The 113th edition of the US Open Golf Championship is set to begin on Thursday, June 13th and with a field consisting of the best players in the world, this year's major championship surely won't disappoint. Familiar faces Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy lead an unbelievable pool of talent as every one of the 156 players entering the championship hope to win one of the biggest events on Tour.
As is the case with most high-profile sporting events, the PGA Tour's U.S. Open has provided golf enthusiasts with some of the most memorable moments in golf history. Whether it's Payne Stewart's unforgettable winning putt in 1999 or Tiger's birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate in 2008, the U.S. Open has consistently given people a reason to follow the great game of golf. History is consistently made at this tournament and as the 2013 Open from Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania approaches, here's a look at the Top 5 Moments in U.S. Open history.
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5. Tiger Woods Wins 2000 Open by 15 Strokes
In a performance for the ages, Tiger Woods blew past the 2000 Pebble Beach field and never looked back, breaking numerous records en route to his first of 3 U.S. Open titles. Woods fired a 6-under 65 in the opening round, giving him a one shot lead over Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez heading into the second round of the tournament. Creating space after shooting a 69 on day 2, Woods saw his one shot lead balloon to 8 strokes as the rest of the field began to struggle mightily. With a 10 stroke lead at the completion of three rounds, Tiger went on to post a final round 67, giving him a four-day score of minus-12 while defeating his closest competitors - Jimenez and South Africa's Ernie Els - by a record 15 strokes. Winning his third major championship, the performance by Tiger Woods is considered one of the top showings in Major Championship history.
4. Arnold Palmer Outlasts Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus in 1960
One of the greatest comebacks in the history of golf took place at the 1960 U.S. Open, held at the famed Cherry Hills Country Club in Englewood, Colorado. Rising amateur Jack Nicklaus played well through three rounds, entering the final day at minus-2 and tied with veteran Ben Hogan for fifth place. Not in the final round picture was Arnold Palmer, who began the day a whopping 7 shots behind leader Mike Souchak. Palmer birdied 6 of his first 7 holes to get back in contention on Sunday. Posting a 6-under 65, Palmer put himself two ahead of two-time Amateur champion Jack Nicklaus while 47-year-old Ben Hogan folded down the stretch. The victory for Palmer was his first and only U.S. Open title.
3. Payne Stewart Sinks 15-footer to win 1999 U.S. Open
Winning his second U.S. Open championship at the age of 42, Payne Stewart gave birth to one of the most memorable moments in professional golf history, not just at the Open. Playing at the difficult Pinehurst Resort Course in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Stewart owned a one-stroke lead over Phil Mickelson heading into the final hole. After hitting a poor tee shot that forced him to lay up, Stewart's third shot on the Par 4 18th landed 15 feet from the hole. Payne drilled the par putt, avoiding a playoff to capture his first major title in 8 seasons. Sadly, Stewart was killed in a plane crash a few short months after his U.S. Open triumph.
2. Tiger Woods Makes Birdie to Force Playoff at 2008 Open
The 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines quickly became one of the best major championships in recent memory. Tiger Woods was in contention throughout the four-day event but with a sore knee, wasn't 100% even though he came up with some magnificent shots to keep himself near the top of the leaderboard. Trailing by one stroke as he walked up the 18th fairway during the final round, Woods faced a 12-foot birdie that would send him into a playoff with Rocco Mediate should he convert the shot. To no surprise, the 14-time major champion went on to sink the putt and defeat Rocco Mediate in a Monday playoff, claiming his third Open title. The 2008 major championship for Woods was his last. He'll look for Major No. 15 this week at Merion.
1. Tom Watson's Chip Shot on 17th Hole in 1982
One of the most celebrated golf shots of all-time, Tom Watson's incredible birdie on the 17th hole at Pebble Beach ranks among the top shots in golf history. Tied with Jack Nicklaus with two holes remaining, Watson buried his tee shot into the thick rough. After his friend and caddie Bruce Edwards told him to get it close, Watson proclaimed that he would in fact sink the chip. Following through on his promise, Watson's shot found the bottom of the cup and propelled him to his first U.S. Open championship.
There are certainly numerous moments in U.S. Open history that stand out. Feel free to share some of your favorite memories from one of golf's greatest championships.
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