The US Open

The US Open is the second of the year’s four major championships, and always scheduled so that the final round coincides with Father’s Day Sunday in the US.

Around half of the field of 156 players is drawn from an exempt list, with the remaining places decided through qualifying. Tour professionals and amateurs with a USGA handicap at 1.4 or below are entitled to enter this process – leading some to suggest the US Open produces the strongest field of the majors.

The US Open is played on a different course every year, designed to test players to the limit and put par at a premium. The tournament is run by the USGA, who typically like to implement narrow fairways, thick rough and fast greens. It is not unusual for winning totals to be at par or over.

Unlike the other three majors, the US Open goes to an 18-hole play-off the following day if two or more players finish together at the lowest four-round total. In 2008, Tiger Woods sunk a dramatic putt at the 72nd hole to force such a shoot-out with Rocco Mediate, and emerged victorious.

The inaugural US Open was played in 1895, and won by Englishman Horace Rawlins. In 2010 Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland became the first European player to lift the trophy since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

Past Champions

Year Champion Country Venue Location Score
2016 Dustin Johnson United States Oakmont, Pennsylvania 276 (-4)
2015 Jordan Spieth United States Chambers Bay Washington 275 (-5)
2014 Martin Kaymer Germany Pinehurst Resort North Carolina 271 (–9)
2013 Justin Rose England Merion Golf Club, East Course Pennsylvania 281
2012 Webb Simpsony United States Olympic Club, Lake Course California 281
2011 Rory Mcilroy Northern Ireland Congressional Country Club Bethesda, MD 268
2010 Graeme McDowell Northern Ireland Pebble Beach California 284 (E)
2009 Lucas Glover United States Bethpage State Park, Black Course Farmingdale, New York 276 (-4)
2008 Tiger Woods United States Torrey Pines Golf Course, South Course La Jolla, California 283 (-1)
2007 Ángel Cabrera Argentina Oakmont Country Club Oakmont, Pennsylvania 285 (+5)
2006 Geoff Ogilvy Australia Winged Foot Golf Club, West Course Mamaroneck, New York 285 (+5)
2005 Michael Campbell New Zealand Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 Pinehurst, North Carolina 280 (E)
2004 Retief Goosen South Africa Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Shinnecock Hills, New York 276 (-4)
2003 Jim Furyk United States Olympia Fields Country Club, North Course Olympia Fields, Illinois 272 (-8)
2002 Tiger Woods United States Bethpage State Park, Black Course Farmingdale, New York 277 (-3)
2001 Retief Goosen South Africa Southern Hills Country Club Tulsa, Oklahoma 276 (-4)
2000 Tiger Woods United States Pebble Beach Golf Links Pebble Beach, California 272 (-12)
1999 Payne Stewart United States Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 Pinehurst, North Carolina 279 (-1)
View Full List of US Open Winners

US Open Records

US Open Records

Qualification criteria

General

Entries are open to professional golfers and amateur golfers with an up-to-date men’s Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4 under the USGA Handicap System. A Handicap Index must be issued from a ‘golf club’ (as defined in the ‘USGA Handicap System manual) which is licensed to use the USGA Handicap System. Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the Championship) by the USGA. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.

Local Exemptions

L-1. All former winners of the U.S. Open Championship.
L-2. From the 2008 U.S. Open Championship, those returning scores for 72 holes.
L-3. Winners of the U.S. Senior Open Championship the last five years (2004-2008).
L-4. All former winners of the U.S. Amateur Championship and the runners-up in 2006 & 2007 (must be an amateur).
L-5. Winner of the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship.
L-6. Quarterfinalists from the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship (must be an amateur).
L-7. From the U.S. Amateur Public Links, U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, the winners the last three years (2006-2008) and the runners-up from 2008 (must be an amateur).
L-8. Winner of the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur Championship (must be an amateur).
L-9. Playing members of the 2005 & 2007 United States and Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup and the 2006 & 2008 United States Men's World Amateur Teams (must be an amateur).
L-10. The low eight individual finishers and ties from the 2008 Men's World Amateur Team Championship (must be an amateur).
L-11. Winner of the 2009 individual NCAA Div. I Men's Golf Championship (must be an amateur). (NOTE: Blank entry will be filed by the USGA for player who becomes exempt after close of entries)
L-12. Winners of the British Amateur Championship the last three years (2006-2008)(must be an Amateur)
L-13. All former winners of the Masters Tournament, the British Open Championship and the PGA of America Championship.
L-14. From the 2009 Masters Tournament, the 2008 British Open Championship and PGA of America Championship, the 30 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 30th place.
L-15. Winners of PGA Tour co-sponsored events, whose victories are considered official, in the last three calendar years (2006, 2007 & 2008) and during the current year through April 29. (must have filed an entry by April 29)
L-16. Winners of PGA European Tour Volvo Order of Merit Tournaments whose victories are considered official in the last two calendar years (2007 & 2008) and during the current year through April 29. (Must have filed an entry by April 29)
L-17. Winners of the Nationwide Tour, Challenge Tour, Sunshine Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour and Australasian Tour events, whose victories are considered official in the last calendar year (2008) and during the current year through April 29. (Must have filed and entry by April 29)
L-18. Winner of the 2008 PGA of America Club Professional Championship.
L-19. Playing members of the five most current United States and European Ryder Cup and United States & World Presidents Cup Teams.
L-20. From the 2009 PGA European Tour exemption categories, those players listed in categories 1, 2, 3 and 8 (not including medical extension sub categories).
L-21. From the final 2008 World Rankings, the top 75 point leaders.
L-22. From the current World Rankings, the top 100 point leaders as of April 29, 2009. (Must have filed an entry by April 29)
L-23. From the 2008 final official PGA Tour money list, the top 150 money leaders; and the final official PGA Tour money lists, the top 10 money leaders in each of the last three calendar years; and, any player who had multiple finishes in the top 150 money leaders in the last five calendar years.
L-24. From the 2009 PGA Tour official money list, the top 100 money leaders through April 29, 2009. (Must have filed an entry by April 29)
L-25. From the official PGA Tour career money list, the top 50 money leaders as of the end of 2008. L-26. From the 2008 final official Champions Tour money list, the top 10 money leaders.
L-27. From the 2008 final official Nationwide Tour money list, the top 25 money leaders.L-28. From the 2008 final official Canadian Tour money list, the top 10 money leaders.
L-29. From the 2008 final official Challenge Tour money list, the top 20 money leaders.
L-30. From the 2008 final official Sunshine Tour money list, the top 20 money leaders.
L-31. From the 2008 final official Asia, Australasian and Japan Tour money lists, the top 25 money leaders.
L-32. From the 2008 final official European Senior Tour money list, the top 5 money leaders.
L-33. Head professional at club hosting the Championship.
L-34. Any player whom the USGA selects for an exemption on the basis of his playing record. ( Must have filed an entry by April 29).

Full exemptions

S-1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship the last ten years.
S-2. Winner and runner-up of the 2008 U.S. Amateur Championship (must be an amateur).
S-3. Winners of The Masters the last five years.
S-4. Winners of the British Open Championship the last five years.
S-5. Winners of the PGA of America Championship the last five years.
S-6. Winner of the 2009 Players Championship.
S-7. Winner of the 2007 U.S. Senior Open Championship.
S-8. From the 2008 U.S. Open Championship, the 15 lowest scorers and any one tying for 15th place.
S-9. From the 2008 final official PGA Tour money list, the top 30 money leaders.
S-10. Those qualifying for the season-ending 2008 Tour Championship.
S-11. From the 2008 final official PGA European Tour money list, the top 15 money leaders.
S-12. From the 2009 official PGA Tour money list, the top 10 money leaders through May 25. (Must have filed an entry by April 29).
S-13. Any multiple winner of PGA co-sponsored events whose victories are considered official from June 2, 2008 through June 14, 2009. (Note: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA for players who become exempt after close of entries).
S-14. From the 2009 official PGA European Tour money list, the top five money leaders through May 25. (Note: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA)
S-15. From the 2008 final official Japan Golf Tour money list, the top two money leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Ranking at the end of the year.
S-16. From the 2008 final official PGA Tour of Australia money list, the top two money leaders provided they are within the top 75 point leaders of the World Ranking at the end of the year.
S-17. From the current World Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of May 25, 2009. S-18. Special exemptions selected by the USGA. (NOTE: Blank entries will be filed by the USGA for players who become exempt after close of entries.)