This week Oakmont Country Club (OCC) in Pennsylvania hosts the USGA’s US Open, the third major in golf for 2025. Yesterday was our look at the list of qualifiers. Let’s look at the history of the Open at Oakmont in part one. Part two we dive into the course with a view of the famed church pew bunker and even talk about how one morning trees were there. Then the next morning…they weren”t!
History at Oakmont Country Club
This is the tenth time OCC hosts this international tournament. From Tommy Armour, the first champion at Oakmont, to Dustin Johnson, the most recent, the tournament at OCC have seen hall of famers and unknowns raise the trophy.
List of winners and year:
1927 Tommy Armour
1935 Sam Parks, Jr.
1953 Ben Hogan
1962 Jack Nicklaus
1973 Johnny Miller
1983 Larry Nelson
1994 Ernie Els
2007 Angel Cabrera
2016 Dustin Johnson
Each tournament held in the western hamlet of Pennsylvania includes stories that are just incredible. In 1927, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen were considered the favorites. These three were the beginning giants of the game. But a Scotsman, Tommy Armour, pulled off a huge upset.
Sam Parks, Jr. was a club professional who starred as a top golfer at the University of Pitt. The big story was the absence of Bobby Jones, who had retired after his 1930 Grand Slam year.
Ben Hogan was three years removed from his near-fatal accident. After winning the Masters, Hogan cruised to a six stroke win at OCC. He capped an incredible year with the Open Championship trophy at Carnoustie.
Changing of the Guard!
Jack’s win in ‘62 was the changing of the guard. When he defeated Arnold Palmer in an 18 hole playoff, one of golf’s most iconic photographs was snapped. Jack driving sometimes 35 yards further than Arnie showcased the beginning of a new era in golf.
Golfers Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer Shake Hands during National Open Tournament. © The Picture Collection LLC. Photo by Life photographer, John Dominis
Jack withstood a barrage of verbal abuse as the western PA fans roared for Palmer at each movement of The King of Golf. Here’s a quick read from Links Magazine.
Oakmont echoed with roars and cheers every time Palmer hitched his trousers, flicked his cigarette, or took a slug of water. Meanwhile, Nicklaus was met by a torrent of taunts: “Hey, Ohio Fats…Blobbo…Fat Jack…Butter Butt.” Eyes straight ahead on fairway and flag, Jack was in another world, oblivious to the abuse.
Miller’s record 63!
Johnny Miller thought he was out of the race after his 76 on Saturday. But following Sunday services, Miller shot a then record 63 in the last round of a major. That record stood for over four decades. (Li Haotong matched the 63 in the final round at Royal Birkdale in 2017.)
Watson’s fall
Tom Watson held the 54 hole lead and was the major favorite. He shot an incredible 31 on the front side Sunday. But rains drenched the course and the tournament was continued on Monday. When play resumed, Watson’s huge stroke advantage was washed away as Larry Nelson, the Vietnam Veteran, raced to the title. This year, Bob Ford, the Oakmont pro, was in the field, made the cut, and finished tied for 26th!
Els breaks through!
In 1994 Ernie Els carded his first major championship with a playoff win over Loren Roberts. This year saw Arnold Palmer receive a special exemption to play the open in his hometown. But the story was the heat. Temperatures were mostly in the high 90’s with the Monday playoff hitting three digits!
Who took the trees??
In 2007 the course was barren of trees! (More later). And the course was extremely difficult. The Friday cut was 11 over par!!! And the only golfer to conquer Sunday was Angel Cabrera to claim his first major. Here is a great review from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Cabrera — who would also win the 2009 Masters — shot 69 in the final round and watched as Furyk, who spent part of his childhood in Western Pennsylvania, bogeyed the 17th to fall out of a share for the lead, and Woods missed a long birdie bid on the 18th that could have forced a playoff.
From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
DJ finally gets his major
Dustin Johnson has been a lightning rod in golf the past few years and has had his share of success and failures since his move to the LIV Tour. But in 2016, DJ was primed for his first major win. Sitting one stroke behind Shane Lowry at the start of round 4, DJ overcame a penalty on hole 5 to win the title. Jim Furyk staged a wild fourth round 66 but finished runner up.
We will continue with the course itself in part two. But with the number of first time major winners at Oakmont, you might want to know who still hasn’t won a major in golf. Here is a list of the best golfers in the field who have not won a major.
Tony Finau
Tommy Fleetwood
Patrick Cantlay
Viktor Hovland
Recent Comments