We’re less than a week away from the 2015 U.S. Open, which is set to take place at Chambers Bay in Washington for the first time ever. While the beautiful course along the shores of Puget Sound will serve as the battleground for this year’s U.S. Open, several other memorable sites have hosted the prestigious event and paved the way for unforgettable performances.
From the challenging terrains in the East to the scenic routes in the West, below we count down the five best courses to ever host the U.S. Open. And don’t forget to check out our own preview of the 2015 U.S. Open to aid you with your Father’s Day weekend wagers.
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Top 5 Best U.S. Open Golf Courses of All Time
5. Pinehurst No. 2
First to tee off on our list is North Carolina’s historic Pinehurst No. 2. Completed in 1907 by golfer and course designer Donald Ross, the second of eight courses in Pinehurst was the host of three U.S. Open tournaments. Just this past year, Pinehurst hosted both U.S. Opens – Men’s (won by Germany’s Martin Kaymer) and Women’s (won by Michelle Wie).
[sc:Golf240banner ]Pinehurst No. 2 will also be remembered as the venue of Payne Stewart’s one-stroke win over Phil Mickelson at the 1999 U.S. Open. Stewart sadly died from a plane crash accident a few months later, and a bronze statue of him (seen below) now stands on the 18th hole of the historic course.
4. Merion
Host to five U.S. Opens, the east course of Merion in Ardmore, Pennsylvania offers more than just the unique red wicker baskets topped on the pins of each hole. Merion is roughly just 6,800 yards in length – the shortest course on this list, and also shorter in distance compared to the other traditional majors courses that are a little over 7,000 yards.
This course was also the site of the 1950 “Miracle at Merion,” Ben Hogan’s miraculous comeback to the sport that saw him win the U.S. Open 16 months after a near-fatal bus collision. There’s even a plaque on the fairway of the 18th hole commemorating Hogan’s famous shot with his 1-iron from that tournament.
3. Oakmont
Not only has Oakmont hosted the most number of U.S. Open events on our list with eight, but it’s also considered to be one of the hardest golf courses in the world, period. There are over 100 bunkers scattered across this historic course, which is considered as one of the top 10 best (and also toughest) golf courses by Golf Digest on an annual basis.
Johnny Miller set an amazing record here in Oakmont for being the first player to record single round score of 63 in a major tournament back in 1973. Miller is also the last player to score a 63 in the final round to win a major.
“If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach.”
These were the words of golf legend Jack Nicklaus in praise of the picturesque course on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Back in 1972, Pebble Beach Golf Links was the first public course to stage the U.S. Open, and it was Nicklaus who was victorious in that inaugural event.
And while Pebble Beach will be remembered first and foremost for its captivating scenery along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it’s also the place for memorable U.S. Open moments such as Tom Watson’s chip-in shot in 1982, and Tiger Woods’ record of a 15-stroke margin of victory for a major tournament set in 2000.
1. Shinnecock Hills
Home of the oldest organized golf club in the United States (1891), Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York is truly one of golf’s best links courses in the world. The old-timey feel and the ever-changing hues of the terrain due to the weather conditions along the coast of Long Island add mystique and atmosphere to the legendary course.
Shinnecock has been the home to four U.S. Opens, including Raymond Floyd’s two-stroke win back in 1986 for his fourth and final victory in a major tournament. Today, we’re crowning it the best for its combination of heritage and the sheer uniqueness of its landscape.
