U.S. Senior Open history and records
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Most victories
Miller Barber
From 1964-1978, American golfer Miller Barber earned 11 wins on the PGA Tour. In just eight years on the Champions Tour, he picked up 24 victories, including three at the U.S. Senior Open (winning in 1982, 1984 and 1985). Three other golfers have two wins at the tournament.
From 1964-1978, American golfer Miller Barber earned 11 wins on the PGA Tour. In just eight years on the Champions Tour, he picked up 24 victories, including three at the U.S. Senior Open (winning in 1982, 1984 and 1985). Three other golfers have two wins at the tournament.
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Consecutive victories
Three golfers have successfully defended their titles at the U.S. Senior Open: Miller Barber picked up back-to-back wins in 1984 and 1985, Gary Player (pictured) earned consecutive victories in 1987 and 1988, and Allen Doyle won in 2005 and 2006.
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Most times runner-up
Tom Watson
Tom Watson has five major victories on the Champions Tour, but he never has won the U.S. Senior Open; it's one of just two major titles that has eluded him thus far in his senior golf career. Watson has come close to breaking through at the tournament, however, finishing as the runner-up three times (in 2002, 2003 and 2006).
Tom Watson has five major victories on the Champions Tour, but he never has won the U.S. Senior Open; it's one of just two major titles that has eluded him thus far in his senior golf career. Watson has come close to breaking through at the tournament, however, finishing as the runner-up three times (in 2002, 2003 and 2006).
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Oldest champion
Allen Doyle (2006)
He didn't turn professional until the age of 46, just four years before he was eligible to play on the Champions Tour. He has excelled in senior play, winning four majors, including two at the U.S. Senior Open. His win in 2006 came at the age of 58 years and 13 months, making him the oldest champion in tournament history.
He didn't turn professional until the age of 46, just four years before he was eligible to play on the Champions Tour. He has excelled in senior play, winning four majors, including two at the U.S. Senior Open. His win in 2006 came at the age of 58 years and 13 months, making him the oldest champion in tournament history.
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Youngest champion
Dale Douglass (1986)
In 1986, just three months and 24 days after turning 50 (and thereby qualifying for the Champions Tour), Dale Douglass became the youngest champion in U.S. Senior Open history.
In 1986, just three months and 24 days after turning 50 (and thereby qualifying for the Champions Tour), Dale Douglass became the youngest champion in U.S. Senior Open history.
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Oldest competitor
Harold McSpaden (1990)
Harold McSpaden set the record as the U.S. Senior Open's oldest competitor when he took to the course in 1990 at the age of 81.
Harold McSpaden set the record as the U.S. Senior Open's oldest competitor when he took to the course in 1990 at the age of 81.
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Winners of U.S. Open and Senior Open
Seven golfers have wins at both the U.S. Open and Senior Open. Hale Irwin (pictured) has three Open wins (1974, 1979, 1990) and two Senior Open victories (1998, 2000). He is joined by Arnold Palmer (1960 Open; 1981 Senior Open), Billy Casper (1959, 1966 Opens; 1983 Senior Open), Gary Player (1965 Open, 1987, 1988 Senior Opens), Orville Moody (1969 Open, 1989 Senior Open), Lee Trevino (1968, 1971 Opens; 1990 Senior Open) and Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 Opens; 1991, 1993 Senior Opens) with titles at both events.
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Winners of U.S. Amateur and Senior Open
Three golfers have won both the U.S. Amateur and Senior Open. Arnold Palmer (pictured) was the first, winning the Amateur in 1954 and the Senior Open in 1981. Jack Nicklaus had two Amateur wins (in 1959 and 1961) and two Senior Open wins (1991 and 1993). Bruce Fleisher won the Amateur in 1968 and Senior Open in 2001.
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Winners of U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and Senior Open
Only Jack Nicklaus (pictured) and Arnold Palmer have won at least once at the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open. Nicklaus won the Amateur title in 1959 and 1961, the Open in 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1980 and the Senior Open in 1991 and 1993. Palmer won the Amateur in 1954, the Open in 1960 and the Senior Open in 1981.
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Winners in their first Senior Opens
Seven golfers have won top honors at the U.S. Senior Open the first time they entered the tournament. Peter Jacobsen (2004) was the most recent first-time winner, joining the ranks of Roberto De Vicenzo (1980), Arnold Palmer (1981), Dale Douglass (1986), Lee Trevino (1990), Larry Laoretti (1992) and Don Pooley (2002).
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Winner after leading from start to finish (no ties)
Olin Browne went wire to wire to win the 2011 U.S. Senior Open at Inverness. He joined Dale Douglass (1986) as the only players to accomplish such a feat.
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From qualifier to Senior Open winner
Don Pooley (2002)
In order to make it into the 2002 U.S. Senior Open field, Don Pooley had to qualify. He went on to win the event that year, becoming the tournament's first and only qualifier to win.
In order to make it into the 2002 U.S. Senior Open field, Don Pooley had to qualify. He went on to win the event that year, becoming the tournament's first and only qualifier to win.
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Foreign-born champions
Only five foreign-born players have won this tournament. They are Roberto De Vicenzo, who was born in Argentina and won in 1980, South Africa's Gary Player, a repeat winner in 1987 and 1988, South Africa's Simon Hobday, who won in 1994, Australia's Graham Marsh (pictured), who won in 1997, and Germany's Bernhard Langer, who won in 2010.
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Largest margin of victory
When Gary Player (pictured) won the U.S. Senior Open in 1987, he did so in historic fashion. He beat the field by six strokes, the tournament's largest margin of victory ever. That feat was matched by Fred Funk in 2009 when he topped Joey Sindelar by six strokes as well.
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Lowest 72-hole total
Hale Irwin (2000)
With rounds of 66, 71, 65 and 65 at Saucon Valley Country Club in 2000, Hale Irwin won the U.S. Senior Open with a record-low aggregate score of 267.
With rounds of 66, 71, 65 and 65 at Saucon Valley Country Club in 2000, Hale Irwin won the U.S. Senior Open with a record-low aggregate score of 267.
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Most strokes under par after 72 holes
A 7-under 65 on the final day of the 2009 tourament helped Fred Funk finished with a winning score of a 20-under 268 (he had opened with a first-round 4-under 68, second-round 5-under 67 and third-round 4-under 68). While that mark didn't help him overtake Hale Irwin for the scoring record, it did give him the most strokes under par after four rounds at the U.S. Senior Open.
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Lowest 9-hole score
When D.A. Weibring (pictured) recorded a 30 on the front nine of his fourth round at Prairie Dunes Country Club in 2006, he became the 13th golfer in U.S. Senior Open history to record that low score. Richard King (1983), Gordon Jones (1987), Gary Player (1990), Tom Weiskopf (1993), Ed Dougherty (1999), Jim Thorpe (2000), John Jacobs (2000), Tom Kite (2001), Jay Sigel (2001), Allen Doyle (2005), Andy Bean (2006) and Loren Roberts (2006) all also shot 9-hole scores of 30.
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Lowest 18-hole score
Loren Roberts (2006)
Loren Roberts didn't win the U.S. Senior Open in 2006 (instead he finished in a tie for eighth), but he did post the lowest 18-hole score in tournament history. Roberts shot an 8-under 62 in the third round.
Loren Roberts didn't win the U.S. Senior Open in 2006 (instead he finished in a tie for eighth), but he did post the lowest 18-hole score in tournament history. Roberts shot an 8-under 62 in the third round.
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Lowest first-round score under par
Getting off to a strong start at the U.S. Senior Open, three golfers have set first-round records by shooting 7-under 64s. Craig Stadler (pictured) was the most recent to do it, posting his 64 in 2005. Bruce Fleisher (2000) and R.W. Eaks (2002) also stormed out to the front with 64s.
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Lowest second-round score
Vicente Fernandez (2003)
The lowest second-round score at the U.S. Senior Open was posted by Vicente Fernandez in 2003. He shot a 7-under 64 at the Inverness Club.
The lowest second-round score at the U.S. Senior Open was posted by Vicente Fernandez in 2003. He shot a 7-under 64 at the Inverness Club.
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Lowest third-round score
Loren Roberts (2006)
Not only did Loren Roberts set the record for lowest third-round score with his 8-under 62 in 2006, but he also set the record for lowest 18-hole score in U.S. Senior Open history.
Not only did Loren Roberts set the record for lowest third-round score with his 8-under 62 in 2006, but he also set the record for lowest 18-hole score in U.S. Senior Open history.
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Lowest fourth-round score
Allen Doyle (2005)
When Allen Doyle won his first U.S. Senior Open championship in 2005, he did so with the help of an exceptional fourth round. His 8-under 63 was both the tournament's lowest fourth-round score and its best finish by a champion.
When Allen Doyle won his first U.S. Senior Open championship in 2005, he did so with the help of an exceptional fourth round. His 8-under 63 was both the tournament's lowest fourth-round score and its best finish by a champion.
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Best first-round start by a champion
Peter Jacobsen (2004)
Peter Jacobsen started his 2004 U.S. Senior Open on a fantastic note, shooting a field-leading 6-under 65. Although he did fall out of the lead at the end of the third round, he rebounded to win the title that year.
Peter Jacobsen started his 2004 U.S. Senior Open on a fantastic note, shooting a field-leading 6-under 65. Although he did fall out of the lead at the end of the third round, he rebounded to win the title that year.
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Highest first-round score by a winner
Hale Irwin (1998)
When Hale Irwin shot a 6-over 77 to start the 1998 U.S. Senior Open, he found himself seven strokes off the lead. He quickly rebounded, however, shooting a 3-under 68 to pull within five strokes after 36 holes and then posting a third-round 71 to close the deficit to just three shots. After his fourth-round 69, Irwin had earned the victory.
When Hale Irwin shot a 6-over 77 to start the 1998 U.S. Senior Open, he found himself seven strokes off the lead. He quickly rebounded, however, shooting a 3-under 68 to pull within five strokes after 36 holes and then posting a third-round 71 to close the deficit to just three shots. After his fourth-round 69, Irwin had earned the victory.
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Highest third-round score by a winner
Four golfers have posted scores of 73 in the third round of the U.S. Senior Open and still gone on to win. Both Billy Casper (1983) and Allen Doyle (2005) shot 2-over 73s, while Lee Trevino (1990) and Dave Eichelberger (pictured, 1999) shot 1-over 73s.
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Lowest third-round score by a winner
Don Pooley (2002)
Scores of 71 and 70 in the first two rounds of the 2002 U.S. Senior Open didn't put Don Pooley out of contention at the tournament, but neither did it put him at the top of the field. His third-round score, however, did. He shot an 8-under 63 in the third round.
Scores of 71 and 70 in the first two rounds of the 2002 U.S. Senior Open didn't put Don Pooley out of contention at the tournament, but neither did it put him at the top of the field. His third-round score, however, did. He shot an 8-under 63 in the third round.
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Lowest score after the first 36 holes
Of the six golfers who share the record for lowest score after the first 36 holes at the U.S. Senior Open, only one has won the title that year: Simon Hobday (1994). Dave Stockton (1992), Bruce Fleisher (2000), Tom Watson (pictured, 2005), Loren Roberts (2005) and Craig Stadler (2005) all recorded scores of 133 but could not hold on to that advantage.
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Lowest score in the last 36 holes
Hale Irwin (2000)
En route to winning the U.S. Senior Open in 2000, Hale Irwin earned the tournament's lowest score over the last 36 holes. He shot a combined 12-under 130 in the third- and fourth-rounds.
En route to winning the U.S. Senior Open in 2000, Hale Irwin earned the tournament's lowest score over the last 36 holes. He shot a combined 12-under 130 in the third- and fourth-rounds.
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Lowest score after the first 54 holes
Olin Browne (2011)
Browne's 54-hole total of 15-under par at Inverness set the scoring record by a shot over Simon Hobday's 3-round total in 1994. He shot 64, 69 and 65 in the first three rounds.
Browne's 54-hole total of 15-under par at Inverness set the scoring record by a shot over Simon Hobday's 3-round total in 1994. He shot 64, 69 and 65 in the first three rounds.
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Lowest score in the last 54 holes
Tom Kite (2000)
The 2000 U.S. Senior Open featured extremely low scores from many different golfers. Although Tom Kite set the record for lowest score in the last 54 holes by shooting rounds of 65, 66 and 69 (for a total 13-under 200), he still finished five strokes out of first place.
The 2000 U.S. Senior Open featured extremely low scores from many different golfers. Although Tom Kite set the record for lowest score in the last 54 holes by shooting rounds of 65, 66 and 69 (for a total 13-under 200), he still finished five strokes out of first place.
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Lowest 72-hole score by an amateur
In the 2005 U.S. Senior Open, both Greg Reynolds (pictured) and George Zahringer posted aggregate scores of 288. They finished tied for 31st and tied in the record book with the lowest 72-hole score by an amateur.
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Largest lead after 18 holes
No golfer has opened up a lead larger than three strokes after the first 18 holes at the U.S. Senior Open, and only three golfers have built leads that large. They are Bob Charles (pictured, 1996), R.W. Eaks (2002) and Tom Watson (2003).
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Largest lead after 36 holes
Four golfers enjoyed record 36-hole leads of three strokes, but only Dale Douglass (1986) went on to win. Billy Casper (1988), Dave Stockton (1992) and Ed Dougherty (pictured, 1999) let their advantage slip away.
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Largest lead after 54 holes
Dave Stockton (1996)
Dave Stockton had a seven-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 1996 U.S. Senior Open at Canterbury Golf Club after starting with rounds of 70, 67 and 67. He made that advantage hold up and won the tournament by two strokes over Hale Irwin.
Dave Stockton had a seven-stroke lead heading into the final round of the 1996 U.S. Senior Open at Canterbury Golf Club after starting with rounds of 70, 67 and 67. He made that advantage hold up and won the tournament by two strokes over Hale Irwin.
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Most sub-par rounds in a career
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus had two U.S. Senior Open wins, but he was competitive in many more. He holds the record for most sub-par rounds in a career with 26.
Jack Nicklaus had two U.S. Senior Open wins, but he was competitive in many more. He holds the record for most sub-par rounds in a career with 26.
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Most rounds in the 60s
Hale Irwin
With a second-round 67 at the U.S. Senior Open in 2009, Hale Irwin recorded his 17th round in the 60s at the event, snapping a tie with Jack Nicklaus at 16. He added three more rounds in the 60s in 2011 at Iverness.
With a second-round 67 at the U.S. Senior Open in 2009, Hale Irwin recorded his 17th round in the 60s at the event, snapping a tie with Jack Nicklaus at 16. He added three more rounds in the 60s in 2011 at Iverness.
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Most top-five finishes
Hale Irwin
Hale Irwin has found hmself in the top five at the end of the U.S. Senior Open eight times throughout his career with the most recent being at Inverness in 2011. No other golfer has that many top-five finishes at the tournament.
Hale Irwin has found hmself in the top five at the end of the U.S. Senior Open eight times throughout his career with the most recent being at Inverness in 2011. No other golfer has that many top-five finishes at the tournament.
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Most top-10 finishes
Jack Nicklaus (pictured) finished in the top 10 at the U.S. Senior Open six straight years from 1990-1995 and eight times in all. That total is matched only by Miller Barber, who also has eight top-10 finishes at the tournament.
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Most appearances
Arnold Palmer
From the second U.S. Senior Open in 1981 (which he won) until 2005, Arnold Palmer participated in the tournament every year. Those 25 straight appearances are more than any other golfer; Dale Douglass is the only golfer who has competed in more than 20 U.S. Senior Opens.
From the second U.S. Senior Open in 1981 (which he won) until 2005, Arnold Palmer participated in the tournament every year. Those 25 straight appearances are more than any other golfer; Dale Douglass is the only golfer who has competed in more than 20 U.S. Senior Opens.
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Most double eagles
Bruce Lietzke (2005)
Using a rescue club on the sixth hole of the fourth round in 2005, Bruce Lietzke recorded the only double eagle in U.S. Senior Open history.
Using a rescue club on the sixth hole of the fourth round in 2005, Bruce Lietzke recorded the only double eagle in U.S. Senior Open history.
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Most consecutive birdies
In the first round of the U.S. Senior Open in 1986, Dale Douglass recorded five straight birdies in the first round on the sixth through 10th holes. Isao Aoki (pictured) equalled that mark in the third round of the 1995 tournament, with birdies on the fourth through eighth holes. In 2000, Bill Brask drained five straight birdie putts in the fourth round on the second through sixth holes.
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Holes in one
Fourteen golfers have aced a hole in U.S. Senior Open action. Those to do it in the first round are Dick Goetz (11th hole, 1997), Charles Smith (14th hole, 1998), amateur Randy Reznicek (12th hole, 2003), John Aubrey (6th hole, 2004), Mike McCullough (13th hole, 2004), amateur Pat Tallent (13th hole, 2005) and Curtis Strange (13th hole, 2005). Second round holes-in-one were recorded by Mac Main (7th hole, 1985), Hank Cooper (3rd hole, 1999) and Walter Hall, who had aces on the 13th hole in 2005 and the 10th hole in 2006. Bobby Nichols (17th hole, 1994), Jack Nicklaus (7th hole, 1995) and Rick Rhoden (pictured, 2nd hole, 2005) all had fourth-round aces.
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Oldest to make the cut
Jerry Barber (1992)
At the age of 76 years, 2 months and 24 days in 1992, Jerry Barber made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open.
At the age of 76 years, 2 months and 24 days in 1992, Jerry Barber made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open.
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Longest playoff
The longest playoff in U.S. Senior Open history went 19 holes. Billy Casper and Rod Funseth battled back and forth in 1983 before Casper finally pulled off the victory.
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Best finish and round by an amateur
No amateur golfer has ever won the U.S. Senior Open. William Campbell came the closest in 1980 when he finished in second place, aided by his record amateur score of 68 in the second round. Ed Tutwiler matched that 68 score in the third round of the 1980, and Jim Patti equalled it in the second round in 1991.
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Fewest and most amateurs to complete 72 holes
Inverness Club claimed a number of victims in 2003, as no amateur golfer was able to complete all 72 holes. That's in sharp contract to the first U.S. Senior Open. Played at Winged Foot in 1980, 16 amateurs made it to the end.
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Longest and shortest courses
Golfers who competed in the 2004 U.S. Senior Open at the Bellerive Country Club had to traverse more ground than those in any other U.S. Senior Open. The course stretched over a record 7,117 yards. Portland Golf Club, which hosted in 1982, had the shortest course at 6,439 yards.
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