Updated: May 9, 2006, 9:54 AM

Vote: Best U.S. Opens (Golf)


 Who'sNo1
ESPN Classic has come up with the top 20 U.S. Open Championships ever played. But which is the greatest of all-time? We'll count them down on Sunday, June 11 at 9 p.m. ET. But first, we want your input, SportsNation!

Certainly, Tiger Woods' dominant 15-stroke victory in 2000 may be the freshest in your mind, but there are so many other great tournaments from years past. How about Ben Hogan's triumphant return from an auto accident to win the Open in 1950? Or Johnny Miller's final-round 63 at Oakmont Country Club in 1973? Or young Jack Nicklaus' victory over Arnold Palmer in a playoff in 1962?

So many to choose from, but there's only one #1! Take time to refresh your memory by scrolling down the page. Vote for your top five U.S. Opens of all-time, then watch "Who's #1?: Best U.S. Opens" on ESPN Classic on June 11 at 9 p.m. ET!

Which FIVE U.S. Opens below would you consider the best of all-time? (Vote for FIVE)

  • 1913: Francis Ouimet becomes the first amateur to win the U.S. Open, defeating professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff.

  • 1930: Bobby Jones wins the third leg of the Grand Slam by making three birdies on the last five holes and sinking a 40-footer on the last green to win by two strokes.

  • 1939: Byron Nelson won in the second playoff over Craig Wood. There was a four-way tie after 72 holes, before Nelson and Wood emerged from the first playoff.

  • 1950: Just 16 months after being involved in an auto accident, Ben Hogan won a three-way playoff to win his second U.S. Open title.

  • 1954: Ed Furgol, who shattered his left elbow as a child, won when Gene Littler missed an eight-footer to tie on the 18th hole.

  • 1955: Jack Fleck playing his first full year on the tournament tour, made two birdies on the last four holes to tie Ben Hogan and then beat him in a playoff.

  • 1960: Arnold Palmer trailed by seven strokes entering the final round, but shot a 65 to rally for his first championship.

  • 1962: Jack Nicklaus earned his first win as a professional by beating Arnold Palmer in a playoff.

  • 1964: After exhaustion almost got the better of him, Ken Venturi, a physician allowed him to continue and he won by four strokes.

  • 1966: Billy Casper became the first player to ever come from seven strokes back with nine holes to play to win the Championship. He did so by defeating Arnold Palmer, who blew the lead, in a playoff.

  • 1971: Lee Trevino defeated Jack Nicklaus in a playoff in which Nicklaus was never able to catch Trevino.

  • 1972: Jack Nicklaus won his third Open Championship by holding or sharing the lead throughout.

  • 1973: Johnny Miller overcame a five-shot deficit by shooting a final-round 63. That score remains tied for the lowest round ever at an Open.

  • 1982: Tom Watson won a battle with Jack Nicklaus when he chipped in for birdie on No. 17 and also birdied No. 18 to clinch a two-stroke victory.

  • 1984: Fuzzy Zoeller defeated Greg Norman by shooting a 67 in an 18-hole playoff. Norman sent it to extra holes by sinking a 45-foot par putt on the 72nd hole.

  • 1986: At 43, Raymond Floyd became the oldest player at the time to win the U.S. Open after firing a final-round 66 to win by two shots.

  • 1987: Scott Simpson made three consecutive birdies on the back nine to win his first U.S. Open title in a final-round duel with Tom Watson.

  • 1990: Eleven years after his last U.S. Open win, Hale Irwin captured the title in dramatic fashion with an 8-foot birdie putt on the 19th hole of the playoff with Mike Donald. At 45, Irwin became the oldest U.S. Open champ.

  • 1999: Payne Stewart held off a determined Phil Mickelson and captured the title with a spectacular par save on No. 18. He was the only player to finish under par.

  • 2000: Tiger Woods dominated despite blustery conditions, winning by 15 strokes, a major championship record.

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