# U.S. Open (golf)

The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is the third of the four men's major golf championships, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour. Since 1898 the competition has been 72 holes of stroke play (4 rounds on an 18-hole course), with the winner being the player with the lowest total number of strokes. It is staged by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in mid-June, scheduled so that, if there are no weather delays, the final round is played on the third Sunday. The U.S. Open is staged at a variety of courses, set up in such a way that scoring is very difficult, with a premium placed on accurate driving. As of 2024, the U.S. Open awards a $21.5 million purse, the largest of all four major championships.

## History

The first U.S. Open was played on October 4, 1895, on a nine-hole course at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. It was a 36-hole competition and was played in a single day. Ten professionals and one amateur entered. The winner was Horace Rawlins, a 21-year-old Englishman, who had arrived in the U.S. earlier that year to take up a position at the host club. He received $150 cash out of a prize fund of $335, plus a $50 gold medal; his club received the Open Championship Cup trophy, which was presented by the USGA.
In the beginning, the tournament was dominated by experienced British players until 1911, when John J. McDermott became the first native-born American winner. American golfers soon began to win regularly and the tournament evolved to become one of the four majors.
Since 1911, the title has been won mostly by players from the United States. Since 1950, players from only six countries other than the United States have won the championship, most notably South Africa, which has won five times since 1965. A streak of four consecutive non-American winners occurred from 2004 to 2007 for the first time since 1910. These four players, South African Retief Goosen (2004), New Zealander Michael Campbell (2005), Australian Geoff Ogilvy (2006) and Argentine Ángel Cabrera (2007), are all from countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (2010) became the first European player to win the event since Tony Jacklin of England in 1970; three more Europeans won in the next four editions, making it only three American wins in the 11 tournaments from 2004 to 2014.
U.S. Open play is characterized by tight scoring at or around par by the leaders, with the winner usually emerging at around even par. A U.S. Open course is seldom beaten severely, and there have been many over-par wins (in part because par is usually set at 70, except for the very longest courses). Normally, an Open course is quite long and will have a high cut of primary rough (termed "Open rough" by the American press and fans); undulating greens (such as at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005, which was described by Johnny Miller of NBC as "like trying to hit a ball on top of a VW Beetle"); pinched fairways (especially on what are expected to be less difficult holes); and two or three holes that are short par fives under regular play would be used as long par fours during the tournament (often to meet that frequently used par of 70, forcing players to have accurate long drives). Some courses that are attempting to get into the rotation for the U.S. Open will undergo renovations to develop these features. Rees Jones is the most notable of the "Open Doctors" who take on these projects; his father Robert Trent Jones had filled that role earlier. As with any professional golf tournament, the available space surrounding the course (for spectators, among other considerations) and local infrastructure also factor into deciding which courses will host the event.

## Qualification

The U.S. Open is open to any professional, or to any amateur with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 0.4. Players (male or female) may obtain a place by being fully exempt or by competing successfully in qualifying. The field is 156 players.
About half of the field is made up of players who are fully exempt from qualifying. The current exemption categories are:
* Winners of the U.S. Open for the last ten years
* Winner and runner-up from the previous year's U.S. Amateur and winners of the previous year's U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur
** The runner-up from the U.S. Amateur, the winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur, and U.S. Mid-Amateur must remain an amateur.
** The winner of the U.S. Amateur, however, may turn professional after winning the U.S. Amateur and retain his eligibility.
* Winner of the previous year's Amateur Championship
* The previous year's Mark H. McCormack Medal winner for the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world
* Winners of each of Masters Tournament, Open Championship and PGA Championship for the last five years
* Winners of the last three Players Championships
* Winner of the current year's BMW PGA Championship
* Winner of the last U.S. Senior Open
* Players who win multiple U.S. PGA Tour events during the time between tournaments, provided the tournaments each offer 500 or more points to the winner, and are not opposite-field events.
* In the year after the Olympic golf tournament, the reigning men's gold medalist
* Top 10 finishers and ties from the previous year's U.S. Open
* Players who qualified for the previous year's Tour Championship
* The top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of two weeks before the start of the tournament
* The top 60 in the OWGR as of the tournament date
* The top player in the PGA Tour second-tier developmental series points, based on combined points from the Regular Season and Finals, from the previous season (starting in 2023).
* Special exemptions selected by the USGA
* All remaining spots after the second top 60 OWGR cutoff date filled by alternates from qualifying tournaments.
The exemptions for amateurs apply only if the players remain amateurs as of the tournament date, except for the U.S. Amateur champion. On August 5, 2019, the USGA announced a rule change stating a player may turn professional and still retain his U.S. Open exemption. Note that this tournament typically takes place after the collegiate season has ended, so players may turn professional immediately after their last collegiate event (typically the end of the NCAA final of their senior year) in order to maximize the number of FedEx Cup points they may score before the August cutoff to avoid qualifying school.
Before 2011, the sole OWGR cutoff for entry was the top 50 as of two weeks before the tournament. An exemption category for the top 50 as of the tournament date was added for 2011, apparently in response to the phenomenon of golfers entering the top 50 between the original cutoff date and the tournament (such as Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler in 2010).
Through 2011, exemptions existed for leading money winners on the PGA, European, Japanese, and Australasian tours, as well as winners of multiple PGA Tour events in the year before the U.S. Open. These categories were eliminated in favor of inviting the top 60 on the OWGR at both relevant dates. Starting with the 2012 championship, an exemption was added for the winner of the current year's BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour's equivalent of The Players Championship.
Potential competitors who are not fully exempt must enter the Qualifying process, which has two stages. Firstly there is Local Qualifying, which is played over 18 holes at more than 100 courses around the United States. Many leading players are exempt from this first stage, and they join the successful local qualifiers at the Sectional Qualifying stage, which is played over 36 holes in one day at several sites in the U.S., as well as one each in Europe and Japan. There is no lower age limit and the youngest-ever qualifier was 14-year-old Andy Zhang of China, who qualified in 2012 after Paul Casey withdrew days before the tournament.

### USGA special exemptions

The USGA has granted a special exemption to 35 players 53 times since 1966. Players with special exemptions include: Arnold Palmer (1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1994), Seve Ballesteros (1978, 1994), Gary Player (1981, 1983), Lee Trevino (1983, 1984), Hale Irwin (1990, 2002, 2003), Jack Nicklaus (1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), Tom Watson (1993, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2010), and Tiger Woods (2024).
Irwin won the 1990 U.S. Open after accepting a special exemption. In 2016, a special exemption was extended to former champion Retief Goosen (2001, 2004). In 2018, a special exemption was extended to former U.S. Open champions Jim Furyk (2003) and Ernie Els (1994, 1997).

## Prizes

The purse at the 2017 U.S. Open was $12 million, and the winner's share was $2.16 million. The European Tour uses conversion rates at the time of the tournament to calculate the official prize money used in their Race to Dubai (€10,745,927 in 2017).
In line with the other majors, winning the U.S. Open gives a golfer several privileges that make his career much more secure if he is not already one of the elite players of the sport. U.S. Open champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the Masters, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship) for the next five years. They are also automatically invited to play in The Players Championship for the next five years, and they are exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Open itself for 10 years.
Winners may also receive a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, which is automatic for regular members. Non-PGA Tour members who win the U.S. Open have the choice of joining the PGA Tour either within 60 days of winning, or prior to the beginning of any one of the next five tour seasons.
Finally, U.S. Open winners receive automatic invitations to three of the five senior majors once they turn 50; they receive a five-year invitation to the U.S. Senior Open and a lifetime invitation to the Senior PGA Championship and Senior British Open.
The top 10 finishers at the U.S. Open are fully exempt from qualifying for the following year's Open, and the top four are automatically invited to the following season's Masters.

## Playoff format

Up to 2017, the U.S. Open retained a full 18-hole playoff the following day (Monday). If a tie existed after that fifth round, then the playoff continued as sudden-death on the 91st hole. The U.S. Open advanced to sudden-death three times (1990, 1994, 2008), most recently when Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate on the first additional playoff hole in 2008. Before sudden-death was introduced in the 1950s, additional 18-hole rounds were played (1925, 1939, 1946 and 1965) to break the tie. When the playoff was scheduled for 36 holes and ended in a tie, as in 1931, a second 36-hole playoff was required.
Since 2018, the USGA adopted a two-hole aggregate playoff format, after consulting fans, players and media partners. Sudden death will still be played if the playoff ends tied.

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Winner's share ($) | Venue | Location |
| 2024 | Bryson DeChambeau (2) | 274 | −6 | 1 stroke | Rory McIlroy | 4,300,000 | Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
| 2023 | Wyndham Clark | 270 | −10 | 1 stroke | Rory McIlroy | 3,600,000 | Los Angeles Country Club (North Course) | Los Angeles, California |
| 2022 | Matt Fitzpatrick | 274 | −6 | 1 stroke | Scottie Scheffler Will Zalatoris | 3,150,000 | The Country Club (Composite Course) | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| 2021 | Jon Rahm | 278 | −6 | 1 stroke | Louis Oosthuizen | 2,250,000 | Torrey Pines (South Course) | San Diego, California |
| 2020 | Bryson DeChambeau | 274 | −6 | 6 strokes | Matthew Wolff | 2,250,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 2019 | Gary Woodland | 271 | −13 | 3 strokes | Brooks Koepka | 2,250,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 2018 | Brooks Koepka (2) | 281 | +1 | 1 stroke | Tommy Fleetwood | 2,160,000 | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, New York |
| 2017 | Brooks Koepka | 272 | −16 | 4 strokes | Hideki Matsuyama Brian Harman | 2,160,000 | Erin Hills | Erin, Wisconsin |
| 2016 | Dustin Johnson | 276 | −4 | 3 strokes | Jim Furyk Shane Lowry Scott Piercy | 1,800,000 | Oakmont | Oakmont, Pennsylvania |
| 2015 | Jordan Spieth | 275 | −5 | 1 stroke | Dustin Johnson Louis Oosthuizen | 1,800,000 | Chambers Bay | University Place, Washington |
| 2014 | Martin Kaymer | 271 | −9 | 8 strokes | Erik Compton Rickie Fowler | 1,620,000 | Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
| 2013 | Justin Rose | 281 | +1 | 2 strokes | Jason Day Phil Mickelson | 1,440,000 | Merion (East Course) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| 2012 | Webb Simpson | 281 | +1 | 1 stroke | Graeme McDowell Michael Thompson | 1,440,000 | Olympic Club (Lake Course) | San Francisco, California |
| 2011 | Rory McIlroy | 268 | −16 | 8 strokes | Jason Day | 1,440,000 | Congressional (Blue Course) | Bethesda, Maryland |
| 2010 | Graeme McDowell | 284 | E | 1 stroke | Grégory Havret | 1,350,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 2009 | Lucas Glover | 276 | −4 | 2 strokes | Ricky Barnes David Duval Phil Mickelson | 1,350,000 | Bethpage State Park (Black Course) | Farmingdale, New York |
| 2008 | Tiger Woods (3) | 283 | −1 | Playoff | Rocco Mediate | 1,350,000 | Torrey Pines (South Course) | San Diego, California |
| 2007 | Ángel Cabrera | 285 | +5 | 1 stroke | Jim Furyk Tiger Woods | 1,260,000 | Oakmont | Oakmont, Pennsylvania |
| 2006 | Geoff Ogilvy | 285 | +5 | 1 stroke | Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Colin Montgomerie | 1,225,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 2005 | Michael Campbell | 280 | E | 2 strokes | Tiger Woods | 1,170,000 | Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
| 2004 | Retief Goosen (2) | 276 | −4 | 2 strokes | Phil Mickelson | 1,125,000 | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, New York |
| 2003 | Jim Furyk | 272 | −8 | 3 strokes | Stephen Leaney | 1,080,000 | Olympia Fields (North Course) | Olympia Fields, Illinois |
| 2002 | Tiger Woods (2) | 277 | −3 | 3 strokes | Phil Mickelson | 1,000,000 | Bethpage State Park (Black Course) | Farmingdale, New York |
| 2001 | Retief Goosen | 276 | −4 | Playoff | Mark Brooks | 900,000 | Southern Hills | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 2000 | Tiger Woods | 272 | −12 | 15 strokes | Ernie Els Miguel Ángel Jiménez | 800,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 1999 | Payne Stewart (2) | 279 | −1 | 1 stroke | Phil Mickelson | 625,000 | Pinehurst Resort (Course No. 2) | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
| 1998 | Lee Janzen (2) | 280 | E | 1 stroke | Payne Stewart | 535,000 | Olympic Club (Lake Course) | San Francisco, California |
| 1997 | Ernie Els (2) | 276 | −4 | 1 stroke | Colin Montgomerie | 465,000 | Congressional (Blue Course) | Bethesda, Maryland |
| 1996 | Steve Jones | 278 | −2 | 1 stroke | Tom Lehman Davis Love III | 425,000 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1995 | Corey Pavin | 280 | E | 2 strokes | Greg Norman | 350,000 | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, New York |
| 1994 | Ernie Els | 279 | −5 | Playoff | Colin Montgomerie Loren Roberts | 320,000 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1993 | Lee Janzen | 272 | −8 | 2 strokes | Payne Stewart | 290,000 | Baltusrol (Lower Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1992 | Tom Kite | 285 | −3 | 2 strokes | Jeff Sluman | 275,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 1991 | Payne Stewart | 282 | −6 | Playoff | Scott Simpson | 235,000 | Hazeltine National | Chaska, Minnesota |
| 1990 | Hale Irwin (3) | 280 | −8 | Playoff | Mike Donald | 220,000 | Medinah (Course No. 3) | Medinah, Illinois |
| 1989 | Curtis Strange (2) | 278 | −2 | 1 stroke | Chip Beck Mark McCumber Ian Woosnam | 200,000 | Oak Hill (East Course) | Rochester, New York |
| 1988 | Curtis Strange | 278 | −6 | Playoff | Nick Faldo | 180,000 | The Country Club (Composite Course) | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| 1987 | Scott Simpson | 277 | −3 | 1 stroke | Tom Watson | 150,000 | Olympic Club (Lake Course) | San Francisco, California |
| 1986 | Raymond Floyd | 279 | −1 | 2 strokes | Chip Beck Lanny Wadkins | 115,000 | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, New York |
| 1985 | Andy North (2) | 279 | −1 | 1 stroke | Dave Barr Chen Tze-chung Denis Watson | 103,000 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1984 | Fuzzy Zoeller | 276 | −4 | Playoff | Greg Norman | 94,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 1983 | Larry Nelson | 280 | −4 | 1 stroke | Tom Watson | 72,000 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1982 | Tom Watson | 282 | −6 | 2 strokes | Jack Nicklaus | 60,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 1981 | David Graham | 273 | −7 | 3 strokes | George Burns Bill Rogers | 55,000 | Merion (East Course) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| 1980 | Jack Nicklaus (4) | 272 | −8 | 2 strokes | Isao Aoki | 55,000 | Baltusrol (Lower Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1979 | Hale Irwin (2) | 284 | E | 2 strokes | Jerry Pate Gary Player | 50,000 | Inverness Club | Toledo, Ohio |
| 1978 | Andy North | 285 | +1 | 1 stroke | J. C. Snead Dave Stockton | 45,000 | Cherry Hills | Cherry Hills Village, Colorado |
| 1977 | Hubert Green | 278 | −2 | 1 stroke | Lou Graham | 45,000 | Southern Hills | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 1976 | Jerry Pate | 277 | −3 | 2 strokes | Al Geiberger Tom Weiskopf | 42,000 | Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands Course) | Duluth, Georgia |
| 1975 | Lou Graham | 287 | +3 | Playoff | John Mahaffey | 40,000 | Medinah (Course No. 3) | Medinah, Illinois |
| 1974 | Hale Irwin | 287 | +7 | 2 strokes | Forrest Fezler | 35,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 1973 | Johnny Miller | 279 | −5 | 1 stroke | John Schlee | 35,000 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1972 | Jack Nicklaus (3) | 290 | +2 | 3 strokes | Bruce Crampton | 30,000 | Pebble Beach | Pebble Beach, California |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino (2) | 280 | E | Playoff | Jack Nicklaus | 30,000 | Merion (East Course) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| 1970 | Tony Jacklin | 281 | −7 | 7 strokes | Dave Hill | 30,000 | Hazeltine National | Chaska, Minnesota |
| 1969 | Orville Moody | 281 | +1 | 1 stroke | Deane Beman Al Geiberger Bob Rosburg | 30,000 | Champions (Cypress Creek Course) | Houston, Texas |
| 1968 | Lee Trevino | 275 | −5 | 4 strokes | Jack Nicklaus | 30,000 | Oak Hill (East Course) | Rochester, New York |
| 1967 | Jack Nicklaus (2) | 275 | −5 | 4 strokes | Arnold Palmer | 30,000 | Baltusrol (Lower Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1966 | Billy Casper (2) | 278 | −2 | Playoff | Arnold Palmer | 26,500 | Olympic Club (Lake Course) | San Francisco, California |
| 1965 | Gary Player | 282 | +2 | Playoff | Kel Nagle | 26,000 | Bellerive | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 1964 | Ken Venturi | 278 | −2 | 4 strokes | Tommy Jacobs | 17,000 | Congressional (Blue Course) | Bethesda, Maryland |
| 1963 | Julius Boros (2) | 293 | +9 | Playoff | Jacky Cupit Arnold Palmer | 17,500 | The Country Club (Composite Course) | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| 1962 | Jack Nicklaus | 283 | −1 | Playoff | Arnold Palmer | 17,500 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1961 | Gene Littler | 281 | +1 | 1 stroke | Bob Goalby Doug Sanders | 14,000 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1960 | Arnold Palmer | 280 | −4 | 2 strokes | Jack Nicklaus (a) | 14,400 | Cherry Hills | Cherry Hills Village, Colorado |
| 1959 | Billy Casper | 282 | +2 | 1 stroke | Bob Rosburg | 12,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 1958 | Tommy Bolt | 283 | +3 | 4 strokes | Gary Player | 8,000 | Southern Hills | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 1957 | Dick Mayer | 282 | +2 | Playoff | Cary Middlecoff | 7,200 | Inverness Club | Toledo, Ohio |
| 1956 | Cary Middlecoff (2) | 281 | +1 | 1 stroke | Julius Boros Ben Hogan | 6,000 | Oak Hill (East Course) | Rochester, New York |
| 1955 | Jack Fleck | 287 | +7 | Playoff | Ben Hogan | 6,000 | Olympic Club (Lake Course) | San Francisco, California |
| 1954 | Ed Furgol | 284 | +4 | 1 stroke | Gene Littler | 6,000 | Baltusrol (Lower Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1953 | Ben Hogan (4) | 283 | −5 | 6 strokes | Sam Snead | 5,000 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1952 | Julius Boros | 281 | +1 | 4 strokes | Ed Oliver | 4,000 | Northwood Club | Dallas, Texas |
| 1951 | Ben Hogan (3) | 287 | +7 | 2 strokes | Clayton Heafner | 4,000 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1950 | Ben Hogan (2) | 287 | +7 | Playoff | Lloyd Mangrum (2nd) George Fazio (3rd) | 4,000 | Merion (East Course) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| 1949 | Cary Middlecoff | 286 | +2 | 1 stroke | Clayton Heafner Sam Snead | 2,000 | Medinah (Course No. 3) | Medinah, Illinois |
| 1948 | Ben Hogan | 276 | −8 | 2 strokes | Jimmy Demaret | 2,000 | Riviera | Pacific Palisades, California |
| 1947 | Lew Worsham | 282 | −2 | Playoff | Sam Snead | 2,500 | St. Louis | Ladue, Missouri |
| 1946 | Lloyd Mangrum | 284 | −4 | Playoff | Vic Ghezzi Byron Nelson | 1,833 | Canterbury | Beachwood, Ohio |
| 1942–1945: Cancelled due to World War II |||||||||
| 1941 | Craig Wood | 284 | +4 | 3 strokes | Denny Shute | 1,000 | Colonial | Fort Worth, Texas |
| 1940 | Lawson Little | 287 | −1 | Playoff | Gene Sarazen | 1,000 | Canterbury | Beachwood, Ohio |
| 1939 | Byron Nelson | 284 | −4 | Playoff | Craig Wood (2nd) Denny Shute (3rd) | 1,000 | Philadelphia (Spring Mill Course) | Gladwyne, Pennsylvania |
| 1938 | Ralph Guldahl (2) | 284 | E | 6 strokes | Dick Metz | 1,000 | Cherry Hills | Cherry Hills Village, Colorado |
| 1937 | Ralph Guldahl | 281 | +1 | 2 strokes | Sam Snead | 1,000 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1936 | Tony Manero | 282 | −2 | 2 strokes | Harry Cooper | 1,000 | Baltusrol (Upper Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1935 | Sam Parks Jr. | 299 | +11 | 2 strokes | Jimmy Thomson | 1,000 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1934 | Olin Dutra | 293 | +13 | 1 stroke | Gene Sarazen | 1,000 | Merion (East Course) | Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| 1933 | Johnny Goodman (a) | 287 | −1 | 1 stroke | Ralph Guldahl | 1,000 | North Shore | Glenview, Illinois |
| 1932 | Gene Sarazen (2) | 286 | +6 | 3 strokes | Bobby Cruickshank Philip Perkins | 1,000 | Fresh Meadow | Queens, New York |
| 1931 | Billy Burke | 292 | +4 | Playoff | George Von Elm | 1,750 | Inverness Club | Toledo, Ohio |
| 1930 | Bobby Jones (a) (4) | 287 | −1 | 2 strokes | Macdonald Smith | 1,000 | Interlachen | Edina, Minnesota |
| 1929 | Bobby Jones (a) (3) | 294 | | Playoff | Al Espinosa | 1,000 | Winged Foot (West Course) | Mamaroneck, New York |
| 1928 | Johnny Farrell | 294 | | Playoff | Bobby Jones (a) | 500 | Olympia Fields (North Course) | Olympia Fields, Illinois |
| 1927 | Tommy Armour | 301 | | Playoff | Harry Cooper | 500 | Oakmont | Plum, Pennsylvania |
| 1926 | Bobby Jones (a) (2) | 293 | | 1 stroke | Joe Turnesa | 500 | Scioto | Columbus, Ohio |
| 1925 | Willie Macfarlane | 291 | | Playoff | Bobby Jones (a) | 500 | Worcester | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| 1924 | Cyril Walker | 297 | | 3 strokes | Bobby Jones (a) | 500 | Oakland Hills (South Course) | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| 1923 | Bobby Jones (a) | 296 | | Playoff | Bobby Cruickshank | 500 | Inwood | Inwood, New York |
| 1922 | Gene Sarazen | 288 | | 1 stroke | John Black Bobby Jones (a) | 500 | Skokie | Glencoe, Illinois |
| 1921 | Jim Barnes | 289 | | 9 strokes | Walter Hagen Fred McLeod | 500 | Columbia | Chevy Chase, Maryland |
| 1920 | Ted Ray | 295 | | 1 stroke | Jack Burke Sr. Leo Diegel Jock Hutchison Harry Vardon | 500 | Inverness Club | Toledo, Ohio |
| 1919 | Walter Hagen (2) | 301 | | Playoff | Mike Brady | 500 | Brae Burn (Main Course) | West Newton, Massachusetts |
| 1917–1918: Cancelled due to World War I |||||||||
| 1916 | Chick Evans (a) | 286 | | 2 strokes | Jock Hutchison | 300 | The Minikahda Club | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 1915 | Jerome Travers (a) | 297 | | 1 stroke | Tom McNamara | 300 | Baltusrol (Revised Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1914 | Walter Hagen | 290 | | 1 stroke | Chick Evans (a) | 300 | Midlothian | Midlothian, Illinois |
| 1913 | Francis Ouimet (a) | 304 | | Playoff | Harry Vardon (2nd) Ted Ray (3rd) | 300 | The Country Club | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| 1912 | John McDermott (2) | 294 | | 2 strokes | Tom McNamara | 300 | Country Club of Buffalo | Buffalo, New York |
| 1911 | John McDermott | 307 | | Playoff | Mike Brady (2nd) George Simpson (3rd) | 300 | Chicago | Wheaton, Illinois |
| 1910 | Alex Smith (2) | 298 | | Playoff | John McDermott (2nd) Macdonald Smith (3rd) | 300 | Philadelphia Cricket Club (St. Martin's Course) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 1909 | George Sargent | 290 | | 4 strokes | Tom McNamara | 300 | Englewood | Englewood, New Jersey |
| 1908 | Fred McLeod | 322 | | Playoff | Willie Smith | 300 | Myopia Hunt Club | South Hamilton, Massachusetts |
| 1907 | Alec Ross | 302 | | 2 strokes | Gilbert Nicholls | 300 | Philadelphia Cricket Club (St. Martin's Course) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 1906 | Alex Smith | 295 | | 7 strokes | Willie Smith | 300 | Onwentsia Club | Lake Forest, Illinois |
| 1905 | Willie Anderson (4) | 314 | | 2 strokes | Alex Smith | 200 | Myopia Hunt Club | South Hamilton, Massachusetts |
| 1904 | Willie Anderson (3) | 303 | | 4 strokes | Gilbert Nicholls | 200 | Glen View Club | Golf, Illinois |
| 1903 | Willie Anderson (2) | 307 | | Playoff | David Brown | 200 | Baltusrol (Original Course) | Springfield, New Jersey |
| 1902 | Laurie Auchterlonie | 307 | | 6 strokes | Stewart Gardner Walter Travis (a) | 200 | Garden City | Garden City, New York |
| 1901 | Willie Anderson | 331 | | Playoff | Alex Smith | 200 | Myopia Hunt Club | South Hamilton, Massachusetts |
| 1900 | Harry Vardon | 313 | | 2 strokes | John Henry Taylor | 200 | Chicago | Wheaton, Illinois |
| 1899 | Willie Smith | 315 | | 11 strokes | Val Fitzjohn George Low Sr. Bert Way | 150 | Baltimore (Roland Park Course) | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 1898 | Fred Herd | 328 | | 7 strokes | Alex Smith | 150 | Myopia Hunt Club | South Hamilton, Massachusetts |
| 1897 | Joe Lloyd | 162 | | 1 stroke | Willie Anderson | 150 | Chicago | Wheaton, Illinois |
| 1896 | James Foulis | 152 | | 3 strokes | Horace Rawlins | 150 | Shinnecock Hills | Shinnecock Hills, New York |
| 1895 | Horace Rawlins | 173 | | 2 strokes | Willie Dunn | 150 | Newport | Newport, Rhode Island |

## Summary by course, state and region

The U.S. Open has been played on 52 different golf courses; 22 in the Northeast, 18 in the Midwest, 6 in the South, and 6 in the West.
* Legend
* State totals – preceding courses are in that state
* Division totals – Divisions as defined by U.S. Census Bureau
* Region totals – each is composed of 2 or 3 divisions
* Total U.S. Opens
Col. 4 shows larger region which contains entity in col. 1 :
| Course/State/Region | No. | Years hosted | Geog. sort |
| Myopia Hunt Club | 4 | 1908, 1905, 1901, 1898 | MA |
| The Country Club | 4 | 2022, 1988, 1963, 1913 | MA |
| Worcester Country Club | 1 | 1925 | MA |
| Brae Burn Country Club | 1 | 1919 | MA |
| Total Massachusetts | 10 | | NewEng |
| Newport Country Club | 1 | 1895 | RI |
| Total Rhode Island | 1 | | NewEng |
| Total New England | 11 | | NEast |
| Winged Foot Golf Club | 6 | 2020, 2006, 1984, 1974, 1959, 1929 | NY |
| Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | 5 | 2018, 2004, 1995, 1986, 1896 | NY |
| Oak Hill Country Club | 3 | 1989, 1968, 1956 | NY |
| Bethpage Black Course | 2 | 2009, 2002 | NY |
| Fresh Meadow Country Club | 1 | 1932 | NY |
| Inwood Country Club | 1 | 1923 | NY |
| Country Club of Buffalo | 1 | 1912 | NY |
| Garden City Golf Club | 1 | 1902 | NY |
| Total New York | 20 | | MidAtl |
| Oakmont Country Club | 9 | 2016, 2007, 1994, 1983, 1973, 1962, 1953, 1935, 1927 | PA |
| Merion Golf Club | 5 | 2013, 1981, 1971, 1950, 1934 | PA |
| Philadelphia Cricket Club | 2 | 1910, 1907 | PA |
| Philadelphia Country Club | 1 | 1939 | PA |
| Total Pennsylvania | 17 | | MidAtl |
| Baltusrol Golf Club | 7 | 1993, 1980, 1967, 1954, 1936, 1915, 1903 | NJ |
| Englewood Golf Club | 1 | 1909 | NJ |
| Total New Jersey | 8 | | MidAtl |
| Congressional Country Club | 3 | 2011, 1997, 1964 | MD |
| Baltimore Country Club | 1 | 1899 | MD |
| Columbia Country Club | 1 | 1921 | MD |
| Total Maryland | 5 | | MidAtl |
| Total Mid-Atlantic | 49 | | NEast |
| Total Northeast | 59 | | USA |
| Pinehurst Resort | 4 | 2024, 2014, 2005, 1999 | NC |
| Total North Carolina | 4 | | SthAtl |
| Atlanta Athletic Club | 1 | 1976 | GA |
| Total Georgia | 1 | | SthAtl |
| Total South Atlantic | 5 | | South |
| Total East South Central | 0 | | South |
| Southern Hills Country Club | 3 | 2001, 1977, 1958 | OK |
| Total Oklahoma | 3 | | WSC |
| Champions Golf Club | 1 | 1969 | TX |
| Colonial Country Club | 1 | 1941 | TX |
| Northwood Club | 1 | 1952 | TX |
| Total Texas | 3 | | WSC |
| Total West South Central | 6 | | South |
| Total South | 11 | | USA |
| Medinah Country Club | 3 | 1990, 1975, 1949 | IL |
| Chicago Golf Club | 3 | 1911, 1900, 1897 | IL |
| Olympia Fields Country Club | 2 | 2003, 1928 | IL |
| North Shore Country Club | 1 | 1933 | IL |
| Skokie Country Club | 1 | 1922 | IL |
| Midlothian Country Club | 1 | 1914 | IL |
| Onwentsia Club | 1 | 1906 | IL |
| Glen View Club | 1 | 1904 | IL |
| Total Illinois | 13 | | ENC |
| Inverness Club | 4 | 1979, 1957, 1931, 1920 | OH |
| Canterbury Golf Club | 2 | 1946, 1940 | OH |
| Scioto Country Club | 1 | 1926 | OH |
| Total Ohio | 7 | | ENC |
| Oakland Hills Country Club | 6 | 1996, 1985, 1961, 1951, 1937, 1924 | MI |
| Total Michigan | 6 | | ENC |
| Total East North Central | 26 | | Midwest |
| Hazeltine National Golf Club | 2 | 1991, 1970 | MN |
| Interlachen Country Club | 1 | 1930 | MN |
| The Minikahda Club | 1 | 1916 | MN |
| Total Minnesota | 4 | | WNC |
| Bellerive Country Club | 1 | 1965 | MO |
| St. Louis Country Club | 1 | 1947 | MO |
| Total Missouri | 2 | | WNC |
| Erin Hills | 1 | 2017 | WI |
| Total Wisconsin | 1 | | WNC |
| Total West North Central | 7 | | Midwest |
| Total Midwest | 33 | | USA |
| Cherry Hills Country Club | 3 | 1978, 1960, 1938 | CO |
| Total Colorado | 3 | | Mtn |
| Total Mountain | 3 | | West |
| Pebble Beach Golf Links | 6 | 2019, 2010, 2000, 1992, 1982, 1972 | CA |
| Olympic Club | 5 | 2012, 1998, 1987, 1966, 1955 | CA |
| Torrey Pines Golf Course | 2 | 2021, 2008 | CA |
| Los Angeles Country Club | 1 | 2023 | CA |
| Riviera Country Club | 1 | 1948 | CA |
| Total California | 15 | | Pac |
| Chambers Bay | 1 | 2015 | WA |
| Total Washington | 1 | | Pac |
| Total Pacific | 16 | | West |
| Total West | 19 | | USA |
| Total U.S. Opens | 124 | | |
The 18th state to host the tournament was Washington in 2015, followed by the 19th state, Wisconsin, in 2017.

## Records

* Oldest champion: Hale Irwin in 1990 at 45 years, 15 days.
* Youngest champion: John McDermott in 1911 at 19 years, 315 days.
* Oldest player to make the cut: Sam Snead in 1973 at 61 years old. He tied for 29th place.
* Most victories: 4 by Willie Anderson 1901, 1903–1905; Bobby Jones 1923, 1926, 1929–30; Ben Hogan 1948, 1950–51, 1953; Jack Nicklaus 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980. NOTE: Hogan also won the 1942 Hale America National Open which was held jointly by the USGA, PGA and Chicago GA for the benefit of the Navy Relief Society and the USO.
* Most consecutive victories: 3 by Willie Anderson 1903–1905.
* Most consecutive victorious attempts: 3 by Ben Hogan 1948, 1950–51
* Most consecutive attempts in top 2: 5 by Bobby Jones 1922–1926
* Most consecutive attempts in top 5: 6 by Willie Anderson 1901–1906
* Most consecutive attempts in top 10: 16 by Ben Hogan 1940–1960 (next highest streak 7)
* Most runner-up finishes: 6, Phil Mickelson (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013)
* Most consecutive Opens started: 44 by Jack Nicklaus from 1957 to 2000.
* Largest margin of victory: 15 strokes by Tiger Woods, 2000. This is the all-time record for all majors.
* Lowest score for 36 holes: 130 – Martin Kaymer (65–65), rounds 1–2, 2014; Rickie Fowler (62-68), rounds 1-2, 2023.
* Lowest score for 54 holes: 199 – Rory McIlroy (65–66–68), rounds 1–3, 2011; Louis Oosthuizen (66-66-67), rounds 2–4, 2015.
* Lowest score for 72 holes: 268 – Rory McIlroy (65–66–68–69), rounds 1–4, 2011.
* Most strokes under par for 72 holes: 16 under (268) by Rory McIlroy, 2011; 16 under (272) by Brooks Koepka, 2017.
* Most strokes under par at any point in the tournament: 17 by Rory McIlroy, final round, 2011.
* Lowest score for 18 holes: 62 – Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, 1st round, 2023.
* Lowest score for 18 holes in relation to par: 9 under (63) – Justin Thomas, 3rd round, 2017.
* All four rounds under par (golfers who did not win the tournament in italics):
** Lee Trevino, 1968 (69–68–69–69, par 70)
** Tony Jacklin, 1970 (71–70–70–70, par 72)
** Lee Janzen, 1993 (67–67–69–69, par 70)
** Curtis Strange, 1994 (70–70–70–70, par 71)
** Rory McIlroy (65–66–68–69, par 71) and Robert Garrigus (70–70–68–70), 2011
** Brooks Koepka (67–70–68–67, par 72), Charley Hoffman (70–70–68–71), and Brandt Snedeker (70–69–70–71), 2017
* All four rounds under 70: Trevino, 1968; Janzen, 1993; McIlroy, 2011.
* Most frequent venues:
** 9 Opens: Oakmont Country Club – 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016
** 7 Opens: Baltusrol Golf Club – 1903, 1915, 1936, 1954, 1967, 1980, 1993
** 6 Opens:
*** Oakland Hills Country Club – 1924, 1937, 1951, 1961, 1985, 1996
*** Pebble Beach Golf Links – 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019
*** Winged Foot Golf Club – 1929, 1959, 1974, 1984, 2006, 2020
** 5 Opens:
*** Olympic Club – 1955, 1966, 1987, 1998, 2012
*** Merion Golf Club – 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013
*** Shinnecock Hills Golf Club – 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018
** 4 Opens:
*** Myopia Hunt Club – 1898, 1901, 1905, 1908
*** Inverness Club – 1920, 1931, 1957, 1979
*** The Country Club – 1913, 1963, 1988, 2022
*** Pinehurst Resort – 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024
There is an extensive records section on the official U.S. Open website.

## Broadcasting

Beginning with the 2020 tournament, NBCUniversal holds domestic television rights (with coverage on NBC, USA Network and Peacock), having taken over the remainder of the 12-year deal with the USGA signed by Fox Sports in 2013 that gave it exclusive rights to USGA championships from 2015 through 2026. With the postponed 2020 U.S. Open Championship presenting a significant scheduling challenge due to its other fall sports commitments, Fox had held discussions with the USGA over broadcasting the tournament on their cable network FS1 or partnering with NBC. Ultimately, the issues led the network to transfer the final seven years of its contract entirely. In 2020 and 2021, early round NBC cable coverage was carried on Golf Channel, beginning with the 2022 tournament this coverage was moved to the more available USA Network.
Coverage was previously televised by NBC and ESPN through 2014. NBC's first period as rightsholder began in 1995; ABC held the broadcast rights from 1966 through 1994.
In Australia, from 2015 Fox Sports Australia is the exclusive broadcaster of the U.S. open until 2018.

## Future sites

| Year | Edition | Course | Location | Dates | Previous championships hosted |
| 2025 | 125th | Oakmont Country Club | Plum, Pennsylvania | Jun 12–15 | 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016 |
| 2026 | 126th | Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Shinnecock Hills, New York | Jun 18–21 | 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018 |
| 2027 | 127th | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California | Jun 17–20 | 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019 |
| 2028 | 128th | Winged Foot Golf Club, West Course | Mamaroneck, New York | Jun 15–18 | 1929, 1959, 1974, 1984, 2006, 2020 |
| 2029 | 129th | Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Jun 14–17 | 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024 |
| 2030 | 130th | Merion Golf Club, East Course | Ardmore, Pennsylvania | Jun 13–16 | 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013 |
| 2031 | 131st | Riviera Country Club | Los Angeles, California | Jun 12–15 | 1948 |
| 2032 | 132nd | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California | Jun 17–20 | 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019 |
| 2033 | 133rd | Oakmont Country Club | Plum, Pennsylvania | Jun 16–19 | 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016 |
| 2034 | 134th | Oakland Hills Country Club, South Course | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Jun 15–18 | 1924, 1937, 1951, 1961, 1985, 1996 |
| 2035 | 135th | Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Jun 14–17 | 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024 |
| 2036 | 136th | Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Shinnecock Hills, New York | Jun 12–15 | 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, 2018 |
| 2037 | 137th | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California | Jun 18–21 | 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019 |
| 2038 | 138th | The Country Club | Brookline, Massachusetts | Jun 17–20 | 1913, 1963, 1988, 2022 |
| 2039 | 139th | Los Angeles Country Club, North Course | Los Angeles, California | Jun 16–19 | 2023 |
| 2040 | 140th | Merion Golf Club, East Course | Ardmore, Pennsylvania | Jun 14–17 | 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013 |
| 2041 | 141st | Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Jun 13–16 | 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024 |
| 2042 | 142nd | Oakmont Country Club | Plum, Pennsylvania | Jun 12–15 | 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016 |
| 2043 | 143rd | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2044 | 144th | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Pebble Beach, California | Jun 16–19 | 1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019 |
| 2045 | 145th | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2046 | 146th | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2047 | 147th | Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Jun 13–16 | 1999, 2005, 2014, 2024 |
| 2048 | 148th | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2049 | 149th | Oakmont Country Club | Plum, Pennsylvania | Jun 17–20 | 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016 |
| 2050 | 150th | Merion Golf Club, East Course | Ardmore, Pennsylvania | Jun 16–19 | 1934, 1950, 1971, 1981, 2013 |
| 2051 | 151st | Oakland Hills Country Club, South Course | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Jun 15–18 | 1924, 1937, 1951, 1961, 1985, 1996 |
Sources: