The Top 5 U.S. Opens

The 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach just ended on Sunday with a less than exciting finish. Instead of someone making a late back 9 charge, everyone seemed to make more bogeys than decent shots and Graeme McDowell essentially played just bad enough to not choke the title away. Guys like Woods, Els and Mickelson could have easily won with a semi-decent performance, but it wasn't meant to be. Let's take nothing away from McDowell's performance. It was gritty and he did what the best players in the world couldn't do on Sunday. He held it together when the pressure was on and took home the hardware. The 2010 U.S. Open left a lot to be desired, so I feel like we should take a look back at some of the best U.S. Opens ever played. These 5 Opens provided some of the most dramatic scenes and shots in the game of golf and will resonate for years to come. Remember, my rankings of the top 5 U.S. Opens are based on my humble opinions, so feel free to tell me if I am wrong!

Number 5

1913 - Francis Ouimet at The Country Club; Brookline, MA

Ouimet was an unknown 20 year-old amateur who had caddied at the golf course before he stunned a number of well known Brits to capture the 1913 title. Widely hailed as one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports, Ouimet beat Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff to win. He was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open and his story was so unbelievable that it has even led to a Hollywood movie aptly titled The Greatest Game Ever Played. Ouimet came from nowhere to win and inspired the hopes and dreams of amateurs everywhere to challenge the best golfers in the world for golf's most prestigious title which has been part of the allure of the U.S. Open ever since.

Number 4

1982 - Tom Watson at Pebble Beach Golf Links; Pebble Beach, CA

Pebble Beach was the host to the U.S. Open for a second time in 1982 when Tom Watson held off a furious charge from Jack Nicklaus to claim his only U.S. Open. Watson hit one of the most famous shots in golf on the 17^th hole in the final round. With when his tee shot flew the green and landed in a gnarly lie, his caddie Bruce Edwards told him to "get it close." Watson replied confidently "I'm going to make it." When his miracle chip hit the bottom of the cup for an improbable birdie Watson pointed back at Edwards and to say "I told you so." That shot gave Watson the lead and he birdied the 18^th for a 2 shot victory. Tom Watson won 8 major titles, but with one shot in the 1982 U.S. Open, he made this one his most remembered.

Number 3

1960 - Arnold Palmer at Cherry Hills Country Club; Cherry Hills Village, CO

Arnold Palmer is one of the most recognized and accomplished golfers ever, but he had to mount of the most memorable comebacks in history to claim his only U.S. Open. Trailing by 7 strokes entering the final round, Palmer shot a blistering 65 to hold off a hard charging amateur by the name of Jack Nicklaus. Ben Hogan faded with a 73 to finish at even par, 4 shots back. Palmer's 65 (including a 30 on the front nine) is widely remembered as one of the greatest final rounds in major championship history, and his comeback from 7 shots down proved there was a new era in golf. Hogan's reign had ended, Palmer's was king, and Nicklaus was just arriving. These great storylines coincided to give us one of the most memorable U.S. Opens ever.

Number 2

2000 - Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Golf Links; Pebble Beach, CA

In 2000 we saw the most dominant performance in the history of golf. For the entire year Tiger Woods lapped the field in the major championships and his victory at Pebble Beach was undoubtedly the most impressive victory anyone has ever seen. When not a single player broke par for the Championship, Woods finished at an amazing 12 under par, a full 15 shot clear of second place finisher Ernie Els. Conditions were brutal throughout the entire tournament, but somehow Woods was able to shoot 3 of 4 rounds in the 60's without a single round over par. He didn't miss a put under 8 feet for all 4 rounds and his aggregate score of 272 tied the lowest U.S. Open score ever. The 15 shot margin of victory will likely never be challenged. The numbers behind Tiger's victory are impressive, but his performance demoralized the entire tour and changed the way golf would be looked at from then on.

Number 1

2008 - Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines Golf Course; San Diego, CA

Unbeknownst to many, Tiger played the 2008 U.S. Open on a broken leg and a torn ACL. Only the champion that he is allowed him to compete let alone vie for the title. He shot a spectacular 30 on the back 9 during Saturday's round that catapulted him the lead. It included 2 eagles (one a 60 foot double breaking putt on the 18^th hole) and a chip in from deep rough. He stumbled out of the gate on Sunday however, double bogeying the first hole. After Rocco Mediate claimed the clubhouse lead one under par. Tiger needing a birdie on the 18^th hole to force a playoff hit his approach to 12 feet and curled in the putt to a raucous eruption of cheers. U.S. Open regulations require an 18-hole playoff, so both Mediate and Woods came back on Monday for the conclusion. After woods took a commanding 3 shot lead after 10 holes, the etcher was all but ready to engrave Tiger's name on the trophy. Mediate battled back however and Woods needed another birdie on the 18^th hole to extend the match again. Mediate failed to get up and down on the 1^st sudden death playoff hole and Woods made par to claim the 2008 title. It was an improbably victory and Woods' grittiest and most determined performance. He proved he could win golf's toughest challenge on one leg.

All data collected from www.usga.org