHDAYS – Six players in the U.S. Senior Open field will be celebrating a birthday around the championship. Colin Montgomerie, who turns 59 on June 23, the first round of the championship, won the 2014 U.S. Senior Open and owns 31 PGA European Tour victories. Paul Goydos, who celebrates his 58th birthday on June 20, has been victorious on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
2022 U.S. Senior Open Competitors
Name Birthdate Age (on birthday)
Paul Goydos 6-20-64 58
Colin Montgomerie 6-23-63 59
a-Jon Veneziano 6-23-71 51
Naoyuki Tamura 6-24-64 58
a-Robert Funk 6-28-63 59
Mark Hensby 6-29-71 51
OLDEST & YOUNGEST – Pat O’Donnell, a 68-year-old amateur from Happy Valley, Ore., is the oldest player in this year’s U.S. Senior Open field. O’Donnell, who is playing in his third U.S. Senior Open, was the runner-up in the 2013 U.S. Senior Amateur. Jay Haas, who has played in 16 U.S. Senior Opens and has five top-10 finishes, is also 68 years old. Haas competed in 27 U.S. Opens, with his best finish a tie for fourth in 1995 at Shinnecock Hills. William Ayres, an amateur who was the co-medalist in the Oakland, Calif., qualifier, is the youngest, having turned 50 on June 1.
FIELD FOR THE AGES – Five players in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open field have celebrated their 50th birthday since January. Y.E. Yang, who is most famous for rallying to defeat Tiger Woods in the 2009 PGA Championship, turned 50 on Jan. 15. Yang, a self-taught golfer from the Republic of Korea, has won on six different tours, including the PGA Tour, PGA European Tour, Japan Tour, Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia. Yang, who owns an indoor golf range near Dallas, Texas, played in six U.S. Opens, with his best finish a tie for third in 2011 at Congressional Country Club.
There are 29 players in the field who are 60 or older. Olin Browne (2011), Roger Chapman (2012), Fred Funk (2009) and Bernhard Langer (2010) are U.S. Senior Open champions.
The average age of the 156-player field is 55.50.
INTERNATIONAL GROUP – There are 20 countries represented in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open. The USA has 115 players in the field, while Australia has seven and Canada and England each have four.
Countries with players in the field: United States (115), Australia (7), Canada (4), England (4), Republic of Korea (3), South Africa (3), Argentina (2), Germany (2), Japan (2), New Zealand (2), Sweden (2), Wales (2), Austria (1), Fiji (1), France (1), Republic of Ireland (1), Northern Ireland (1), Scotland (1), Spain (1) and Thailand (1)
FIRST TIME IN U.S. SENIOR OPEN – There are 57 players in the 2022 championship field who are playing in their first U.S. Senior Open. Three major champions are competing for the first time. Padraig Harrington won the 2007 and 2008 Open Championships and 2008 PGA Championship. David Duval and Y.E. Yang claimed the 2001 Open Championship and 2009 PGA Championship, respectively. Stuart Appleby (9), K.J. Choi (8) and Robert Allenby (4) won multiple tournaments on the PGA Tour.
List of First-Time U.S. Senior Open Competitors (57): Anthony Aguilar, Stephen Alker, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, a-William Ayres, David Bahr, Kevin Baker, Peter Baker, a-James Barnes, David Berganio Jr., John Bickerton, a-Davis Boland, Tim Cantwell, a-Don Carpenter, K.J. Choi, Gavin Coles, David Duval, Harrison Frazar, Brian Gay, Tom Gillis, Rafael Gomez, Jeff Gove, Richard Green, a-Jerry Gunthorpe, Padraig Harrington, a-Bryan Hoops, David Hronek, Andrew Johnson, a-Joel Johnson, a-Mike Karney, Jonathan Kaye, Ed Kirby, Rob Labritz, Bob May, a-Miles McConnell, Alan McLean, Kelly Mitchum, Michael Molino, Michael Muehr, a-David Noll, Britt Pavelonis, Tracy Phillips, Dolph Order, Micah Rudosky, Andrew Sapp, Jeffrey Schmid, John Senden, Brian Spitz, Naoyuki Tamura, Craig Thomas, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Omar Uresti, Bill Van Orman, a-Jon Veneziano, Tim Weinhart, Charlie Wi, Y.E. Yang.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE I – Dave McNabb, 56, of Malvern, Pa., is the head professional at Applebrook Golf Club, located 54 miles south of Saucon Valley Country Club. He shot a 1-under 70 in the Doylestown, Pa., qualifier on May 19 to advance to his second U.S. Senior Open. McNabb, who did not play competitively in high school or college, previously competed in the 2017 Senior Open at Salem Country Club. His qualifying round was highlighted by back-to-back birdies on Nos. 13 (30 feet) and 14 (6 feet) and consecutive par saves on holes 8 and 9.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE II – Michael Molino, 53, of Dallas, Pa., qualified for his first U.S. Senior Open by advancing from a 2-for-1 playoff at Indiana (Pa.) Country Club on May 18. He shot 3-under 68 and then converted a two-putt birdie from 80 feet on the par-5 first playoff hole. Molino is head professional at the Country Club of Scranton, located 85 miles northwest of Saucon Valley Country Club.
FIRST-TIME FURYK – Jim Furyk, 52, became the second consecutive U.S. Senior Open champion to win on his first attempt. Steve Stricker won the 2019 title and was the first since Roger Chapman in 2012 to accomplish the feat. Furyk also became the eighth player to capture both the U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open titles. He won the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club, three strokes ahead of Stephen Leaney. Furyk played in his 25th U.S. Open last week at The Country Club and was exempt from qualifying based on last year’s Senior Open victory. Furyk missed the cut in the U.S. Open by one stroke with rounds of 74-70.
HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH – Billy Mitchell, 58, of Roswell, Ga., is a performance health coach who has trained PGA Tour players Stewart Cink, Roberto Castro and Casey Wittenberg and LPGA Tour players Mariah Stackhouse and Dori Carter. Mitchell, who has also consulted college and high school teams, was exempt from qualifying as the low amateur (tied for 46th) in last year’s U.S. Senior Open at Omaha Country Club. Mitchell, whose father, Lawson, was a longtime club professional, was a quarterfinalist in the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur.
MORE THAN A TEACHER – Todd White, 54, of Spartanburg, S.C., is a history teacher who also coaches the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Spartanburg High School. The Vikings finished fifth in the Class 5A boys state championship and the girls finished ninth in the state in 2022. White will compete in his second consecutive U.S. Senior Open and 33rd USGA championship at Saucon Valley. He and Nathan Smith partnered to win the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship in 2015 at The Olympic Club. White and Smith were members of the victorious 2013 USA Walker Cup Team.
THREESOME OF CHAMPIONS – There have been 22 players in the history of the U.S. Open to claim the championship more than once and three who have accomplished the feat are in this year’s U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club. Ernie Els won the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997 and also owns a pair of British Open Championships (2002, 2012). Els has combined to win 47 times on the PGA Tour and PGA European Tour. Lee Janzen captured the U.S. Open title in 1993 and 1998. Retief Goosen, who was runner-up along with Mike Weir in last year’s Senior Open, was a U.S. Open champion in 2001 and 2004.
WE GOT THE FUNK – Robert Funk, 58, of Canyon Lake, Calif., was the low amateur in the 2017 U.S. Senior Open when he tied for 54th with a 72-hole score of 8-over 288 at Salem Country Club, in Peabody, Mass. Funk, who started playing golf at age 27, is competing in his fourth Senior Open and 12th USGA championship. His grandfather, John, who was the son of the Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary founder, introduced him to the game. His sons, Capron and Corey, are razor scooter champions.
THE HAWKS – Jerry Kelly, Tim Petrovic and Jon Veneziano all played college golf at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. Kelly (1986-89) is a two-time runner-up in the U.S. Senior Open (2018, 2019) and has played in 10 U.S. Opens. Petrovic (1985-88) shared runner-up with Kelly behind champion David Toms in the 2018 Senior Open. Veneziano (1990-93) qualified for his first Senior Open and 23rd USGA championship on May 23. He shot 70 in the Ocala, Fla., qualifier and survived a 4-for-2 playoff.
COMING BACK TO GOLF – Harry Rudolph III, 52, of La Jolla, Calif., competed at a high level in his youth, became a professional, left the game for nearly a decade, returned later as a reinstated amateur and is now a pro again. In 1987, Rudolph knocked heads on the junior circuit with six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and advanced far into match play in both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur. He went on to earn All-America honors at the University of Arizona, where he teamed with Jim Furyk and others to win the 1992 NCAA Championship. His fortunes never blossomed as a professional and he put the clubs away in 1999. His father, Harry Jr., a former batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers, opened Harry’s Coffee Shop in the mold of the great New York diners. Harry III, along with his siblings, has spent most of his time operating the San Diego establishment. He is playing in his second U.S. Senior Open after qualifying for the second consecutive year.
VINTAGE GOLFER – Jack Larkin, 60, of Atlanta, Ga., is co-owner of the Pacific Southern Wine Company which distributes premium brands to distributors, restaurateurs, retailers and consumers in the Southeastern U.S. He is also an accomplished golfer who has played in the U.S. Amateur in five different decades. Larkin, who won the 1979 U.S. Junior Amateur, competed as a professional from 1988-92 before regaining his amateur status three years later. He is playing in his third U.S. Senior Open.
PUT ME IN, COACH – Andrew Sapp, 50, of Muncie, Ind., served as a volunteer assistant golf coach at Ball State University in 2021-22. He previously was the head coach at the University of Michigan (2002-11), University of North Carolina (2012-17) and East Carolina University (2017-21). Sapp served as president of the Golf Coaches Association of America, from 2016-18. Sapp was the medalist with a 4-under 67 in the Fort Wayne, Ind., qualifier and will play in his first U.S. Senior Open.
SERVICE ACE – Shane Bertsch, 52, of Denver, Colo., was once a top tennis player on the junior level in his home state. He later gave up the sport competitively following a straight-set loss to the future No. 1-ranked player Andre Agassi. Bertsch, who played on the PGA and Nationwide (now Korn Ferry) Tours, is playing in his second U.S. Senior Open. He won the 2020 Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge in his second PGA Tour Champions start with an eagle on the first extra hole in a four-man playoff with Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Glen Day.
MAJOR PLAYERS – Padraig Harrington is among three major champions who are playing in their first U.S. Senior Open. He captured two Open Championships (2007, 2008) and one PGA Championship (2007). Harrington competed in 16 U.S. Opens and posted five top-10 finishes. David Duval, who played in 16 U.S. Opens and was runner-up in 2009 at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, won the 2001 Open Championship, a three-stroke victory over Niclas Fasth. Y.E. Yang rallied to defeat Tiger Woods and claim the 2009 PGA Championship.
LATE TO THE FIELD – Jay Williamson, the first alternate from the Fort Wayne, Ind., site., was added to the field when Fred Couples withdrew. Williamson, 55, of St. Louis, Mo., is playing in his third U.S. Senior Open. He shot 69 at Orchard Ridge C.C. and was involved in a 5-for-1 playoff for the last spot in the qualifier. Williamson, who also played in three U.S. Opens, including a tie for 20th in 2003 at Olympia Fields (Ill.) C.C., twice finished second in PGA Tour events. He was runner-up to Hunter Mahan in the 2007 Travelers Championship and runner-up to two-time U.S. Senior Open champion Kenny Perry in the 2008 John Deere Classic.
Gavin Coles, 53, of Australia, was added to the 156-player field on June 18. The United States Golf Association (USGA) had held one spot for the winner of the U.S. Open Championship, in the instance he was not exempt. Fran Quinn, a 57-year-old professional and the only player in the field to meet the criteria, missed the 36-hole cut at The Country Club, in Brookline, Mass. Coles was the first alternate from the Jupiter, Fla. Qualifier. He shot a bogey-free 68 at The Bear’s Club on May 19 and was involved in a 2-for-1 playoff with Ken Duke for the final spot. He will play in his first U.S. Senior Open. Coles has competed on the PGA Tour, where he recorded four career top-10 finishes. He has also won five Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry) events and two PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments.
Tim Cantwell, 51, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., replaced Robin Byrd, who withdrew, in the field on June 19. Cantwell, who shot 69 in the Cedarburg, Wis., qualifier on May 19, is playing in his first U.S. Senior Open. He has competed in a few PGA Tour events, including the 2009 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, and on many professional tours. He earned All-Southeastern Conference recognition at the University of Mississippi before turning professional in 1994. Cantwell, who won the 1993 Wisconsin State Amateur and 1994 Wisconsin State Open, also caddies during the winter at Seminole Golf Club in Florida.
ON TOUR – Steve Alker, of New Zealand, has won three PGA Tour Champions events in 2022, including his first senior major professional championship. Alker, who turned professional in 1995, posted 16-under 268 to win the Senior PGA Championship in May. He has won 15 tournaments worldwide, including victories on PGA Tour of Australasia, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Canada.
Multiple PGA Tour Champions Winners in 2022:
3, Steven Alker (Rapiscan Systems Classic, Insperity Invitational, Senior PGA Championship)
2, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Mitsubishi Electric Classic at Hualalai, Cologuard Classic)
Bold – 2022 U.S. Senior Open competitor
IN MEMORIAM – Bruce Fleisher and Eduardo Romero, who won the U.S. Senior Open Championship in 2001 and 2008, respectively, each passed away within the last year. Fleisher, who won 18 PGA Tour Champions tournaments, died at age 72 on Sept. 23, 2021. Romero, who was nicknamed “El Gato”, died at age 67 on Feb. 13, 2022.
Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to play in the Masters Tournament and a competitor in 14 U.S. Opens, is among several other notables who have recently died. Elder won four PGA Tour and eight PGA Tour Champions events. Bart Bryant competed in six Senior Opens and his best finish was a tie for ninth in 2013. His older brother, Brad, won the 2007 U.S. Senior Open. Billy Maxwell, who the 1951 U.S. Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club, died at age 92 on Sept. 20, 2021. Maxwell won seven PGA Tour tournaments and played in 11 U.S. Opens, with three top-10 finishes.
TICKETS AVAILABLE – Tickets for the 2022 U.S. Senior Open Championship are available for purchase at ussenioropen.com. Championship round individual gallery tickets are $50 (Thursday-Sunday), while practice-round tickets are $25 (Tuesday-Wednesday).
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