1974 U.S. Open (golf)

Tournament summary

In the first round, with an even-par 70, Gary Player took the solo lead. In the second round Player shot a three-over-par 73 and retained the lead, now tied with Hale Irwin, Raymond Floyd, and Arnold Palmer. This group led by one over Tom Kite and Tom Watson.

In the third-round Watson shot a one-under-par 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Irwin. Palmer stayed in contention with a 73 (+3), now in solo third. However Player, Floyd, and Kite fell out of contention with significantly over-par rounds.

In the final round Watson bogeyed holes 4, 5, and 8 on the front nine to lose the lead to Irwin. He then bogeyed six more holes on the back nine to fall out of contention. Journeyman golfer Forrest Fezler shot one-under-par through the first 15 holes to suddenly move into contention. He then made long par putts at 16 and 17 to stay near the lead. Needing a birdie at 18 to tie Irwin, Fezler missed the green and could not convert another lengthy par save at the last, missing from 15 ft to finish with an even-par 70. He finished at 289 (+9), the clubhouse leader, but multiple strokes behind Irwin, still the overall leader. Irwin bogeyed the 15th and 16th holes but made a 10-footer (3 m) to save par at 17th. With a two-shot lead heading to the 18th, Irwin hit his approach to the center of the green and two-putted for par and the championship.

Winged Foot played extremely difficult throughout the tournament, leading sportswriter Dick Schaap to coin the phrase "The Massacre at Winged Foot," also the title of his book about the tournament. Irwin's 7-over total tied for second-highest aggregate winning score since 1935. Many complained that the USGA had intentionally made the course setup treacherous in response to Johnny Miller's record-breaking 63 the year before.

Sam Snead, age 62, broke a rib during practice on Wednesday and withdrew.

Course layout

Round summaries

First round

Thursday, June 13, 1974

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Second round

Friday, June 14, 1974

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Third round

Saturday, June 15, 1974

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Final round

Sunday, June 16, 1974

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Scorecard

Cumulative tournament scores, relative to par

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References

References

1. (June 15, 1975). "For you nostalgia fans – it's the Palmer of old!". Spokesman-Review.
2. "U.S. Open history: 1974". USGA.
3. Tomashek, Tom. (Jun 17, 1974). "Hail! Irwin wins Open by 2". Chicago Tribune.
4. Jenkins, Dan. (June 24, 1974). "Hale Irwin, sole survivor".
5. (June 17, 1974). "Irwin finishes with 287, gains two-stroke victory in U.S. Open". Youngstown Vindicator.
6. McCleery, Peter. (June 8, 2006). "The Massacre of '74 still lingers". ESPN.
7. Tomashek, Tom. (June 16, 1974). "Watson leads by 1 in Open; Arnie 3d". Chicago Tribune.
8. (June 16, 1974). "Watson takes lead as Arnie, Gary fade". Eugene Register-Guard.
9. (June 13, 1974). "Broken rib costs Snead Open berth". Bangor Daily News.
10. (June 14, 1974). "Sam slammed by Open jinx". The Age.
11. (June 15, 1974). "Arnie's back as he takes share of lead". Eugene Register-Guard.
12. "1974 U.S. Open". databasegolf.com.