The Outsiders

Lucas Glover's U.S. Open win might have felt like a monumental upset, but it can't compare to some of the shockers that came before

Francis Ouimet's playoff win over Harry Vardon (left) and Ted Ray (right) in the 1913 U.S. Open still stands as the greatest upset in golf history, if not in all of sports.

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By E. Michael Johnson

Photo by Photo courtesy of the USGA

June 24, 2009

Former USGA president Sandy Tatum was fond of saying the mission of the U.S. Open was to identify the best players in the world. And in the 50 years since Jack Fleck stunned Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the title at the Olympic Club in 1955, the USGA has rarely come up short in that quest. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to question the credentials of more than a handful of Open champions during that time frame.

Lucas Glover's win at Bethpage notwithstanding, the Open has produced its share of upset winners in its 110-year history -- Cinderfella stories in which players' careers enjoyed a jumpstart, a resurrection or simply one moment of glory. Here we present the top-10 all-time U.S. Open underdogs -- winners who raised not only their profile, but plenty of eyebrows as well, by capturing the national championship.

1. Francis Ouimet, 1913

Leading up:: The 20-year-old former caddie's biggest accomplishment had been winning the Massachusetts State Amateur.

How he won: With five-time British Open champion Harry Vardon and reigning British Open champ Ted Ray in at 304, Ouimet navigated the final four holes at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., in one under to forge a tie. In the playoff, Ray played poorly and Ouimet secured the title with a 3 on the 17th.

Aftermath: Ouimet's win ignited interest in golf in America. He remained an amateur, taking the U.S. Amateur title in 1914 and again in 1931. Also played on nine Walker Cup teams and captained six others. Became the first American captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in 1951.

2. Jack Fleck, 1955

Leading up:: The club pro from Davenport, Iowa, won less than $6,800 in 31 tour events prior to 1955 U.S. Open. Fleck came to Olympic Club having finished no better than T-10 in any tour event in 1955.

How he won: Made two birdies over the final four holes to tie Ben Hogan. In the playoff, Fleck birdied Nos. 8, 9 and 10 to go three ahead. Hogan got to within a stroke, but double bogeyed the 18th.

Aftermath: Had a steady, if unspectacular career, winning two more events. Best year was 1960 when he ranked 18th in earnings. Threatened in 1960 U.S. Open, finishing T-3, three strokes behind Arnold Palmer.

3. Orville Moody, 1969

Leading up:: After serving 14 years in the Army, Moody joined the tour in 1968, finishing 103rd in earnings. Came into the Open ranked 26th in earnings in 1969.

How he won: Trailed Miller Barber by three entering the final round at Champions GC near Houston. But Barber bogeyed five of the first eight holes in the final round, leaving Moody to duel Bob Rosburg for the title. After Rosburg missed a three-footer on the 72nd hole, Moody, a superb ball striker, parred the 18th to win by one.

Aftermath: The Open was Moody's lone win during a 16-year PGA Tour career in which he finished outside the top 100 in earnings more often than not. His senior career, however, was as surprising as his Open triumph as Moody captured 11 titles (including the 1989 U.S. Senior Open) and won more than $3.5 million.

4. Sam Parks Jr., 1935

Leading up:: Parks learned the fundamentals of the game from Gene Sarazen in 1922 but didn't play professionally until 1933. Had just four top-10s (including a second in the Pennsylvania Open at Oakmont CC in 1934) in two-plus years prior to his Open win.

How he won: Park played Oakmont more than 100 times before the Open. The preparation paid off as he was tied for the lead after 54 holes. The final round was played in poor weather and none of the players in the top 20 broke 75. Despite bogeying three of the last four holes, Parks' 76 was enough for a two-stroke victory.

Aftermath: Parks quit the tour in 1942 and went to work for U.S. Steel, eventually becoming a member of Oakmont.

5. Tony Manero, 1936

Leading up:: Although Manero, a club pro by trade, fashioned a handful of wins in lesser professional events, he needed to prevail in a playoff during qualifying to make the field.

How he won: Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper fired a tournament-record 284 on the Upper Course at Baltustrol GC in Springfield, N.J., but Manero's final-round 67 was two strokes better. Playing with boyhood friend Gene Sarazen, who had requested the pairing, calmed Manero's nerves, but after Manero holed out on the 72nd green, a complaint was filed with the USGA claiming Sarazen had provided Manero advice during the round. The USGA reviewed the matter, decided there was no validity to the claim and let Manero's win stand.