US OPEN

The 10 Most Iconic U.S. Open Championships

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June 4, 2025

1962 US Open Jack Nicklaus Beats Arnold Palmer in Playoff — Arnold Palmer (L) shows the strain of his rough match with Jack Nicklaus (R) in the U.S. Open playoff at the Oakmont Country Club. The sign in the background shows Palmer three over at the end of the eight holes, and Jack Nicklaus one under as both golfers cross on the bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Nicklaus would go on to win by three for his first tour win and first of 18 majors. (Photo by Bettmann for USGA via Getty Images)

The U.S. Open, one of golf’s four major championships, has produced some of the most dramatic and unforgettable moments in sports history. From improbable comebacks to heartbreaking defeats, the tournament’s grueling test of skill and mental fortitude has cemented its place as a crucible for legends.

Below, we highlight the 10 most iconic U.S. Open editions, each marked by moments that resonate with fans decades later.

10. Ben Hogan’s Miracle at Merion (1950)

1950 US Open Ben Hogan Wins Ball — (Original Caption) Making one of the most spectacular comebacks in modern sports history, Ben Hogan is shown holding his last putt ball after winning a three-way playoff, for the U.S. Open Golf Championship with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio. Mangrum went over the Merion Golf Course in 73 strokes, while Fazio made up the rear with a playoff round of 75. Mangrum sustained a two-stroke penalty on the 16th green when he picked up his ball to blow off a ladybug and kissed it. (Photo by Bettmann for USGA via Getty Images)

When: June 8-11, 1950
Where: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Course: Merion Golf Club (East Course)
The Skinny: Ben Hogan’s 1950 U.S. Open win is one of golf’s greatest comeback stories. Just 16 months after a near-fatal car accident that left him with severe injuries, Hogan defied medical odds to compete at Merion. His iconic 1-iron shot to the 18th green in the final round — captured in a famous photograph — set up a par that forced a playoff. Hogan won the next day, shooting a 69 to claim his second of four U.S. Open titles. His resilience inspired generations in a post-war America.

9. Jack Nicklaus’ Maiden Major (1962)

1962 US Open Jack Nicklaus Beats Arnold Palmer in Playoff Clubs Inspect — Golfers Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus check their driver clubs before teeing off for a tie breaking playoff in the 1962 US Open. (Photo by Bettmann for USGA via Getty Images)

When: June 14-17, 1962
Where: Plum, Pennsylvania
Course: Oakmont Country Club
The Skinny: The 1962 U.S. Open marked the dawn of Jack Nicklaus’ legendary career. At just 22, the rookie took on local hero Arnold Palmer at Oakmont, in Palmer’s backyard. Nicklaus matched Palmer’s composure in a tense final round, forcing a playoff with a 71. In the playoff, Nicklaus’ 71 bested Palmer’s 74, securing his first professional win and first of four U.S. Open titles. The torch had been passed, setting the stage for Nicklaus’ 18 majors.

8. Tom Watson’s Chip-in Celly (1982)

1982 US Open Tom Watson Wins Chip in at Pebble Beach — Tom Watson chips in on the 17th hole during the final day of the US Open Golf Championship held at the Pebble Beach Golf Club in California on 20th June 1982. Watson won the tournament by two strokes. (Photo by Phil Sheldon for Popperfoto via Getty Images)

When: June 17-22, 1982
Where: Pebble Beach, California
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
The Skinny: Tom Watson’s 1982 U.S. Open is forever defined by one shot: a chip-in from the rough on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach. With one hole remaining, and tied with Jack Nicklaus, Watson faced a near-impossible shot from the heavy USGA-prepped rough. His caddie, Bruce Edwards, famously urged him to “get it close,” but Watson replied, “I’m gonna sink it.” He did just that — holing out for birdie and sparking wild celebrations. Watson also made birdie on the par-5 18th to secure a dramatic two-shot victory — his only U.S. Open title.

7. Tiger Woods Limps to Victory (2008)

Tiger Woods 2008 US Open — Tiger Woods birdies the 18th hole and celebrates to send it to a playoff round against Rocco Mediate during the final round of the US Open Championship at Torrey Pines South in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Charles Baus Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: June 12-16, 2008
Where: San Diego, California
Course: Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course)
The Skinny: Tiger Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open win is the ultimate testament to his willpower. Playing on a fractured leg and a torn ACL, Woods battled Rocco Mediate over 91 holes, including a 19-hole playoff. His fist-pumping birdies, grimaces of pain, and sheer refusal to quit captivated the sports world. Woods’ 14th major title, sealed with a clutch putt in regulation and a grind-it-out playoff, is considered one of the greatest individual performances in sports history. He would undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the PGA Tour season.

6. Payne Stewart’s Signature Farewell (1999)

Payne Stewart wins 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst — Payne Stewart celebrates after winning the 1999 U.S. Open tournament on Sunday June 20 at Course No. 2 of Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC (Photo by Robert Beck for Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

When: June 17-20, 1999
Where: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Course: Pinehurst Resort (No.2 Course)
The Skinny: Payne Stewart’s 1999 U.S. Open win was a masterclass in clutch performance, capped by a 15-foot par putt on the final hole to fend off Phil Mickelson. Stewart’s now iconic fist-pump celebration and sportsmanlike gesture to console Mickelson — who was expecting his first child — endeared him to fans. Tragically, just four months later, Stewart died in a plane crash at age 42. His victory, marked by his signature knickers, fist pump, and infectious joy, became a poignant farewell.

5. Hale Irwin’s Victory Lap (1990)

Hale Irwin Wins 1990 U.S. Open — Hale Irwin slaps hands of fans as he runs along edge of the 18th green after sinking a 60 foot birdie to finish 8 under par in final play of U.S. Open at Medinah, Ill. (Bettman for USGA via Getty Images)

When: June 14-18, 1990
Where: Medinah, Illinois
Course: Medinah Country Club (No.3 Course)
The Skinny: At 45, Hale Irwin, a two-time U.S. Open champion (1974, 1979), needed a special exemption to enter the 1990 U.S. Open. Four shots back entering the final round, he mounted a charge with a back-nine 31, capped by a dramatic 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th. His exuberant “Hale’s Run,” high-fiving spectators, became iconic — though, Mike Donald still forced a playoff. The two remained tied after a Monday playoff but Irwin finally prevailed on the first sudden death hole (No.91) — the first U.S. Open decided by sudden death after an 18-hole playoff. With the win, Irwin became the oldest U.S. Open champion at 45 years, 15 days, surpassing the record set in 1986 by Raymond Floyd by 15 months — a record that still stands today. This third title cemented his legacy.

4. Bryson DeChambeau’s Iconic Sand Save (2024)

Bryson DeChambeau Wins 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 — Bryson DeChambeau celebrates his winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 U.S. Open Championship on the No.2 Course at The Pinehurst Resort on June 16, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon via Getty Images)

When: June 13-16, 2024
Where: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Course: Pinehurst Resort (No.2 Course)
The Skinny: DeChambeau’s 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 was a nerve-shredding spectacle, echoing Payne Stewart’s 1999 heroics on the same course. Leading by three shots entering the final round, DeChambeau faced a fierce challenge from Rory McIlroy, who surged to a two-shot lead with four birdies on Nos. 9, 10, 12 and 13. DeChambeau remained composed and fought back, aided by a world-class short game, notably on the 18th: after a wayward drive into the native area, DeChambeau punched out to a bunker 55 yards from the pin, then hit “the bunker shot of my life” to inside four feet. He would sink the par putt for a 71 and 6-under 274, one clear of McIlroy, who missed two par putts inside 4 feet in the final three holes. It was DeChambeau’s second U.S. Open title, joining legends like Nicklaus and Woods as a multiple national champion. His emotional tribute to his late father and Stewart, a fellow SMU alum, capped a fan-favorite performance.

3. Johnny Miller’s Sunday 63 (1973)

1973 US Open Johnny Miller Wins With 63 — American golfer Johnny Miller enroute to winning the US Open Golf Championship at the Oakmont CC in Oakmont, Pennsylvania on 17th June 1973. Termed the greatest round in US Open history, Miller shot an 8 under-par 63 on the last day when only three other players broke 70. (Photo by Leonard Kamsler for Popperfoto via Getty Images)

When: June 14-17, 1973
Where: Plum, Pennsylvania
Course: Oakmont Country Club
The Skinny: Johnny Miller’s final-round 63 at Oakmont in 1973 redefined what was possible in a major. After a third-round 76, Miller was six shots off the pace and trailed 12 players, including four all-time legends: Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. But the 26-year-old caught fire, hitting all 18 greens in regulation and needing just 29 putts. His blistering start of four straight birdies, and a back-nine blitz, including four birdies in a five-hole span (Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 15), culminated in a near-miss for a 62. Miller’s 63, the first in major history, saw him finish on 5 under, one clear of John Schlee, two ahead of Tom Weiskopf, and three better than Nicklaus, Palmer, and Trevino — who all finished T4. Oakmont’s brutal reputation made this feat iconic.

2. Arnold Palmer’s Historic Comeback (1960)

1960 US Open Arnold Palmer Wins Comeback — June 19, 1960, file photo shows Arnold Palmer pointing to his name on the press tent scoreboard showing his four-under-par total, for 72 holes, during the National U.S. Open golf tournament at the Cherry Hills CC in Denver, Colo. The most famous U.S. Open comeback began with a question from Arnold Palmer in 1960 at Cherry Hills in explaining how he could rally from a big deficit. (AP Photo/File)

When: June 16-18, 1960
Where: Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
Course: Cherry Hills Country Club
The Skinny: The 1960 U.S. Open is the stuff of legend, thanks to Arnold Palmer’s electrifying charge. Trailing by seven shots entering the final round, Palmer, then 30, boldly predicted he could win if he shot a 65. He did just that, firing a front-nine 30 and finishing with a 65 to edge out young amateur Jack Nicklaus, then 20, and ageing icon Ben Hogan, then 48. Palmer’s swashbuckling style and charisma galvanized fans, ushering in a new era of golf fandom. This victory, his only U.S. Open title, remains a defining moment in the sport.

1. Francis Ouimet’s Stunning Upset (1913)

Caddie Eddie Lowry and Francis Ouimet shocked the sports world when local kid Ouimet won the 1913 U.S. Open in a playoff over Brits Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. (Credit: USGA)

When: September 18-20, 1913
Where: Brookline, Massachusetts
Course: The Country Club
The Skinny: In 1913, 20-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet, a former caddie living across from The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, scripted golf’s ultimate underdog story. Facing Harry Vardon — the era’s dominant golfer, akin to a modern Scottie Scheffler — and Ted Ray, the 1912 British Open champion, Ouimet tied them after 72 holes with a gritty final-round 79 in rainy conditions. In the 18-hole playoff, Ouimet’s composure shone, birdieing the 17th (the hole he grew up beside) and shooting a 72 to Vardon’s 77 and Ray’s 78. His five-stroke victory, with 10-year-old caddie Eddie Lowery by his side, captivated the young nation and popularized the sport in America, earning Ouimet the title: “Father of American Golf.” This triumph, immortalized in the movie ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played,’ remains a cornerstone of U.S. Open lore.

Honorable Mentions:

Tiger Woods’ Record-Setting Romp (2000)

Tiger Woods left the field in the dust at the 2000 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach. (Photo By Pete Pappas for USGA via Getty Images)

When: June 15-18, 2000
Where: Pebble Beach, California
Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links
The Skinny: Tiger Woods’ 2000 U.S. Open performance was a display of dominance never seen before or since. At Pebble Beach, the 24-year-old obliterated the field, winning by 15 strokes, a record margin in major championship history. Woods finished at 12-under par, the only player under par, and his precision and power left competitors in awe. This victory, part of his “Tiger Slam,” solidified his status as one of the greatest of all time.

Jordan Spieth’s Era (2015)

Jordan Spieth Wins 2015 U.S. Open — Jordan Spieth celebrates a birdie putt on the 16th green during the final round of the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay on June 21, 2015 in University Place, WA. Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

When: June 18-21, 2015
Where: University Place, Washington
Course: Chambers Bay
The Skinny: Jordan Spieth’s 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay was a rollercoaster of drama. The 21-year-old, fresh off a Masters win, navigated the controversial course with poise, birdieing the 16th and 18th to take a one-shot lead. Dustin Johnson, needing a birdie on the 18th to win, three-putted from 12 feet, handing Spieth his second major. Spieth’s emotional celebration and Johnson’s heartbreak made this a modern classic, highlighting the U.S. Open’s unforgiving nature.

Tony Jacklin Dominates, Breaks Drought (1970)

1970 US Open Tony Jacklin Wins — In London, England on 23rd June 1970, Great Britain’s Tony Jacklin, the British Open Champion, is pictured at Heathrow with his wife Viviene and son Bradley as he arrived back from winning the United States Open Golf Championship in Minneapolis. Jacklin proudly displays the trophy (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

When: June 18-21, 1970
Where: Chaska, Minnesota
Course: Hazeltine National Golf Club
The Skinny: Tony Jacklin’s 1970 U.S. Open victory was a landmark for international golf. The Englishman demolished the field, winning by seven strokes with a commanding performance at Hazeltine. His wire-to-wire lead and final-round 70 ended a 45-year drought for European champions, inspiring future stars like Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo. Jacklin’s triumph also highlighted the U.S. Open’s growing global appeal.

Payne Stewart’s Playoff Thriller (1991)

1991 Payne Stewart Wins — Payne Stewart of the United States (left) celebrates with the trophy after winning the US Open Golf Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 17, 1991 in Chaska, Minnesota, United States. Stewart defeated Scott Simpson of the United States in a play-off round. (Photo by Keith Hailey for Popperfoto via Getty Images)

When: June 13-17, 1991
Where: Chaska, Minnesota
Course: Hazeltine National Golf Club
The Skinny: Before his 1999 heroics, Payne Stewart claimed his first U.S. Open in 1991 in a gripping battle at Hazeltine. Tied with Scott Simpson after 72 holes, Stewart prevailed in an 18-hole playoff, overcoming a three-shot deficit with clutch play. His final-round 75 in brutal conditions showcased his grit, and the victory marked the arrival of a charismatic star. Stewart’s knack for shining under pressure foreshadowed his later Pinehurst triumph.