us open golf history
us open golf history
For most dads, a relaxing afternoon, snoozing in the recliner is their ultimate Father's Day. Not this year. Not if you look into 2006 US Open tickets for the old man. An American tradition since 1895, this year's Open returns to storied Winged Foot Country Club for the fifth time on June 17-20. The more than 7,000 yards of treacherous terrain at Winged Foot's vaunted West Course can frustrate even the word's best golfers. Even par might win this thing, just like last year.
In 2005 at fabled Pinehurst Country Club, Michael Campbell became the only the second New Zealander to win the US Open. He did so by coming from behind with a sizzling 1-under-par 69 in Sunday's final round under fierce conditions at Pinehurst. Campbell, who earlier in the year had won the Match Play Championship, was four strokes behind 2004 champion Retief Goosen entering the final round. But his red-hot putter coupled with Goosen's collapse soon found him on top of the leaderboard. Yet, guess who was lurking. Tiger Woods pulled within one of Campbell on the back nine, but faltered with bogeys on 16 and 17 to drop out of contention. Meanwhile, Campbell refused to fall prey to Pinehurt's rock-hard greens and suffocating rough. He finished at even par, two strokes better than runner-up Woods, and became the first winner to have earned an invite to the event through the sectional qualifying route in nine years.
The conditions at Medinah promise to be equally as brutal as they were last year at Pinehurst. Players will have to contend a simply gigantic layout that will demand long irons into hard, tight greens. The last time the Open came to Medinah, the legendary Hale Irwin went home victorious. Will another big name survive the test, or will an unknown steal the show again?
As always, Woods will be the favorite. But Phil Mickelson is right on his heels. Lefty has captured the last two majors, including the 2005 PGA Championship and the 2006 Masters. And don't forget about Goosen. The South African has two US Open titles under his belt and seemed headed for a third last year until his surprising collapse. Of course, there's his countryman Ernie Els, who also is a two-time winner. And don't count out Vijay Singh. He's always a contender at the majors. Make this Father's Day one your dad will remember forever. Hook him up with US Open tickets!
