A total of 156 golfers have descended upon Torrey Pines Golf Course for the 12st playing of the U.S. Open Championship. Among that group, there are the following:
U.S. Open champions (9): Bryson DeChambeau (2020), Dustin Johnson (2016), Martin Kaymer (2014), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Rory McIlroy (2011), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015) and Gary Woodland (2019)
U.S. Open runners-up (9): Tommy Fleetwood (2018), Brian Harman (2017), Dustin Johnson (2015), Brooks Koepka (2019), Shane Lowry (2016), Hideki Matsuyama (2017), Phil Mickelson (1999, 2002, ’04, ’06, ’09, ’13), Louis Oosthuizen (2015) and Matthew Wolff (2020)
U.S. Amateur champions (7): Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013), Viktor Hovland (2018), Matt Kuchar (1997), Phil Mickelson (1990), Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Tyler Strafaci (2020)
U.S. Amateur runners-up (3): Patrick Cantlay (2011), Corey Conners (2014) and Charles Osborne (2020)
U.S. Junior Amateur champions (4): Brian Harman (2003), Scottie Scheffler (2013), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11) and Will Zalatoris (2014)
U.S. Junior Amateur runners-up (3): Akshay Bhatia (2018), Justin Thomas (2010) and Matthew Wolff (2017)
U.S. Amateur Public Links champions (1): Chez Reavie (2001)
U.S. Amateur Four-Ball champions (1): Cole Hammer (2018)
USGA champions (20): Bryson DeChambeau (2015 U.S. Amateur, 2020 U.S. Open), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013 U.S. Amateur), Cole Hammer (2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball), Brian Harman (2003 U.S. Junior Amateur), Viktor Hovland (2018 U.S. Amateur), Dustin Johnson (2016 U.S. Open), Martin Kaymer (2014 U.S. Open), Brooks Koepka (2017, ’18 U.S. Open), Matt Kuchar (1997 U.S. Amateur), Rory McIlroy (2011 U.S. Open), Phil Mickelson (1990 U.S. Amateur), Edoardo Molinari (2005 U.S. Amateur), Chez Reavie (2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links), Justin Rose (2013 U.S. Open), Scottie Scheffler (2013 U.S. Junior Amateur), Webb Simpson (2012 U.S. Open), Jordan Spieth (2009, ’11 U.S. Junior Amateurs, 2015 U.S. Open), Tyler Strafaci (2020 U.S. Amateur), Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open), and Will Zalatoris (2014 U.S. Junior Amateur)
Walker Cup Team members:
United States (23): Akshay Bhatia (2019), Patrick Cantlay (2011), Cameron Champ (2017), Pierceson Coody (2021), Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Harris English (2011), Cole Hammer (2019, 2021), Brian Harman (2005, ’09), Russell Henley (2011), Max Homa (2013), Billy Horschel (2007), Dustin Johnson (2007), Matt Kuchar (1999), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’91), Collin Morikawa (2017), Patrick Rodgers (2011, ’13), Scottie Scheffler (2017), Webb Simpson (2007), Robby Shelton (2015), Jordan Spieth (2011), Tyler Strafaci (2021), Justin Thomas (2013) and Will Zalatoris (2017)
Great Britain & Ireland (8): Paul Casey (1999), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013), Tommy Fleetwood (2009), Joe Long (2021), Robert MacIntyre (2017), Rory McIlroy (2007), Justin Rose (1997) and Jordan Smith (2013)
NCAA Division I champions (4): Bryson DeChambeau (2015), Max Homa (2013), Phil Mickelson (1989, ’90, ’92) and Matthew Wolff (2019)
World Amateur Team Championship competitors (45): Luis Fernando Barco (2012, 2016, 2018, Peru), Paul Barjon (2012, France), Rafa Cabrera Bello (2000, Spain), Paul Casey (2000, Great Britain & Ireland), Corey Conners (2012, 2014, Canada), Cameron Davis (2016, Australia), Bryson DeChambeau (2014, USA), Thomas Detry (2010, 2012, 2014, Belgium), Dylan Frittelli (2008, 2010, South Africa), Luis Gagne (2018, Costa Rica), Sergio Garcia (1996, 1998, Spain), Cole Hammer (2018, USA), Billy Horschel (2008, USA), Viktor Hovland (2016, 2018, Norway), Mackenzie Hughes (2012, Canada), Sung Kang (2006, Republic of Korea), Martin Kaymer (2014, Germany), Si Woo Kim (2012, Republic of Korea), Matt Kuchar (1998, USA), Shane Lowry (2006, Ireland), Robert MacIntyre (2016, Scotland), Hideki Matsuyama (2008, 2012 Japan), Rory McIlroy (2006, Ireland), Adrian Meronk (2012, 2014, 2016, Poland), Phil Mickelson (1990, USA), Guido Migliozzi (2014, 2016, Italy), Edoardo Molinari (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, Italy), Francesco Molinari (2002, 2004, Italy), Collin Morikawa (2018, USA), Joaquin Niemann (2016, Chile), Wilco Nienaber (2018, South Africa), Alvaro Ortiz (2014, 2016, 2018, Mexico), Carlos Ortiz (2010, 2012, Mexico), Louis Oosthuizen (2002, South Africa), Taylor Pendrith (2014, Canada), Victor Perez (2014, France), Jon Rahm (2014, Spain), Scottie Scheffler (2016, USA), Charl Schwartzel (2002, South Africa), Cameron Smith (2012, Australia), Henrik Stenson (1998, Sweden), Justin Suh (2018, USA), Justin Thomas (2012, USA), Jhonattan Vegas (2002, Venezuela) and Bernd Wiesberger (2004, 2006, Austria).
TOTAL U.S. OPENS WON BY 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD (10): Brooks Koepka (2); Bryson DeChambeau (1), Dustin Johnson (1), Martin Kaymer (1), Rory McIlroy (1), Justin Rose (1), Webb Simpson (1), Jordan Spieth (1), and Gary Woodland (1)
PLAYERS IN FIELD WITH MOST U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2020): Phil Mickelson (29), Sergio Garcia (21), Stewart Cink (20), Adam Scott (19), Lee Westwood (19), Matt Kuchar (18), Paul Casey (17), Zach Johnson (17), Ian Poulter (15) and Justin Rose (15)
ACTIVE CONSECUTIVE U.S. OPEN APPEARANCES (through 2020): Sergio Garcia (21), Adam Scott (19), Zach Johnson (17), Dustin Johnson (13), Martin Kaymer (13), Matt Kuchar (13) and Rory McIlroy (12).
CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD – The USGA accepted 9,069 entries, the eighth-highest total in U.S. Open history. The record of 10,127 entries was set in 2014. More than 9,000 U.S. Open entries were received for the eighth consecutive time and the 12th time overall. The USGA accepted entries for the 2021 U.S. Open from golfers in all 50 states, including 1,222 from host state California, as well as the District of Columbia and 70 foreign countries.
The 156-player field includes 88 fully exempt golfers, nine of whom are past champions. Local qualifying over 18 holes was held at 108 sites between April 26-May 17. Final qualifying, played over 36 holes, was conducted at 10 sites in the United States; in Texas on May 24 and in California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Ohio (Columbus & Springfield), South Carolina and Washington on June 7. Japan hosted international final qualifying on May 24.
History of U.S. Open Championship Entries
Year Number Host Site
2014 10,127 Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2015 9,882 Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash.
2016 9,877 Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club
2013 9,860 Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
2017 9,485 Erin Hills, Erin, Wis.
2019 9,125 Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links
2009 9,086 Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale, N.Y.
2021 9,069 Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego, Calif.
2010 9,052 Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links
2018 9,049 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
2005 9,048 Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
2012 9,006 The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.
AMATEURS – Nine amateurs have made the 156-player field, the lowest total since 2012. Charles “Ollie” Osborne, the 2020 U.S. Amateur runner-up, and Joe Long, who won the 2020 Amateur Championship, conducted by The R&A, are in this group.
Osborne, of Reno, Nev., was edged by Tyler Strafaci, 1 up, in last year’s U.S. Amateur 36-hole final at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Osborne posted two top-20 finishes in his recently completed sophomore season at Southern Methodist University.
Long, of England, won the 125th Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale, defeating Joe Harvey, 4 and 3, in the final to become the first Englishman to win the Amateur since Harry Ellis in 2017. His victory earned him an invitation to the Masters and a U.S. Open exemption in 2021. Long was a member of the 2021 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team.
Pierceson Coody, of Plano, Texas, who just finished his junior year at the University of Texas, was a member of the victorious 2021 USA Walker Cup Team. Coody, who advanced to the U.S. Open in a 5-for-4 playoff in the Columbus, Ohio, final qualifier, won the 118th Western Amateur last August.
Cole Hammer, of Houston, Texas, was a member of the winning 2019 and 2021 USA Walker Cup Teams. Hammer, who reached the 2021 U.S. Open as the first alternate from the Columbus, Ohio, final qualifier, was this year’s Big 12 Conference individual champion and was a key figure in the University of Texas’ runner-up finish in the 2019 NCAA Championship.
Joe Highsmith, of Lakewood, Wash., was the medalist in the Richland, Wash., final qualifier. He won the Western Intercollegiate and had seven top-10 tournament finishes as a junior at Pepperdine University. He also helped the Waves capture the NCAA title on June 2, earning wins in all three match-play rounds, including the final over Oklahoma. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 North & South Amateur.
Matt Sharpstene, of Asheville, N.C., advanced to the semifinals of the 2020 U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes and reached the Round of 32 in last year’s North & South Amateur. He earned All-Midwest Region honors at West Virginia University before transferring to Charlotte University for the 2020-21 year.
Spencer Ralston, of Gainesville, Ga., was the runner-up in this year’s Southeastern Conference Championship as a fifth-year senior at the University of Georgia. He was a quarterfinalist in the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2.
Andrew Kozan, of West Palm Beach, Fla., posted three top-10 finishes as a senior at Auburn University in 2020-21. He advanced to Round of 32 in last year’s U.S. Amateur and reached match play in two U.S. Junior Amateurs (2015, 2016).
Matthias Schmid, of Germany, shared medalist honors in the Dallas, Texas, final qualifier. A senior at the University of Louisville, Schmid recorded five top-20 performances, including fourth in the NCAA Noblesville Regional. He won the 2020 European Amateur.
Note: Thirteen amateurs played in last year’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. John Pak, who tied for 51st, was the low amateur. was the last amateur to win the championship, in 1933.
How Amateurs Have Fared in Recent U.S. Opens
| YEAR | NUMBER | MADE CUT | TOP FINISHER |
| 2021 | 9 | ? | ? |
| 2020 | 13 | 1 | John Pak (T-51) |
| 2019 | 15 | 4 | Viktor Hovland (T-12) |
| 2018 | 20 | 3 | Luis Gagne, Matt Parziale (T-48) |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 | Scottie Scheffler (T-27) |
| 2016 | 11 | 1 | Jon Rahm (T-23) |
| 2015 | 16 | 6 | Brian Campbell (T-27) |
| 2014 | 12 | 1 | Matthew Fitzpatrick T-48) |
| 2013 | 10 | 4 | Michael Kim (T-17) |
| 2012 | 8 | 3 | Jordan Spieth (T-21) |
| 2011 | 12 | 3 | Patrick Cantlay (T-21) |
| 2010 | 10 | 2 | Russell Henley, Scott Langley (T-16) |
| 2009 | 15 | 3 | Nick Taylor (T-36) |
| 2008 | 11 | 3 | Michael Thompson (T-29) |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 9 | 2 | Matt Every (T-28) |
| 2004 | 8 | 4 | Spencer Levin (T-13) |
| 2003 | 10 | 2 | Trip Kuehne (T-57) |
| 2002 | 4 | 1 | Kevin Warrick (72nd) |
| 2001 | 3 | 1 | Bryce Molder (T-30) |
| 2000 | 7 | 1 | Jeff Wilson (59th) |
| 1999 | 6 | 1 | Hank Kuehne (65th) |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | Matt Kuchar (T-14) |
| 1997 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1996 | 6 | 4 | Randy Leen (54th) |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1993 | 3 | 1 | Justin Leonard (T-68) |
| 1992 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 4 | 1 | Phil Mickelson (T-55) |
| 1990 | 4 | 2 | Phil Mickelson (T-29) |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1988 | 4 | 1 | Billy Mayfair (T-25) |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 5 | 1 | Sam Randolph (T-35) |
| 1985 | 8 | 2 | Scott Verplank (T-34) |
| 1984 | 11 | 2 | Mark Hayes, Jay Sigel (T-43) |
| 1983 | 9 | 2 | Brad Faxon (T-50) |
| 1982 | 14 | 2 | Nathaniel Crosby 59th) |
| 1981 | 18 | 1 | Joey Rassett; (T-65) |
| 1980 | 18 | 2 | Gary Hallberg (T-22) |
LOCAL-FINAL QUALIFIERS – Christopher Crawford, who has competed on several professional circuits, including the newly created Forme Tour, is among 19 U.S. Open qualifiers who advanced through both local and final qualifying. Crawford, who is competing in his third U.S. Open, advanced through both stages for the third time. He also qualified in 2016 and 2017.
In 2018, Luis Gagne and Dylan Meyer were local-final qualifiers. Gagne, who played at LSU, shared low-amateur honors with Matt Parziale when they tied for 48th in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Meyer was the 2017 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year while playing for the University of Illinois. He tied for 20th at Shinnecock Hills in his first U.S. Open.
Wilson Furr advanced through the final qualifier at the Long Cove Club, in Hilton Head Island, S.C., as an alternate from local qualifying. Furr, who was the stroke-play medalist and reached the Round of 32 in the 2020 U.S. Amateur, is the fifth local alternate since 2010 to make the U.S. Open field.
Both stages of qualifying were canceled last year due to the pandemic. A total of 17 players worked their way to the U.S. Open through local and final qualifying in 2019. Andy Pope, Chandler Eaton and Charlie Danielson tied for 58th and were among four who made the 36-hole cut. In 2012, nine made the cut, the highest number since 1997.
In 2021, there were 108 local qualifying sites that led to 11 final qualifiers, including an international site in Japan. Ken Venturi (1964) and Orville Moody (1969) are the only players to win the U.S. Open after qualifying through both local and final play. Gene Littler (1961), Julius Boros (1963), Jerry Pate (1976), Steve Jones (1996), Michael Campbell (2005) and Lucas Glover (2009) have won as final qualifiers.
2021 Local-Final Qualifiers (19)
Name Final Site Local Site
Steve Allan Richland, Wash. Scottsdale, Ariz.
Luis Fernando Barco Dallas, Texas Orlando #1, Fla.
Mario Carmona Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas
Eric Cole Dallas, Texas Kennesaw, Ga.
Roy Cootes Rolling Hills Estates, Calif. La Quinta, Calif.
Christopher Crawford Rockville, Md. Glencoe, Ala.
Wilson Furr (L) Hilton Head Island, S.C. Glencoe, Ala.
Luis Gagne Jupiter, Fla. Orlando #1, Fla.
James Hervol Purchase, N.Y. Seekonk, Mass.
a-Joe Highsmith Richland, Wash. La Quinta, Calf.
Michael Johnson Columbus, Ohio Pine Mountain, Ga.
a-Andrew Kozan Jupiter, Fla. Weston, Fla.
Dylan Meyer Springfield, Ohio Springfield, Ill.
Carson Schaake Springfield, Ohio Beatrice, Neb.
Davis Shore Atlanta, Ga. Knoxville, Tenn.
Hayden Springer Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas
Sahith Theegala Springfield, Ohio Houston, Texas
Kyle Westmoreland Dallas, Texas Blythewood, S.C.
Zach Zaback Purchase, N.Y. West Palm Beach, Fla.
a-amateur
(L) – local alternate
Recent History of Local & Final Qualifiers
| YEAR | NUMBER | MADE CUT | TOP FINISHER |
| 2021 | 19 | ? | ? |
| 2020 | No qualifying due to COVID-19 | ||
| 2019 | 17 | 4 | Charlie Danielson, a-Chandler Eaton, Andy Pope (T-58) |
| 2018 | 21 | 7 | Dylan Meyer (T-20) |
| 2017 | 21 | 5 | a-Cameron Champ (T-32) |
| 2016 | 27 | 5 | Andrew Landry (T-15) |
| 2015 | 22 | 6 | Jimmy Gunn (T-27) |
| 2014 | 24 | 5 | Cody Gribble (T-21) |
| 2013 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 25 | 9 | John Peterson (T-4) |
| 2011 | 29 | 4 | a-Bud Cauley (T-63) |
| 2010 | 24 | 7 | a-Russell Henley, a-Scott Langley (T-16) |
| 2009 | 30 | 2 | Gary Woodland (T-47) |
| 2008 | 36 | 6 | Kevin Streelman (53rd) |
| 2007 | 26 | 2 | D.J. Brigman (T-30) |
| 2006 | 30 | 4 | Scott Hend (T-32) |
| 2005 | 30 | 5 | Paul Claxton (T-23) |
| 2004 | 35 | 5 | a-Spencer Levin (T-13) |
| 2003 | 28 | 3 | Dicky Pride (T-28) |
| 2002 | 22 | 6 | Jason Caron (T-30) |
| 2001 | 28 | 6 | Michael Allen (T-12) |
| 2000 | 37 | 6 | Bobby Clampett, Charles Warren (T-37) |
Oldest Local-Final Qualifiers (1997-2021)
52, Wes Short Jr. (2016) – b. 12-4-63
49, Mark McCormick (2012) – b. 12-14-62
49, Ken Peyre-Ferry (1998) – b. 3-4-49
49, Fran Quinn (2014) – b. 3-11-65
49, Jim White (1999) – b. 4-16-50
48, Darrell Kestner (2002)
48, Gary Koch (2001)
48, Geoffrey Sisk (2013)
47, Steve Allan (2021)
47, Andy Bean (2000)
47, Robert Gaus (2008)
47, Brandt Jobe (2013)
47, Andrew Morse (2006)
47, Paul Simson (1998)
46, Joe Daley (2007)
46, Darrell Kestner (2000)
46, Dick Mast (1997)
46, John Nieporte (2013)
46, Jerry Smith (2010)
Youngest Local-Final Qualifiers (1997-2021)
14, Andy Zhang (2012) – b. 12-14-97
15, Tadd Fujikawa (2006) – b. 1-8-91
15, Cole Hammer (2015) – b. 8-28-99
16, Tom Glissmeyer (2003)
16, Beau Hossler (2011)
16, Derek Tolan (2002)
16, Will Grimmer (2014)
17, Beau Hossler (2012)
17, Alberto Sanchez (2012)
18, Mason Andersen (2017)
18, Maverick McNealy (2014)
18, Robby Shelton (2014)
18, Gavin Hall (2013)
18, Luke List (2003)
18, Jason Semelsberger (1997)
ABOUT TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE
Torrey Pines Golf Course is a 36-hole municipal public golf facility that is owned by the city of San Diego. The course is named for the Torrey Pine, a rare tree that grows wild along this local stretch of coastline in San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island. The courses were built on the site of Camp Callan, a U.S. Army installation during World War II and sit on coastal cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, just south of Torrey Pines State Reserve. The North and South Courses were designed by William P. Bell and his son, William F. Bell. Rees Jones redesigned the South in 2002, with updates in 2018-19, and Tom Weiskopf redesigned the North in 2016. Since the late 1960s, Torrey Pines has hosted a PGA Tour event (now known as the Farmers Insurance Open) in which the North Course is also used during Rounds 1 and 2 before moving exclusively to the South Course for Rounds 3 and 4.
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT TORREY PINES
1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links (South Course): Trevor Immelman def. Jason Dufner, 3 and 2
2008 U.S. Open (South Course): Tiger Woods def. Rocco Mediate, 283 (71, 4) – 283 (71, 5)
OTHER EVENTS AT TORREY PINES
PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open (since 1968)
Junior World Golf Championship (every July)
San Diego City Amateur (every June)
USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CALIFORNIA
This will be the 85th USGA championship played in California and the 14th U.S. Open contested in the state. In 2021, the U.S. Women’s Open was held at The Olympic Club (Lake Course) in San Francisco from June 3-6. The 2023 U.S. Women’s Open will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and the 2023 U.S. Open will be held at The Los Angeles Country Club.
U.S. Open Championships in California (13):
1948: The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades (Ben Hogan)
1955: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Jack Fleck)
1966: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Billy Casper)
1972: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Jack Nicklaus)
1982: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tom Watson)
1987: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Scott Simpson)
1992: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tom Kite)
1998: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Lee Janzen)
2000: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Tiger Woods)
2008: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego (Tiger Woods)
2010: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Graeme McDowell)
2012: The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco (Webb Simpson)
2019: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach (Gary Woodland)
2008 U.S. OPEN
Tiger Woods outdueled Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff to win his third U.S. Open title and record-tying ninth USGA championship. Woods made par on the first extra hole after the two were tied following an 18-hole playoff. Woods had forced the playoff with Mediate by making a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of regulation play. The win was Woods’ final appearance of the year. Woods, who matched Bob Jones’ record for most USGA titles won, had knee surgery the following week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg. Lee Westwood finished third with a 72-hole score of 284 (even par).
1998 U.S. AMATEUR PUBLIC LINKS
Trevor Immelman, of South Africa, won the title, defeating Jason Dufner in the 36-hole final, 3 and 2. Immelman, who made eight birdies in the championship match, leaped to a 3-up lead through the opening five holes and never trailed. Bubba Watson, Ryan Armour and Ryuji Imada were among the players who advanced to match play.
2021 U.S. Open Players Who Competed in 2008 U.S. Open (14): Paul Casey (T-65), Stewart Cink (T-14), Sergio Garcia (T-18), Dustin Johnson (T-48), Zach Johnson (MC), Martin Kaymer (T-53), Matt Kuchar (T-48), Phil Mickelson (T-18), Justin Rose (MC), Adam Scott (T-26), Henrik Stenson (MC), Kevin Streelman (T-53), Bubba Watson (MC), Lee Westwood (3)
2021 U.S. Open Players Who Competed in 1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links (1): Bubba Watson (Rd. 64).
FUTURE U.S. OPENS IN THIS DECADE
June 16-19, 2022: The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.
June 15-18, 2023: The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club (North Course)
June 13-16, 2024: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
June 12-15, 2025: Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club
June 18-21, 2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
June 17-20, 2027: Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links
June 15-18, 2028: TBD
June 14-17, 2029: Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AT THE U.S. OPEN
Martin Kaymer: last international winner (2014)
Brooks Koepka: last to defend title (2018)
Francis Ouimet: last winner in his first attempt (1913)
Webb Simpson: last winner in his second attempt (2012)
Martin Kaymer: last start-to-finish winner with no ties (2014)
Jordan Spieth: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to win by one stroke (2015)
Gary Woodland: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole (2019)
Tiger Woods: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to force a playoff (2008)
Geoff Ogilvy: last winner without a round in the 60s (2006)
Gary Woodland: last winner with all rounds in the 60s (2019)
Bryson DeChambeau: last winner between ages 20-29 (27 in 2020)
Gary Woodland: last winner between ages 30-39 (35 in 2019)
Payne Stewart: last winner age 40 and higher (42 in 1999)
Gary Woodland: last defending champion to miss the cut (2020)
Hale Irwin: last winner who received a special exemption (1990)
Lucas Glover: last winner to come through final qualifying (2009)
Orville Moody: last winner to come through local and final qualifying (1969)
John Goodman: last amateur winner (1933)
PAST U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS – Brooks Koepka became the seventh player to repeat as U.S. Open champion in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Koepka also won at Erin Hills the previous year. Curtis Strange was the last before Koepka to win consecutive U.S. Opens in 1988 and 1989. Other champions who won back-to-back titles are John J. McDermott (1911, ’12), a-Bob Jones (1929, ’30), Ralph Guldahl (1937, ’38) and Ben Hogan (1950, ’51). Willie Anderson won three consecutive U.S. Open titles, from 1903-05.
In Defense of the U.S. Open
Year Champion Previous Year Result in Defense
2020 Bryson DeChambeau tie, 35th ----
2019 Gary Woodland tie, 36th missed cut
2018 Brooks Koepka won 2nd
2017 Brooks Koepka tie, 13th won
2016 Dustin Johnson tie, 2nd missed cut
2015 Jordan Spieth tie, 17th tie, 37th
2014 Martin Kaymer tie, 59th missed cut
2013 Justin Rose tie, 21st tie, 12th
2012 Webb Simpson tie, 14th tie, 32nd
2011 Rory McIlroy missed cut missed cut
2010 Graeme McDowell tie, 18th tie, 14th
2009 Lucas Glover did not play tie, 58th
2008 Tiger Woods tie, 2nd tie, 6th
2007 Angel Cabrera tie, 26th missed cut
2006 Geoff Ogilvy tie, 28th tie, 42nd
2005 Michael Campbell missed cut missed cut
2004 Retief Goosen tie, 42nd tie, 11th
2003 Jim Furyk missed cut tie, 48th
2002 Tiger Woods tie, 12th tie, 20th
2001 Retief Goosen tie, 12th missed cut
2000 Tiger Woods tie, 3rd tie, 12th
WHAT THE CHAMPION RECEIVES
Among the benefits enjoyed by the U.S. Open champion are:
►A U.S. Open exemption for the next 10 years
►An invitation to the next five Masters Tournaments
►An invitation to the next five Open Championships, conducted by The R&A
►An invitation to the next five PGA Championships
►An invitation to the next five Players Championships
►Exempt status on the PGA Tour for five years
QUALIFYING FOR THE OTHER MAJORS
The top 10 finishers (and ties) are exempt for next year’s U.S. Open. The top four finishers (and ties) are invited to the following year’s (2022) Masters Tournament.
CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY
The first United States Open Championship was won by Horace Rawlins in September 1895, at Newport (R.I.) Golf Club. Rawlins earned $150, a gold champion’s medal, and possession of the championship sterling silver cup for one year. The trophy was designated for display at Rawlins’ club until it was presented to the next year’s champion. Thus began a perennial rite that has endured for more than a century.
The original two-handled cup was destroyed by fire in September 1946 at Lloyd Mangrum’s home club, Tam O’Shanter, outside of Chicago. The USGA considered replacing it with a new design but opted instead to preserve the look of the original with a full-scale replica on April 24, 1947. This replica remained in service, passed from champion to champion until 1986, when it was permanently retired to the USGA Museum. Today, the U.S. Open champion receives possession of the 1986 full-scale replica.
The U.S. Open Trophy that debuted in 1947 is on display at the USGA Golf Museum in Liberty Corner, N.J.
HISTORY – This is the 121st U.S. Open Championship. The U.S. Open, which was first played in 1895, was not contested for two years (1917-18) during World War I and for four years (1942-45) during World War II. The youngest winner of the U.S. Open was 19-year-old John McDermott, who won in 1911; he is among eight players age 21 or younger who have won the U.S. Open. The oldest winner is Hale Irwin, who was 45 and playing on a special exemption when he won his third U.S. Open title in 1990. Irwin also won in 1974 and 1979.
There are four four-time U.S. Open winners: Willie Anderson (1901, 1903, 1904, 1905), amateur Bob Jones (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930), Ben Hogan (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953), and Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980).
TWO-TEE START – A two-tee start was first adopted for the 2002 U.S. Open. The USGA had successfully adopted a two-tee start for the U.S. Women’s Open in 2000 and for the U.S. Senior Open in 2001. Play will begin at 6:45 a.m. PDT on Thursday, June 17 on the first and 10th tees of the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
OPEN ECONOMICS – Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion, earned $2.25 million from a purse of $12.5 million last year at Winged Foot Golf Club. In 2008, Tiger Woods earned $1.35 million from a purse of $7.5 million. Tom Kite’s winning share in 1992 was $275,000 from a purse of $1.5 million in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.
OPEN BIRTHDAYS – Ten players in the U.S. Open field will celebrate a birthday around the championship. Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion, Matt Kuchar, the 1997 U.S. Amateur winner, and Scottie Scheffler, the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, are among this group.
2021 U.S. Open Competitor
Name Birthdate Age (on birthday)
Justin Suh 6-12-97 24
Peter Malnati 6-13-87 34
Cameron Champ 6-15-95 26
Lanto Griffin 6-15-88 33
Phil Mickelson 6-16-70 51
Brad Kennedy 6-18-74 47
Luis Fernando Barco 6-21-95 26
Matt Kuchar 6-21-78 43
Scottie Scheffler 6-21-96 25
Dustin Johnson 6-22-84 37
OLDEST & YOUNGEST – Phil Mickelson, who turns 51 on June 16, the day before the championship begins, is the oldest player in this year’s U.S. Open field. Mickelson won this year’s PGA Championship, his sixth professional major. He is a six-time U.S. Open runner-up. Akshay Bhatia, who was the runner-up to Michael Thorbjornsen in the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur, is the youngest at age 19 (born Jan. 31, 2002).
FIELD FOR THE AGES – There are six players in the 2021 U.S. Open field who will be 21 years old or younger when the first round begins on Thursday, June 17. Pierceson Coody and Cole Hammer, who are both 21, are teammates at the University of Texas and members of the winning 2021 USA Walker Cup Team.
There are 23 players in the field who are 40 or older. Stewart Cink, 48, has won twice on the PGA Tour in the 2020-21 season. Lee Westwood, 48, finished third behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Justin Rose, 40, won the 2013 U.S. Open.
The average age of the 156-player field is 31.05.
INTERNATIONAL GROUP – There are 26 countries represented in the 2021 U.S. Open. The United States has 84 players in the field, while England has 14, South Africa 9 and Australia has 7.
Countries with players in the field – United States (85), England (14), South Africa (9), Australia (7), Canada (4), Japan (4), Republic of Korea (4), Mexico (4), Italy (3), Spain (3), France (2), Germany (2), Scotland (2), Argentina (1), Austria (1), Belgium (1), Chile (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Republic of Ireland (1), Northern Ireland (1), Norway (1), Peru (1), Poland (1), Sweden (1) and Venezuela (1)
RETURNEES FROM 2020 – Bryson DeChambeau, the defending U.S. Open champion, is one of 78 players in this year’s field who competed in the 2020 U.S. Open last September at Winged Foot Golf Club. DeChambeau is also among the last eight major professional champions returning, including Phil Mickelson (2021 PGA), Hideki Matsuyama (2021 Masters), Dustin Johnson (2020 Masters), Collin Morikawa (2020 PGA), Shane Lowry (2019 Open), Gary Woodland (2019 U.S. Open) and Brooks Koepka (2019 PGA).
FIRST TIME AT U.S. OPEN – There are 43 players in the 2021 championship field who are playing in their first U.S. Open. Garrick Higgo, of South Africa, has won twice on the PGA European Tour and once on the PGA Tour this season. Marcus Armitage, of England, recorded his first career victory at the PGA European Tour’s Porsche European Open by carding a final-round 65 on June 7. Peter Malnati owns a PGA Tour victory, the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship. Hayden Buckley was a winner on the Korn Ferry Tour when he survived a three-man playoff in the Lecom Suncoast Classic on Feb. 21.
List of First-Time U.S. Open Players (43): Marcus Armitage, Yosuke Asaji, Chris Baker, Luis Fernando Barco, Akshay Bhatia, Hayden Buckley, Mario Carmona, Wyndham Clark, Eric Cole, a-Pierceson Coody, Roy Cootes, Dave Coupland, Wilson Furr, Fabian Gomez, James Hervol, Garrick Higgo, a-Joe Highsmith, Bo Hoag, Michael Johnson, Brad Kennedy, a-Andrew Kozan, Rick Lamb, a-Joe Long, Peter Malnati, Adrian Meronk, Guido Migliozzi, Taylor Montgomery, Wilco Nienaber, Alvaro Ortiz, a-Charles Osborne, a-Spencer Ralston, Carson Schaake, a-Matthias Schmid, a-Matt Sharpstene, Davis Shore, Jordan Smith, John Spaun, Hayden Springer, Zack Sucher, Johannes Veerman, Kyle Westmoreland, Dylan Wu and Zach Zaback
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE I – Charley Hoffman, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., is returning to his native San Diego for this year’s U.S. Open. Hoffman, who attended nearby Poway High School, won two state high school titles in 1994 and 1995. He has played in seven U.S. Opens and his best finish was eighth in 2017 at Erin Hills. Hoffman, 44, earned an exemption this year through the Official World Golf Ranking, as of June 7. He owns four career PGA Tour victories.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE II – Xander Schauffele was born in San Diego, Calif., and graduated from Scripps Ranch High School. He won the state high school championship in 2011. Schauffele, who captured the 2014 California State Amateur and was twice runner-up, earned All-America honors at San Diego State University. He has finished no lower than a tie for sixth in four U.S. Opens played. He tied for third in 2019 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and was fifth last year at Winged Foot Golf Club.
RETURN TO TORREY PINES – Phil Mickelson, a runner-up in the U.S. Open six times, returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course, the site of three of his 45 PGA Tour victories. He captured the Buick Invitational (now Farmers Insurance Open) in 1993, 2000 and 2001. Mickelson, who has won six major professional championships, tied for 18th in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He was born in San Diego and attended the University of San Diego High School.
WELCOME, PERU AND POLAND – Peru and Poland will be represented for the first known time at a U.S. Open this week. Luis Fernando Barco advanced to the U.S. Open through both qualifying stages, surviving a 10-for-1 playoff in final qualifying in Dallas. He earned all-region honors at Purdue University and currently competes on PGA Tour Latinoamerica. He finished third in the 2019 Latin America Amateur Championship and also tied for third in the 2016 championship. Adrian Meronk earned his U.S. Open exemption through the three-event European Tour Qualifying Series. The 27-year-old former East Tennessee State student is the first card-holding Polish native on the European Tour. Meronk advanced to match play in the 2015 U.S. Amateur and represented his country in three World Amateur Team Championships.
OH BROTHER! – The are two sets of brothers playing in the U.S. Open for the first time since 1990. Alvaro and Carlos Ortiz, of Mexico, and Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, of Italy, will play this week at Torrey Pines Golf Course. The Molinaris are playing in the same U.S. Open for the third time, having also competed in 2010 and 2011. Francesco, who won the 2018 Open Championship, will make his 11th start and Edoardo will play in his fourth U.S. Open. Carlos and Alvaro Ortiz will compete in their third and first championships, respectively. Bobby and Lanny Wadkins and Ivan and Michael E. Smith were the brothers in the U.S. Open field 31 years ago at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.
ALMA MATER – Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters Tournament champion, leads a group of eight University of Georgia players who are in the 2021 U.S. Open field. The Bulldogs have the most players competing and are followed by Arizona State University and the University of Texas with six each.
Colleges with Most Players in 2021 U.S. Open
8, Georgia (H. English, B. Harman, R. Henley, K. Kisner, S. Ralston, G. Sigg, B. Todd, B. Watson)
6, Arizona State (P. Casey, M. Jones, C. Kim, P. Mickelson, J. Rahm, C. Reavie)
6, Texas (P. Coody, D. Frittelli, C. Hammer, S. Scheffler, J. Spieth, J. Vegas)
GOLDEN FLASHES – Canadians Mackenzie Hughes, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith were teammates at Kent State University in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. Hughes, who was two years ahead of Conners and Pendrith, will play in his fourth U.S. Open. Conners, who like Hughes has won on the PGA Tour, is making his third U.S. Open start. In 2019, he was victorious in the Valero Texas Open. Pendrith, who served as Conners’ caddie in the 2014 U.S. Amateur final at Atlanta Athletic Club, is playing in his second U.S. Open. He tied for 23rd in 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club.
STUARD OF SPRINGFIELD – Brian Stuard, of Jackson, Mich., will play in his sixth U.S. Open and he has advanced to the championship through the Springfield, Ohio, final qualifier each time. He shot 66-69 and was one of seven qualifiers on June 7. Stuard was the medalist at the Springfield final site in 2013, 2014 and 2019. Stuard, who won the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans in a playoff in 2016, was one of four players to tie for medalist in Springfield two years ago and qualify for Pebble Beach.
LONG BREAK – Steve Allan, 47, of Australia, returns to the U.S. Open following an 11-year gap since his last appearance in 2010 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links. Allan was one of two players who advanced through the Richland, Wash., final qualifier on June 7. Allan, who also qualified on the local level, was born in Melbourne after his parents emigrated from Scotland. He has played on several professional tours and won the Australian Open in 2002. Allan will compete in his sixth U.S. Open. His best finish was a tie for 28th in 2005 at Pinehurst No. 2.
LAST ONES IN – The final two spots in the U.S. Open field were filled by first alternates from final qualifying on June 7.
Amateur Cole Hammer replaced fully exempt player Mikko Korhonen, of Finland, who withdrew due to travel concerns on June 9. Hammer shot 73-65–138 at Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club in the weather-delayed Columbus qualifier that was completed on June 8. He is playing in his third U.S. Open.
The USGA held one spot for multiple winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the FedExCup, in case the winner was not exempt. However, fully exempt player Garrick Higgo won Sunday’s Palmetto Championship at Congaree. Zack Sucher was then added to the field as the first alternate from the Hilton Head Island, S.C., final qualifier. He shot 69-69–138 at Long Cove Club. Sucher, who competes on the PGA Tour and has won on the Korn Ferry Tour, will play in his first U.S. Open.