The U.S. Open: Top 5 Greatest Moments of All-Time
One of the most famous golf tournaments in the World is taking place in a little less than 2 months in Los Angeles. The history of the U.S. Open could have an entire encyclopedia series written about it, but this article will rank the top 5 greatest U.S. Open moments of all time.
5. Tiger Dominates Pebble
In June of 2000, the Tiger Slam started with a 15-stroke dismantling of the rest of the golf world in the 2000 U.S. Open. Pebble Beach was known for the toughness of the course as well as the condition, however, that didn’t stop Tiger Woods from destroying the field.
The golf world would be at the mercy of Tiger for the better part of the next two years as he would go on to win six of the next 10 majors after the 2000 U.S. Open. Tiger or the field was an actual betting option in Las Vegas sportsbooks, something that will never happen in golf again.
4. Francis Ouimet
One of the most famous stories ever told as Disney made a movie about the former caddy that shocked the golf world in the 1913 U.S. Open. Francis Ouimet was an amateur that took on Harry Vardon and won.
Everyone loves an underdog story, and this is the golf equivalent of the Miracle on Ice, and that is why it ranks as the fourth greatest moment in the U.S. Open History.
3. 1962: New Kid in Town
In 1986 Jack Nicklaus ended up winning what would be his 18th and final Major title, and his 6th and final green jacket. The six green jackets is the most ever by any golfer, and the Golden Bear should have the flair for the dramatic for his final victory at Augusta.
But it started with a playoff against Arnold Palmer in Pittsburgh in 1962 at the U.S. Open.
One of the most famous images in golf, Nicklaus would shake hands with Arnold after defeating him in the playoff as he would start the legacy as the greatest golfer that ever lived.
2. Arnold Palmer’s Comeback
After 54 holes in the 1960 U.S. Open, no one would have picked Arnold Palmer to win the one to win the tournament after the last 18 holes on Sunday. However, Palmer would shoot a 65, erasing a seven-stroke deficit and winning his first and only U.S. Open.
Palmer started the round by driving the green on a par 4 and two-putting for birdie before chipping in for another birdie on hole number 2 from 90 feet out. Palmer
1. 2008 Tiger’s Battle with Rocco
His 14th major win at the 2008 U.S. Open, he would go 11 years before winning another major. Scandal, injury, and controversy followed Woods for all 11 of those years, and there was nothing better than seeing him return to the top of the golf world by winning his fifth Masters.
However, the 14th was one of the most epic battles in the history of golf, with Rocco Mediate challenging the legend, who was still unbeatable at the time. Tiger had to birdie the 18th hole to force a playoff, and he did so in dramatic fashion.
Tiger then battled Rocco for an 18-hole playoff with a torn ACL and fractured fibula, but the greatest golfer of all time still managed to pull off the victory.
