Eight champions have won the US Open at Oakmont Country Club, each showing skill and patience on one of golf’s toughest courses. Oakmont Country Club has a long history with the US Open championship, hosting the tournament 8 times beginning in 1927 and producing many memorable winners over the years.
From Johnny Miller’s famous 63 in 1973 to Dustin Johnson’s victory in 2016, the list of champions at Oakmont reads like a Hall of Fame roster. These golfers faced fast greens, deep bunkers, and high pressure from fierce competition.
Each champion’s win at Oakmont tells a different story, but every victory highlights the demanding test this course presents at the US Open.
Overview of Oakmont Country Club’s US Open Legacy
Oakmont Country Club is one of the most iconic venues in golf history. With a unique design, it has played a major role in shaping the outcome of multiple US Open championships.
Historical Significance of Oakmont
Oakmont Country Club, located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, opened in 1903. It is recognized as one of the founding courses of American championship golf. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has selected Oakmont to host the US Open nine times, more than almost any other club.
Oakmont’s history includes championship wins by some of the sport’s biggest names. Legends like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Johnny Miller have each claimed important victories here. Oakmont has also hosted other major championships, including the PGA Championship and US Women’s Open, adding to its historic status.
Oakmont stands out because of its tradition of challenging the world’s best players. Each event played here is remembered for the skill and endurance shown by the winners under tough conditions.
Notable Course Features and Challenges
Oakmont is known for its fast, sloping greens, deep bunkers, and tough fairways. The club’s bunkers, especially the famous Church Pews bunker, test even the top golfers. The greens are among the quickest in the world, often reaching speeds that demand precision on every stroke.
The course features 210 bunkers and very little water, relying instead on smart design for difficulty. Oakmont’s narrow fairways require careful planning off the tee. Players often talk about the need for accuracy and patience, as errors are quickly punished.
These features have created memorable moments and defined the US Open experience at Oakmont.
Eight Recent US Open Champions at Oakmont
Oakmont Country Club has hosted the U.S. Open many times and is known for its challenging course conditions. The players who claim the US Open trophy here have shown great skill and determination, often enduring tough scoring environments. Here is more information about how to watch and picks to win it this year.
Winners and Years
Oakmont has seen eight different champions win the US Open since 1927. Each winner faced different weather and course setups, adding to the challenge. Below is a list of champions and the years they won at Oakmont:
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Tommy Armour |
| 1935 | Sam Parks Jr. |
| 1953 | Ben Hogan |
| 1962 | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1973 | Johnny Miller |
| 1983 | Larry Nelson |
| 1994 | Ernie Els |
| 2016 | Dustin Johnson |
Some winners, like Nicklaus and Hogan, are famous for multiple championships. Miller’s win is especially noted because he shot a record-breaking final round.
US Open Scoring Highlights
Scoring at Oakmont is usually difficult, with winning scores often close to par. In 1973, Johnny Miller’s 63 in the final round set a major championship record. The 2016 champion, Dustin Johnson, finished at 4-under-par for a one-shot victory.
Ben Hogan’s 1953 win came with a total of 283, while Jack Nicklaus won in a playoff at 1-under-par in 1962. Ernie Els captured his first US Open title in 1994, winning at even-par. These scores show how demanding Oakmont can be for even the best golfers.
Memorable US Open Individual Champions at Oakmont
Oakmont Country Club has seen great performances by some of the world’s top golfers. These champions set major milestones and delivered wins that golf fans still talk about today.
Ben Hogan’s US Open Victory
Ben Hogan’s win at Oakmont in 1953 is one of the club’s most celebrated moments. Hogan shot a total score of 283 and finished six strokes ahead of Sam Snead. His steady play and powerful driving gave him a huge advantage on one of golf’s hardest courses.
This victory was part of Hogan’s amazing season, where he also won the Masters and The Open Championship. Hogan overcame severe injuries from a car crash only four years earlier. Many remember his remarkable focus and careful planning on every shot.
He set a high standard for future major champions at Oakmont. Hogan’s 1953 UUS Open title is a key part of golf history.
Jack Nicklaus US Open Triumph
Jack Nicklaus’s 1962 US Open win at Oakmont was his first major title as a professional. He was only 22 years old and played against Arnold Palmer, one of the most popular golfers of the era.
The tournament went to an 18-hole playoff after Nicklaus and Palmer tied at 283. Nicklaus won the playoff by three strokes, finishing with an even-par 71. He went on to win 18 majors, but this win marked the start of his incredible career.
Nicklaus’s victory in front of a mostly pro-Palmer crowd showed his mental strength. He proved he could win under pressure against golf’s biggest stars.
Ernie Els’ US Open Performance
Ernie Els won the 1994 US Open at Oakmont, claiming his first major championship at the age of 24. Els won after an 18-hole playoff and a sudden-death tiebreaker against Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie.
The final round and playoff were tense, as scores remained close the entire time. Els impressed both fans and experts with his cool focus and long, smooth swing.
He became the first South African to win the US Open since Gary Player. Els’s performance began his journey as a major champion, and he would go on to win more major titles in his career.
Dramatic US Open Finishes and Playoffs at Oakmont
Oakmont has seen some of the most tense moments in US Open history. Several champions needed extra holes or clutch putting to claim their titles, showing the course’s difficulty and pressure.
Playoff Showdowns
Oakmont was the site of three memorable playoffs among its last eight champions. In 1962, Jack Nicklaus defeated Arnold Palmer in an 18-hole playoff, winning by three strokes. This victory marked Nicklaus’s first major championship.
In 1973, Johnny Miller set a record with a final-round 63, but he did not need a playoff; the drama came from his birdie run. 1994 saw Ernie Els win after a 20-hole playoff against Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie, showing how stamina can decide the trophy.
The 1983 US Open forced Larry Nelson and Tom Watson into a playoff, with Nelson staying steady under pressure. Oakmont’s tough layout often leads to these extended battles, as players struggle to separate themselves.
Crucial Putts and Three-Putt Stories
Putting often determines the winner at Oakmont. In 2007, Ángel Cabrera closed with a steady par, watching contenders three-putt away their own chances. The famous Oakmont greens punish mistakes, especially late in the round.
In 1994, Ernie Els survived huge pressure putts during the playoff, recovering from a three-putt on the 18th that could have cost him the title. In 1983, Tom Watson suffered critical misses on the greens, allowing Larry Nelson to win.
Birdies are rare but game-changing. Johnny Miller’s birdie binge in 1973 let him leap ahead, but missed birdie tries have decided other tournaments. Oakmont’s fast, sloping greens amplify every miss and make clutch putts essential.
US Open Records Set at Oakmont
Oakmont Country Club has seen several important records during its history as a US Open host.
In 1973, Johnny Miller set a tournament record with a final-round score of 63. This was the lowest single-round score in US Open history at the time.
In 1927, Tommy Armour won with a total score of 301, which was among the highest winning scores ever at Oakmont. The course has always been known for its high difficulty.
Oakmont is also remembered for its fast greens. In 1983, the greens were measured at over 14 on the Stimpmeter, making them some of the fastest in championship golf.
Major Oakmont US Open Records
| Year | Player | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Johnny Miller | 63 (final round) |
| 1983 | Larry Nelson | Fastest greens recorded |
| 1927 | Tommy Armour | High winning score |
Several champions at Oakmont have won by just one stroke. The club has witnessed more playoff finishes than most other US Open venues.
Other notable moments include Ben Hogan’s fourth US Open win in 1953 and Jack Nicklaus’s first professional victory in 1962 after an 18-hole playoff against Arnold Palmer.
Here is some additional history about Oakmont’s past champions.
A History Of The US Open At Oakmont CC