US Open golf: A look back at Merion’s winners

Bobby Jones

1930 US Amateur
Jones had already claimed the 1924 US Amateur here (winning (9&8 in the final) and returned six years later having already captured the first three Majors of the year.
He cruised into the 36-hole final where he met Eugene Homans in a game played out in front of 18,000 fans.
The American went into lunch 7 up before closing out an 8&7 win.
Atlanta newsman OB Keeler christened the term Grand Slam which has stuck ever since. The feat is yet to be repeated.
Weeks after his victory at Merion Jones retired from competitive golf at the age of just 28.

Ben Hogan

1950 US Open
In February 1949 Hogan and his wife Valerie survived a head-on collision with a Greyhound bus leaving the then three-time Major winner facing the very real possibility of not walking again.
Less than 18 months later he had to endure a fifth round to overcome Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio having struggled through 36 holes on the final day, his legs visibly buckling late on.
A small plaque commemorates his 1 iron to the 72nd hole, from over 200 yards and into the wind, to secure a par and a place in the play-off. The club sits in the USGA museum today.

Edoardo Molinari

2005 US Amateur
Molinari became the first European in 94 years to lift this title and the first-ever golfer from Continental Europe.
He went into lunch in the final, against Dillon Dougherty, three down but required just 18 putts in 15 holes to close out a 4&3 success. He was seven under in the afternoon round.
The Italian only made it into a 19-for-17 play-off for the knockout stages when he holed a 40-foot bunker shot at the 9th, his last hole, for a three-over 73.
He was taken into extra holes in both the first and second rounds of the matchplay.

Team USA

2009 Walker Cup
The United States made it three straight wins in the competition with a 16 1/2-9 1/2 victory over Great Britian and Ireland.
Peter Uihlein and Rickie Fowler both posted perfect 4-0 records as the hosts won all four sessions while Niall Kearney, Sam Hutsby and Stiggy Hodgson contributed two points apiece for the visitors.
Cameron Tringale’s 8&6 battering of Luke Goddard made sure America would retain the cup and Uihlein’s triumph over Hodgson claimed the trophy outright.
Tommy Fleetwood, Wallace Booth and Matt Haines were also part of the GB&I outfit.