US Open golf: A numerical look
1981
The year in which the US Open was last played at Merion. On that occasion, Australia’s David Graham was victorious.
150
The prize money, in dollars, won by England’s Horace Rawlins in the first US Open in 1895. Last year, Webb Simpson pocketed $1.44million at Olympic Club. This year’s winner is set to take home the same amount.
131
The number of bunkers on the course at Merion. The iconic sand-traps have been described as ‘The White Faces of Merion’ owing to the way they stare back at players. They were modelled on famous courses in Scotland.
80
The number of different winners in US Open history. The event has been played 109 times in 117 years, breaking only for war.
6,000
The average size, in square feet, of the greens at Merion, which are relatively small yet still bigger than those at last year’s venue.
25
The number of US Open winners in history who were born outside of the United States. This star-studded collection of international champions have between them claimed a total of 31 titles.
15
The largest winning margin ever recorded at a US Open when Tiger Woods dominated Pebble Beach in 2000.
524
The length, in yards, of the longest par 4 at Merion. Rated aamong the hardest holes on the course, the tough 18th is a brute of a finishing hole that will offer up limited birdie opportunites.
8
The number of times Oakmont has hosted the US Open (more than any other). Baltusrol is second with seven, while Oakland Hills has six in third. In contrast, the most-used Open venue, St Andrews, has played host to 28 championships.
2002
The year in which a public facility first played host to the US Open. The venue was Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in New York.
45
The age of the oldest-ever winner – America’s Hale Irwin – when he rolled back the years at Medinah 23 years ago.
7,643
The distance, in yards, of the longest US Open layout in history – Torrey Pines (South) in 2008. Merion, in comparison, is the shortest post-war course. Prior to that, none come close to Shinnecock Hills, which measured just 4,423 yards in 1896
9,048
The number of players who tried to qualify for the US Open in 2005, the most in the event’s history. The fewest was 11 in 1895.
