The Best Of The Best
We asked our writers, editors and contributors to rank the 10 top U.S. Open playoffs. Here's our list
1. The shot heard 'round the world
1913 Francis Ouimet (72) defeats Harry Vardon (77) and Ted Ray (78) at The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.
Almost to a man our panel selected this monumental upset from nearly a century ago as the greatest playoff the U.S. Open has ever seen. The extra session was closer than the final score indicated, and the historical significance is too much to overlook. It's very likely the game would have eventually become popular in this country even if Ouimet had not pulled off the stunning victory, but the 20-year-old amateur's win over the British superstars truly ignited American golf. With an estimated 5,000 in attendance for the playoff, Ouimet held a one-stroke lead over Vardon on the 17th tee. Vardon drove into a bunker and made 5 while Ouimet hit his approach to 15 feet and made 3. The two-shot swing gave him a three-stroke lead and sealed the championship for the ultimate Cinderella. How much of a fairy tale was it? Think club team from England beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl … in overtime.
2. Battle of wounded knee
2008 Tiger Woods (71-4) defeats Rocco Mediate (71-5) at Torrey Pines GC (South), La Jolla, Calif.
That a gimpy-kneed Woods needed 19 extra holes to dispose of the talkative, likable Mediate was among the most incredible golf of the television era. What was discovered later—that Woods played on a broken leg—is otherworldly.
3. The passing of the torch
1962 Jack Nicklaus (71) defeats Arnold Palmer (74) at Oakmont (Pa.) CC
It was where the palace revolution began, but it wasn't so much a swan song for Palmer—he would win two of the next seven majors—but the emergence of Nicklaus, who beat Arnie on his own doorstep. The once-and-future kings tied at one-under 283. Nicklaus was up by as much as four strokes early in the playoff before Palmer cut the lead to one after 12 holes. The Bear, however, was resolute, taking the first of his record 18 professional majors and sending a message to Pennsylvania's No. 1 son and his loyal legions.
4. Hogan's comeback
1950 Ben Hogan (69) defeats Lloyd Mangrum (73) and George Fazio (75) at Merion GC, Ardmore, Pa.
After playing 36 holes Saturday to force a tie in his first U.S. Open after the car/bus collision that, among other injuries, shattered his left leg, Hogan completed what writer Dan Jenkins called "the most incredible comeback in the history of sports." Hogan led Mangrum by one after 15 holes before a two-stroke penalty on Mangrum and a Hogan birdie on 17 sealed the outcome and enhanced the legend.
5. The rubber snake
1971 Lee Trevino (68) defeats Jack Nicklaus (71) at Merion GC
Best remembered today because of the fake snake Trevino tossed at Nicklaus on the first tee—Lee's daughter is said to have left it in his golf bag—this Open proved to be the Merry Mex's finest hour. After making bogey on the first, Trevino played flawlessly thereafter, with birdies on Nos. 8, 12 and 15 to shoot two under and defeat Nicklaus by three. In three weeks' time Trevino would add the Canadian and British Opens to his portfolio, a trio of wins that has been matched only by Tiger Woods in his remarkable 2000 season.
6. Golf's greatest upset
1955 Jack Fleck (69) defeats Ben Hogan (72) at Olympic Club, San Francisco
Fleck, the unknown 33-year-old club pro from Bettendorf, Iowa, held a three-stroke lead after 12 holes of their extra session, when, despite advancing age—Hogan was nine years older than Fleck—and a putting stroke that was no longer magical, Bantam Ben began the comeback that everyone knew would result in his fifth Open title. Hogan cut the lead to one with one to play, but he slipped while hitting his tee shot on the last and hooked his drive into deep rough left of the fairway. Hogan made a double bogey to lose by three, and the Open had its most unheralded champion.
7. Snead's heartbreak
1947 Lew Worsham (69) defeats Sam Snead (70) at St. Louis GC, Clayton, Mo.
Symbolic of Snead's frustration in the U.S. Open, this was perhaps the cruelest loss in tournament history. Tied on the final green in the playoff, Snead was about to putt when Worsham interrupted, questioning whether Snead was away. He was, by an inch—30½ to 29½—but the measurement so unnerved Snead that he hit his downhill, left-to-right putt too softly. The ball didn't keep its line and turned away from the hole. Worsham made his putt for his only major victory.
