US Open Numbers

As the US Open approaches, I am atwitter with anticipation. I like to see golfers struggle to make par. I like that you’ll get a few 8s on the course. It makes me feel better about all my “8s.” Because I play from the back tees. Yeah… that’s the ticket.

But anyway, let’s look at some numbers regarding the hallowed tourney. They will stand as tributes to empiricism.

-The highest score on a single US Open hole is a 19 by Ray Ainsley at the par-4 No. 16 hole at Cherry Hills Country Club in 1938. That’s +15.

-Only four men have won the US Open 4 times: Willie Anderson, Robert T. Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus.** Tiger Woods is looking to join that club this week, and Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Lee Jansen are shooting for number three. **Jones and Nicklaus were also runners-up 4 times each.

Robert T. Jones once DQed from the Open for being too bad-ass.

-In 1896, the US Open course, Shinnecock Hills, measured 4,423 yds. The last time Shinnecock hosted the US Open, 2004, it measured 6,996 yds. This year’s course, Bethpage Black, measures 7,426 yds.

-A guy named George Burns finished T-2 at the 1981 US Open. The next year, he set the record with most consecutive birdies, 6. Another George Burns once said, “I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.”

I'm pretty sure this one's the golfer.

-In 1985, Oakland Hills had the T-3rd lowest cut in US Open history at 145 (+5); in 1996, Oakland Hills had the most rounds over par ever in the championship with 432 and had the most players make the cut with 108.

-Andy Miller is the only son of a past winner to register a hole in one at the US Open. The son of 1973 winner Johnnie Miller, Andy Miller achieved the ace on the 205 yd par 3 4th hole at Bethpage Black in 2002. That year, Tiger Woods was the only golfer to finish under par at 277 (-3). Miller finished at 300 (+20).

-Foreign-born winners of the US Open have come only from 5 countries: England, Scotland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. If it weren’t for New Zealand’s Michael Campbell (2005), the number would be 4.

-Days I will watch the tourney this year: 4.

-Sentimental Favorites this year: One. Win it for Amy, Mick.

Most are rooting for a conclusion similar to this.

Enjoy the US Open everybody!