Quick 9: Most brutal US Open courses
The US Open is famed for being the toughest test out of all the major championships.
Wrist-breaking long rough, narrow fairways, super slick greens and devilish pin positions spring to mind when thinking about the second Major of the year.
Shinnecock Hills is set to play no different this year, as the course has been lengthened since the 2004 U.S. Open, and there have been reports that fairways have been tightened. Playing at nearly 7,500 yards, this par-70 is a monster.
This got us thinking. Which U.S. Open courses have been the most brutal? We take a look in this edition of Quick 9…
Myopia Hunt, 1898, 1901, 1905, 1908
Little-known Myopia Hunt hosted the US Open in four of the first 14 years of the tournament but it hasn’t been back to the Massachusetts course since 1908. The winning scores at Myopia were eye-watering – 328 (1898), 331 (1901), 314 (1905) and 322 (1908).
Oakland Hills, 1951
Ben Hogan wasn’t being overdramatic when he called Oakland Hills “the hardest course I ever played” following his seven-over-par victory in 1951. In fact, only two players broke par all week, both coming during the final round. Ben Hogan’s sensational 67 proved to be the decisive. He said: “I’m glad I brought this course—this monster—to its knees.”
Baltusrol, 1954
Despite proving to be an easier test in subsequent years, Baltusrol was a fearsome challenge in 1954. Only seven rounds finished under par for the entire event – and only one of them was better than a one-under 69. Ed Furgol took the title by one stroke after finishing with a four-over 284.
