U.S. Senior Open

Last updated
U.S. Senior Open
2020 U.S. Senior Open logo.png
Tournament information
Established1980
Organized by USGA
Tour(s) PGA Tour Champions
European Senior Tour
Format Stroke play
Prize fund US$4,000,000
Month playedJune/July
Tournament record score
Aggregate261 Steve Stricker (2019)
To par−20 Fred Funk (2009)
Current champion
Flag of England.svg Richard Bland

The U.S. Senior Open is one of the five major championships in senior golf, introduced 44 years ago in 1980. [1] It is administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is recognized as a major championship by both the PGA Tour Champions and the European Senior Tour. The lower age limit was 55 in 1980, but it was lowered to 50 for the second edition in 1981, [2] which is the standard limit for men's senior professional golf tournaments. By definition, the event is open to amateurs, but has been dominated by professionals; through 2022, all editions have been won by pros. Like other USGA championships, it has been played on many courses throughout the United States.

Contents

Bernhard Langer became the oldest U.S. Senior Open Champion in 2023, winning at the age of 65 years 10 months. [3]

The total purse was the highest of any senior tour event until the Posco E&C Songdo Championship in South Korea, a Champions Tour event in 2010 and 2011 with a $3 million purse, but had a lower winner's share ($450,000). The U.S. Senior Open is again the highest purse on the PGA Tour Champions; in 2016 it was $3.75 million, and champion Gene Sauers earned $675,000. The purse in 2017 is anticipated to be $4 million, yielding a winner's share of $720,000.

Like other senior majors, players must walk the course unless they receive a medical exemption to use a cart. Winners gain entry into the following year's U.S. Open.

The playoff format was modified for 2018, reduced from three to two aggregate holes, followed by sudden death. [4] The three-hole aggregate playoff was used in 2002 and 2014; the final 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Senior Open was in 1991, won by Jack Nicklaus. [5]

Eligibility

The following players are exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open, provided they are 50 years old as of the opening day of the tournament. Amateur categories require that the player is still an amateur on the opening day of the tournament, except for the one-time exemption for former champions of the U.S. Amateur or The Amateur Championship. [6]

Special exemptions are given occasionally, and like other USGA events, many qualify through the local and sectional ranks.

Winners

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upPurse
($)
Winner's
share ($)
VenueLocation
2024 Flag of England.svg Richard Bland 267−13Playoff Flag of Japan.svg Hiroyuki Fujita 4,000,000720,000 Newport Newport, Rhode Island
2023 Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (2)277−72 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker 4,000,000720,000 SentryWorld Stevens Point, Wisconsin
2022 Flag of Ireland.svg Pádraig Harrington 274−101 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker 4,000,000720,000 Saucon Valley
(Old Course)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
2021 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Furyk 273−73 strokes Flag of South Africa.svg Retief Goosen
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mike Weir
4,000,000720,000 Omaha Omaha, Nebraska
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic [7] [8]
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker 261−196 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Kelly
Flag of the United States.svg David Toms
4,000,000720,000Warren Golf Course
U of Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana
2018 Flag of the United States.svg David Toms 277−31 stroke Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Kelly
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Petrovic
4,000,000720,000 Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado
2017 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry (2)264−162 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kirk Triplett 4,000,000720,000 Salem Peabody, Massachusetts
2016 Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sauers 277−31 stroke Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Ángel Jiménez
Flag of the United States.svg Billy Mayfair
3,750,000675,000 Scioto Upper Arlington, Ohio
2015 Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Maggert 270−102 strokes Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie 3,750,000675,000 Del Paso Sacramento, California
2014 Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie 279−5Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sauers 3,500,000630,000 Oak Tree National Edmond, Oklahoma
2013 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry 267−135 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk 2,750,000500,000 Omaha Omaha, Nebraska
2012 Flag of England.svg Roger Chapman 270−102 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk
Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman
Flag of the United States.svg Corey Pavin
2,750,000500,000 Indianwood Lake Orion, Michigan
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Olin Browne 269−153 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara 2,750,000500,000 Inverness Club Toledo, Ohio
2010 Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer 272−83 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples 2,600,000470,000 Sahalee Sammamish, Washington
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk 268−206 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Joey Sindelar 2,600,000470,000 Crooked Stick Carmel, Indiana
2008 Flag of Argentina.svg Eduardo Romero 274−64 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk 2,600,000470,000 Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado
2007 Flag of the United States.svg Brad Bryant 282−63 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Ben Crenshaw 2,600,000470,000 Whistling Straits
(Straits Course)
Haven, Wisconsin
2006 Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle (2)272−82 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson 2,600,000470,000 Prairie Dunes Hutchinson, Kansas
2005 Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle 274−101 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts
Flag of the United States.svg D. A. Weibring
2,600,000470,000 NCR
(South Course)
Kettering, Ohio
2004 Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen 272−121 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin 2,600,000470,000 Bellerive St. Louis, Missouri
2003 Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Lietzke 277−72 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson 2,600,000470,000 Inverness Club Toledo, Ohio
2002 Flag of the United States.svg Don Pooley 274−10Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson 2,500,000450,000 Caves Valley Owings Mills, Maryland
2001 Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Fleisher 280E1 stroke Flag of Japan.svg Isao Aoki
Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan
2,400,000430,000 Salem Peabody, Massachusetts
2000 Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (2)267−173 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Fleisher 2,250,000400,000 Saucon Valley
(Old Course)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Dave Eichelberger 281−73 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Ed Dougherty 1,750,000315,000 Des Moines West Des Moines, Iowa
1998 Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin 285+11 stroke Flag of Argentina.svg Vicente Fernández 1,500,000267,500 Riviera Pacific Palisades, California
1997 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh 280E1 stroke Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland 1,300,000232,500 Olympia Fields
(North Course)
Olympia Fields, Illinois
1996 Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton 277−112 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin 1,200,000212,500 Canterbury Beachwood, Ohio
1995 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf 275−134 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus 1,000,000175,000 Congressional
(Blue Course)
Bethesda, Maryland
1994 Flag of South Africa.svg Simon Hobday 274−101 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jim Albus
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh
800,000145,000 Pinehurst Resort
(No. 2 Course)
Pinehurst, North Carolina
1993 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (2)278−61 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf 700,000135,330 Cherry Hills Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
1992 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Laoretti 275−94 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jim Colbert 700,000130,000 Saucon Valley
(Old Course)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
1991 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus 282+2Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez 600,000110,000 Oakland Hills
(South Course)
Birmingham, Michigan
1990 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino 275−132 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus 500,00090,000 Ridgewood Paramus, New Jersey
1989 Flag of the United States.svg Orville Moody 279−92 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Frank Beard 450,00080,000 Laurel Valley Ligonier, Pennsylvania
1988 Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Gary Player (2)288EPlayoff Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles 400,00065,000 Medinah
(Course No. 3)
Medinah, Illinois
1987 Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Gary Player 270−146 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Doug Sanders 300,00047,000 Brooklawn Fairfield, Connecticut
1986 Flag of the United States.svg Dale Douglass 279−51 stroke Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg Gary Player 275,00042,500 Scioto Columbus, Ohio
1985 Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (3)285−34 strokes Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto De Vicenzo 225,00040,199 Edgewood Tahoe Stateline, Nevada
1984 Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (2)286+62 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer 200,00036,448 Oak Hill
(East Course)
Pittsford, New York
1983 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper 288+4Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Rod Funseth 175,00030,566 Hazeltine National Chaska, Minnesota
1982 Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber 282−24 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gene Littler
Flag of the United States.svg Dan Sikes
150,00028,648 Portland Portland, Oregon
1981 Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer 289+9Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper
Flag of the United States.svg Bob Stone
149,00026,000 Oakland Hills
(South Course)
Birmingham, Michigan
1980 Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto De Vicenzo 285+14 strokes Flag of the United States.svg William C. Campbell (a)100,00020,000 Winged Foot
East Course
Mamaroneck, New York

Multiple winners

Seven men have multiple victories in the U.S. Senior Open:

3 wins

2 wins

Successful defenders of the title were Barber (1985), Player (1988), and Doyle (2006).

Winners of both U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open

The following men have won both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Senior Open, the majors run by the USGA:

PlayerU.S. OpenU.S. Senior Open
Arnold Palmer 1960 1981
Billy Casper 1959, 1966 1983
Gary Player 1965 1987, 1988
Orville Moody 1969 1989
Lee Trevino 1968, 1971 1990
Jack Nicklaus 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 1991, 1993
Hale Irwin 1974, 1979, 1990 1998, 2000
Jim Furyk 2003 2021

Palmer (1954) and Nicklaus (1959, 1961) also won the U.S. Amateur, previously considered a major.

Future sites

YearEditionVenueLocationDates
202545th Broadmoor Golf Club Colorado Springs, Colorado June 26–29
202646th Scioto Country Club Columbus, Ohio TBD
202747th Oak Tree National Edmond, Oklahoma
202848th Crooked Stick Golf Club Carmel, Indiana
202949th Prairie Dunes Country Club Hutchinson, Kansas
203050th Spyglass Hill Golf Course Pebble Beach, California
203252nd Saucon Valley Country Club (Old Course) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
203858th Plainfield Country Club Edison, New Jersey
204262ndSaucon Valley Country Club (Old Course)Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Source: [9]

See also

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References

  1. "De Vicenzo cops Senior Open". Wilmington Morning Star. North Carolina. Associated Press. June 30, 1980. p. 7B.
  2. "Seniors tee it up in the US Senior Open". Nashua Telegraph. New Hampshire. Associated Press. July 8, 1981. p. 24.
  3. "65-year-old Bernhard Langer wins the US Senior Open to break the Champions' victory record". Washington Post. Associated Press. July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  4. "U.S. Open abandons 18 holes for 2-hole playoff". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  5. "Nicklaus' 65 beats Rodriguez". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 30, 1991. p. 23.
  6. "2014 U.S. Senior Open Entry Form" (PDF). USGA. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  7. Barrett, Scott (April 6, 2020). "U.S. Senior Open at Newport County Club canceled". The Newport Daily News. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  8. Altstadter, Jeff (April 6, 2020). "2020 U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Senior Women's Open Canceled". USGA.
  9. DePasquale, Brian (September 26, 2023). "Scioto, Oak Tree, Crooked Stick to Host Future U.S. Senior Opens". USGA. Retrieved September 28, 2023.