This week, golfers around the world are preparing for the third major championship of the year: The U.S. Open.
Over the 100+ years of the U.S. Open, they have been many great performances, shots, and upsets that occurred in this major championship which is known for its deep rough and narrow fairways.
As the US Open is set to get underway, I have put together a list of what I think are the 25 greatest moments in the history of the United States Open Golf Tournament:
25. 1976-Pate's Gamble Pays Off
Jerry Pate, a 22-year-old rookie, held a one-shot lead over John Mafferty as the two headed to the final hole at the Atlanta Athletic Club when both men found the rough on their tee shots.
Mafferty’s second shot found the water while Pate grabbed a 5-iron and hit a shot that landed on the green just three feet from the hole.
Pate would birdie the hole to win his first and only career major.
Over the 100+ years of the U.S. Open, they have been many great performances, shots, and upsets that occurred in this major championship which is known for its deep rough and narrow fairways.
As the US Open is set to get underway, I have put together a list of what I think are the 25 greatest moments in the history of the United States Open Golf Tournament:
25. 1976-Pate's Gamble Pays Off
Jerry Pate, a 22-year-old rookie, held a one-shot lead over John Mafferty as the two headed to the final hole at the Atlanta Athletic Club when both men found the rough on their tee shots.
Mafferty’s second shot found the water while Pate grabbed a 5-iron and hit a shot that landed on the green just three feet from the hole.
Pate would birdie the hole to win his first and only career major.
24. 1996-Steve's Stunner
Steve Jones’s career was on the rise, thanks to three PGA tour victories in 1989, but a dirt bike accident in November 1991 sidelined him for three years as he suffered ligament and joint damage in his left ring finger and had to go through sectional qualifying just to play in the 1996 Open at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Michigan.
Jones got into contention with a second round 66(four under par) and was down by one shot to Tom Lehman as the final round began.
Jones and Lehman were still tied as the 18th hole when Lehman drove his tee shot into a bunker and ended up bogeying the hole while Jones parred the hole to win by one stroke.
Jones got into contention with a second round 66(four under par) and was down by one shot to Tom Lehman as the final round began.
Jones and Lehman were still tied as the 18th hole when Lehman drove his tee shot into a bunker and ended up bogeying the hole while Jones parred the hole to win by one stroke.
| Steve Jones holds the US Open Trophy after winning the 1996 tournament. |
23. 1994-Els’ Lucky Break
Ernie Els won his first career major in the 1994 Open, but it did not come without controversy.
Els’ first shot of the final round landed in some deep rough and it looked Els was in some trouble until a USGA official ruled that a broadcast truck was in his line of play or “a temporary immovable obstruction” which allowed Els to take a drop in a patch of grass.
Els would end up bogeying the hole and shortly after Els left the hole, the truck drove away leading to USGA to later admit that they made the wrong call and Els should have played from his original location.
Els would finish in a tie with Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts leading to a 18-hole playoff which went to sudden death where Els prevailed after Roberts bogeyed the second hole of sudden death giving Els the US Open(Montgomerie finished the first 18 holes four strokes back of Els and Roberts).
Els’ first shot of the final round landed in some deep rough and it looked Els was in some trouble until a USGA official ruled that a broadcast truck was in his line of play or “a temporary immovable obstruction” which allowed Els to take a drop in a patch of grass.
Els would end up bogeying the hole and shortly after Els left the hole, the truck drove away leading to USGA to later admit that they made the wrong call and Els should have played from his original location.
Els would finish in a tie with Colin Montgomerie and Loren Roberts leading to a 18-hole playoff which went to sudden death where Els prevailed after Roberts bogeyed the second hole of sudden death giving Els the US Open(Montgomerie finished the first 18 holes four strokes back of Els and Roberts).
| Ernie Els won the first of his four career majors in the 1994 US Open, though he was aided by a controversial ruling on the first hole of the final round. |
22. 1980-Jack’s Back
Heading into the 1980 US Open at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, many in the media suggested that Jack Nicklaus was done as he went through the 1979 season without a PGA Tour win, the first time that happened in his professional career.
But Nicklaus silenced the critics as he shot an opening round 63 on his way to a then-US Open record 272 as he finished eight under par to win by two strokes over Isao Aoki, to win his record-tying 4th US open and 16th career major championship.
| Jack Nicklaus holds up his putter in celebration after winning his record-tying 4th US Open. |
21. 1995-Pavin's Powerful Shot
Corey Pavin entered the 1995 Open at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Shinnecock, New York having won at least one tournament on the PGA Tour or internationally every year since 1984, but never a major.
Down by three shots as the final round began, Pavin held a one-shot lead over Greg Norman as the two went to the 18th hole when Corey took out his 4-wood for his second shot which was 228 yards from the cup.
Pavin’s shot landed five feet within the hole which Pavin tapped in for birdie, giving Pavin his only career major championship.
20. 1984-Fuzzy Waves The White Towel
Down three shots to leader Fuzzy Zoeller at the back-nine, Greg Norman was able to catch Zoeller and tie him as the “Shark” headed to the par-4 18th at the Winged Foot Club in Mamaroneck, New York
After hitting his approach shot into the grandstand, Norman was able to salvage a par when he hit a 45-putt that caused Zoeller, who was playing behind Norman, to wave a white towel to signal surrender.
However, Zoeller would par the 18th to force a 18-hole playoff with Norman, which he won easily by eight strokes to earn his second major championship.
16. 1923-Birth of Bobby Jones' Legend
After hitting his approach shot into the grandstand, Norman was able to salvage a par when he hit a 45-putt that caused Zoeller, who was playing behind Norman, to wave a white towel to signal surrender.
However, Zoeller would par the 18th to force a 18-hole playoff with Norman, which he won easily by eight strokes to earn his second major championship.
19. 1947-Worsham Stalls Snead
Sam Snead was good shape to win his first US Open as he held a two-shot lead over Lew Worsham with three holes to go in the 18-hole playoff at the St. Louis Country Club.
But after Snead bogeyed the 16th and Worsham birdied the 17th, the two were tied as they headed to the par-4 18th.
Snead missed a 15-foot birdie putt and was just about to hole out when Worsham called for a USGA official to see who was further from the hole as Worsham was 29 inches away after his missed birdie putt while Snead was 30.5 inches away.
The pause seemed to fluster Snead as he missed the short putt and ended up with a bogey while Worsham made his putt to save par and win his only career major while denying Snead the US Open, the only major championship “Slammin Sam” never won in his career.
18. 1931-The Longest Playoff
In 1928, the United States Golf Association or USGA, decided to make the 18-hole playoff a 36-hole playoff.
Playoffs were played in 1928 and 1929 without a hitch as both were decided in 36 holes, but the playoff were in 1931 dragged on for so long that it equaled the amount of holes in the regular tournament.
Billy Burke and George Von Elm played 36 holes and were still tied after Van Elm overcame a four-shot deficit after 23 holes and sink a birdie on the 36th hole to tie Burke again.
The rules detected that a winner had still not be determined after 36 holes, another 36-hole playoff would be played which was held the following day.
Finally after another 36 holes, a US Open champion was crowned as Burke finished one stroke ahead of Van Elm.
Following the 72-hole playoff, the USGA went back to the 18-hole playoff which still exists to this day.
17. 1974-The Massacre at Winged Foot
In 1928, the United States Golf Association or USGA, decided to make the 18-hole playoff a 36-hole playoff.
Playoffs were played in 1928 and 1929 without a hitch as both were decided in 36 holes, but the playoff were in 1931 dragged on for so long that it equaled the amount of holes in the regular tournament.
Billy Burke and George Von Elm played 36 holes and were still tied after Van Elm overcame a four-shot deficit after 23 holes and sink a birdie on the 36th hole to tie Burke again.
The rules detected that a winner had still not be determined after 36 holes, another 36-hole playoff would be played which was held the following day.
Finally after another 36 holes, a US Open champion was crowned as Burke finished one stroke ahead of Van Elm.
Following the 72-hole playoff, the USGA went back to the 18-hole playoff which still exists to this day.
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| George Von Elm(left) and Billy Burke hold the US Open Trophy before their epic 72-hole playoff in 1931. |
The conditions were so difficult at the Winged Foot Club, that famous sportswriter Dick Schaap nicknamed the 1974 US Open “The Massacre at Winged Foot”.
In the first round alone, no shoot below par and 44 players shot 80 or worse(that was at least 10 strokes over par on the par 70 course).
There would be seven sub-par rounds during the entire weekend as Hale Irwin survived to win with a seven over par, the second highest score for a winner in the post World War II era.
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| Hale Irwin won the first of his three US Opens in the 1974 "Massacre at Winged Foot". |
Jones held a three-shot lead after 54 holes but would bogey the 16th and 17th holes, then double bogey the 18th to force a 18-hole playoff with Bobby Cruickshank.
Jones and Cruickshank were tied entering the 18th hole when both players hit their first shots into the rough.
While Cruickshank decided to lay up and hit his second shot short of the green, Jones went for the green and took out his 2-iron and hit a shot that landed eight feet of the cup.
Jones two-putted for a par while Cruickshank ended up with a double bogey giving the title to Jones, thanks to his great 2-iron shot.
| Bobby Jones hits a tee shot during the 1923 US Open. |
15. 2011-Rory’s Breakthrough
After his collapse at the Masters where he blew a four-shot lead and shot a final-round 80, many wonder how Rory McIlroy would respond as the Open made its way to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
All McIlroy did was shoot 16 under par, the most strokes under par at a US Open, setting the tournament record for lowest score at 268, and becoming only the third player to shoot all four rounds at a US Open under 70 (65-66-68-69) as he won by eight strokes over Jason Day to capture his first major championship.
| Rory McIlroy set 11 US Open records during his dominant performance in 2011. |
14. 2006-Phil’s Choke
Phil Mickelson has finished 2nd in the US Open a record six times, but none of his 2nd place finishes were more excruciating than the one in 2006 at Winged Foot.
Holding a one-shot lead as he prepared to play the par-4 18th, Mickelson took out his driver and hit a shot that left into the trees.
Still going for the green, Mickelson’s second shot hit a tree and only went 25 yards, which was followed by his third shot going into a bunker.
Needing a miracle to pull out a par and win the tournament, Mickelson’s shot from the bunker could not get on the green as it had no spin and landed in the rough.
Phil could still force a playoff if he could chip in it from the rough, but his shot rolled six feet past the hole, giving the championship to Geoff Ogilvy.
Mickelson finished with a double bogey and afterward told the media “I am such an idiot”.
13. 1962-The Golden Bear’s First
In just his 17th start as a professional, 22-year old Jack Nicklaus defeated the best golfer in the world, Arnold Palmer in a 18-hole-playoff at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania as “The Golden Bear” jumped out to a four-shot lead after six holes and never looked back as he won by three strokes over Palmer his first career PGA Tour win and first career major.It was only the start of the greatest career in golf history as Nicklaus would capture 17 more majors, including three more US Opens.
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Arnold Palmer shakes Jack Nicklaus(hat) after Nicklaus defeated Arnie in a 18-hole playoff for his first of 18 career majors. |
Not having won a PGA tour event in five years, two-time US Open champion Hale Irwin was just lucky enough to be in the 1990 Open at the Medinah Country Club, just outside of Chicago.
Irwin was tied for 20th place entering the final round, four strokes behind the leaders, when he fired a final round 67 that concluded with an incredible 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that prompted Hale to run around the hole and taking high-fives from spectators.
However, Irwin had to play a 18-hole playoff with Mike Donald, that was still tied with after 18 holes, forcing the playoff to go to sudden death for the first time in tournament history.
Irwin would birdie the 19th hole of the playoff while Donald parred, making Irwin at 45 years old the oldest winner in US Open history and his third US Open title.
Irwin was tied for 20th place entering the final round, four strokes behind the leaders, when he fired a final round 67 that concluded with an incredible 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that prompted Hale to run around the hole and taking high-fives from spectators.
However, Irwin had to play a 18-hole playoff with Mike Donald, that was still tied with after 18 holes, forcing the playoff to go to sudden death for the first time in tournament history.
Irwin would birdie the 19th hole of the playoff while Donald parred, making Irwin at 45 years old the oldest winner in US Open history and his third US Open title.
11. 1964-Venturi Beats The Field and The Heat
In the last year where the final 36 holes were played on the same day, Ken Venturi seemed to put his career and life on the line to win the US Open at Congressional.
Venturi shot a 66 in the morning of the final day to move into second place, two shots behind leader Tommy Jacobs.
But because of temperatures nearing 100 degrees and humidity in the 90s, Venturi was suffering from dehydration and was advised not to play the afternoon 18 because of possible heat stroke which one doctor told Venturi could be fatal to which Venturi replied “I’m already dying, I have no place else to go”.
Venturi ignored the doctor’s advice and drank lots of fluids and salt tablets before going out for the afternoon 18, where he shot a 70 compared to Jacobs’ 76, giving Venturi a four-shot victory and his only career major championship.
In the last year where the final 36 holes were played on the same day, Ken Venturi seemed to put his career and life on the line to win the US Open at Congressional.
Venturi shot a 66 in the morning of the final day to move into second place, two shots behind leader Tommy Jacobs.
But because of temperatures nearing 100 degrees and humidity in the 90s, Venturi was suffering from dehydration and was advised not to play the afternoon 18 because of possible heat stroke which one doctor told Venturi could be fatal to which Venturi replied “I’m already dying, I have no place else to go”.
Venturi ignored the doctor’s advice and drank lots of fluids and salt tablets before going out for the afternoon 18, where he shot a 70 compared to Jacobs’ 76, giving Venturi a four-shot victory and his only career major championship.
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| Ken Venturi had to wipe off a lot of sweat during his run to the 1964 US Open title. |
10. 1955-A Flecky Upset
Jack Fleck, a 32-year-old municipal pro from Iowa, seemed to have no chance to win the US Open, even though he had forced a playoff with a 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Olympic Club in San Francisco, because he would be going up against 4-time US Open champion Ben Hogan.
However, Fleck stunned the gallery when three consecutive birdies at the 8th through 10th holes to give him a three-shot lead over Hogan.
But Hogan closed the gap to one shot as the two prepared to play the 18th when Hogan’s tee shot landed in the deep rough as he ended up with a double bogey while Fleck parred the final hole, for a three-shot victory over Hogan in one of the biggest upsets in golf history.
Jack Fleck, a 32-year-old municipal pro from Iowa, seemed to have no chance to win the US Open, even though he had forced a playoff with a 8-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Olympic Club in San Francisco, because he would be going up against 4-time US Open champion Ben Hogan.
However, Fleck stunned the gallery when three consecutive birdies at the 8th through 10th holes to give him a three-shot lead over Hogan.
But Hogan closed the gap to one shot as the two prepared to play the 18th when Hogan’s tee shot landed in the deep rough as he ended up with a double bogey while Fleck parred the final hole, for a three-shot victory over Hogan in one of the biggest upsets in golf history.
9. 1960-Palmer’s Comeback
Entering the final round at Cherry Hills Country Club in Englewood, Colorado, Arnold Palmer was tied for 15th place, seven shots back of leader Mike Souchak.
Entering the final round at Cherry Hills Country Club in Englewood, Colorado, Arnold Palmer was tied for 15th place, seven shots back of leader Mike Souchak.
That is when Palmer caught fire and birdied the first four holes, then parred the 5th, before birding the 6th and 7th holes to move to -4, where he remained as he ended up shooting a final round 65 to win his only US Open by two strokes in what is the largest deficit ever overcome at the start of a final round to win an US Open.
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| Arnold Palmer points to his name on the scoreboard after his final round 65 gave him his only US Open championship.
8. 1913-And An Amateur Shall Lead Them 20-year-old Francis Ouimet, accompanied by his 10-year-old caddy Eddie Lowery, becomes the first amateur player to win the US Open as he defeats Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, considered the best two golfers in the world, in a 18-hole playoff by shooting a one under par 72, while Vardon shoots 77(+4) and Ray shoots 78(+5). The events of the tournament is adapted into a 2005 movie called The Greatest Game Ever Played starring Shia LaBeouf as Ouimet.
7. 1982-Watson’s Chip-In
Tied with Jack Nicklaus for the lead as he approached the 17th par-3 at Pebble Beach, Tom Watson’s tee shot went left of the hole and landed in the rough.As he prepared for his second shot, Watson’s caddy, Bruce Edwards told to get it close.
Watson responded “Get it close?Hell, I’m going to sink it”. Watson took out his sand wedge and chipped the ball from the rough, which bounced onto the green, off the flagstick and into the cup for a shocking birdie that gave Watson the lead all by himself.Watson used the momentum of the chip-in at 17 to drain another birdie on the 18th, to give him a two-shot victory and his only US Open title.
6. 1999-Payne’s Pinehurst Putt
In the 1998 US Open, Payne Stewart blew a four-shot lead in the final round to lose by one stroke to Lee Janzen. One year later at Pinehurst No.2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Stewart got a chance at redeemed himself as he birdied the par-3 17th to take a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson to take the lead, then calmly sank in a 15-putt to save par to give Stewart his second U.S. Open title. As Mickelson went to congratulate Stewart, Payne told him “You’re going to love being a father” as Mickelson was expecting his first child and made headlines when he said he would leave the tournament even he were leading to be with his wife. While Mickelson’s wife gave birth to girl the next day, four months after his victory Stewart was killed in a plane crash at the age of 42.
5. 1966-Palmer’s Collapse
It appeared that Arnold Palmer had the Open wrapped up as held a seven-shot lead over Billy Casper with nine holes to play at Olympic. The lead was still five shots with four holes to play when the unthinkable as Casper birdied the next three holes while Palmer bogeyed 15 and 16, forcing a 18-hole playoff the next day. Once again, it seemed Palmer was on the verge of his second US Open as he held a two-shot lead with seven holes to go until Arnie bogeyed 12, 14, and 15, then double bogeyed 16, to fall behind by four shots, which was the margin of victory for Casper as he was the one to capture his second US Open.
4. 1973-Miller’s Record Charge
Johnny Miller seemed to take himself out of contention when he shot a third round 76(+5) to fall six strokes behind the leaders(it was a four-way tie at the top) and tied for 13th place. Just like Arnold Palmer in 1960, Miller would birdie the first four holes, then came back after a bogey on 8 to birdie the next four holes and after he parred 14, Miller was tied for the lead with Palmer, Julius Boros, and Tom Weiskopf. Miller would sink his ninth and final birdie of the round on 15 to give him sole possession of the lead and when it was all said and done, Miller was the US Open champion, thanks to his final round 63, the lowest round ever in a major championship. 
Johnny Miller's 63 is still the lowest round ever in a major championship, though it has been done 26 times since Miller did it in 1973.
3. 2000-Tiger’s Roar
Many golf experts and fans did not think that Tiger Woods could duplicate a dominant performance such as the one he had at the 1997 Masters. But at the 2000 Open at Pebble Beach, Woods completely obliterated the field as he became the first golfer to ever finish a US Open in double digits as he shot 12 under par and won by 15 strokes over second place Ernie Els to earn his third career major and the first win in the “Tiger Slam” in which he won all four majors in a row. 
Tiger Woods' 15-shot victory at the 2000 US Open is still the largest margin of victory at any major championship.
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2. 2008-On Wounded Knee
After missing two months because of arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Tiger Woods returned to golf at Torrey Pines, north of San Diego, a place where he had won seven times already in his career.
But unbeknownst to anyone beside Woods and those closest to him, Tiger had a double stress fracture in his left tibia that he suffered while rehabbing from the surgery.
Victory seemed unlikely as he trailed by five shots with six holes to play in the third round, when Tiger eagled the 13th, then chipped in for birdie on the 17th, and finally closed out the round with a 60-foot eagle putt on 18 to take a one-shot lead into the final round.
However, Woods lost the lead and trailed by one shot heading to the par-5 18th needing a birdie to force a playoff.
After getting to the green in three shots, Woods hit arguably the greatest putt of his career, as his 12-footer went into the cup for a birdie to force the 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate.
In the playoff, Woods jumped out to a three-shot lead after 10 holes until Tiger but again entered the 18th hole down one shot to Mediate, needing a birdie to force sudden death.
Once again, Woods made birdie and would win the tournament on the first hole of sudden death when Tiger parred the par-4 7th while Mediate bogeyed, giving Woods his third US Open.
Two days after the victory, Woods announced he would miss the rest of the 2008 season with reconstructive knee surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee.
After missing two months because of arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Tiger Woods returned to golf at Torrey Pines, north of San Diego, a place where he had won seven times already in his career.
But unbeknownst to anyone beside Woods and those closest to him, Tiger had a double stress fracture in his left tibia that he suffered while rehabbing from the surgery.
Victory seemed unlikely as he trailed by five shots with six holes to play in the third round, when Tiger eagled the 13th, then chipped in for birdie on the 17th, and finally closed out the round with a 60-foot eagle putt on 18 to take a one-shot lead into the final round.
However, Woods lost the lead and trailed by one shot heading to the par-5 18th needing a birdie to force a playoff.
After getting to the green in three shots, Woods hit arguably the greatest putt of his career, as his 12-footer went into the cup for a birdie to force the 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate.
In the playoff, Woods jumped out to a three-shot lead after 10 holes until Tiger but again entered the 18th hole down one shot to Mediate, needing a birdie to force sudden death.
Once again, Woods made birdie and would win the tournament on the first hole of sudden death when Tiger parred the par-4 7th while Mediate bogeyed, giving Woods his third US Open.
Two days after the victory, Woods announced he would miss the rest of the 2008 season with reconstructive knee surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee.
1. 1950-The Miracle At Merion
On February 2, 1949, Ben Hogan was involved in a horrific car accident with a Greyhound bus in Van Horn, Texas.
Hogan bravely threw himself across his wife, suffered numerous injuries including blood clots that would cause circulation problems in his legs for the rest of his life.
Hogan spent two months in the hospital and many thought his golf career was over.
However, Hogan returned to the PGA Tour in January 1950 where he lost to Sam Snead in a 18-hole playoff, then five months later Hogan traveled to Merion Golf Club, outside of Philadelphia, to compete in the US Open.
Hogan was in a three-way tie for the lead on the final hole with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio, when Hogan took out his 1-iron for his second shot on the par-4 18th which landed 40 feet of the hole.
Hogan would go on two-putt for to save par and enter a 18-hole playoff with Mangrum and Fazio.
Hogan held a one-shot lead after 13 holes when Fazio bogeyed four of the last five holes while Mangrum suffered a two-stroke penalty on 16 when he picked up his ball to remove a bug.
This allowed Hogan to cruise to victory as he captured the second of his four US Open titles, completing his incredible comeback from the car accident in a tournament that became known as “The Miracle at Merion”.
On February 2, 1949, Ben Hogan was involved in a horrific car accident with a Greyhound bus in Van Horn, Texas.
Hogan bravely threw himself across his wife, suffered numerous injuries including blood clots that would cause circulation problems in his legs for the rest of his life.
Hogan spent two months in the hospital and many thought his golf career was over.
However, Hogan returned to the PGA Tour in January 1950 where he lost to Sam Snead in a 18-hole playoff, then five months later Hogan traveled to Merion Golf Club, outside of Philadelphia, to compete in the US Open.
Hogan was in a three-way tie for the lead on the final hole with Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio, when Hogan took out his 1-iron for his second shot on the par-4 18th which landed 40 feet of the hole.
Hogan would go on two-putt for to save par and enter a 18-hole playoff with Mangrum and Fazio.
Hogan held a one-shot lead after 13 holes when Fazio bogeyed four of the last five holes while Mangrum suffered a two-stroke penalty on 16 when he picked up his ball to remove a bug.
This allowed Hogan to cruise to victory as he captured the second of his four US Open titles, completing his incredible comeback from the car accident in a tournament that became known as “The Miracle at Merion”.
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