Coordinates: 42°20′17″N 71°13′59″W / 42.338°N 71.233°W / 42.338; -71.233

1919 U.S. Open (golf)

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1919 U.S. Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 9–12, 1919
LocationNewton, Massachusetts
Course(s)Brae Burn Country Club
Organized byUSGA
FormatStroke play − 72 holes
Statistics
Length6,435 yards (5,884 m)
Field131, 66 after cut
Cut170 (+28)
Prize fund$1,300
Winner's share$475
Champion
United States Walter Hagen
301 (+17)
← 1916
1920 →
Brae Burn CC is located in the United States
Brae Burn CC
Brae Burn CC
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Location in the United States
Brae Burn CC  is located in Massachusetts
Brae Burn CC 
Brae Burn CC 
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Location in Massachusetts

The 1919 U.S. Open was the 23rd U.S. Open held at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton, Massachusetts. The event is remembered as a duel between Mike Brady and Walter Hagen. Brady took the second and third rounds leads, the last of which was a five stroke lead over Hagen. However, Brady played poorly in the final round, shooting an 80, and Hagen took advantage, tying him. The following day's 18-hole playoff was again neck-and-neck but Brady failed to hole a birdie chip on the final hole and Hagen defeated him by one, 77 to 78.

Tournament summary

In January 1917, the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced that Brae Burn would host the 1917 U.S. Open.[1] However, the event had to be delayed two years due to World War I. In June 1919, Brae Burn held the 1919 U.S. Open. The event was intended to be played over the course of three days, from Monday, June 9 to Wednesday, June 11. Eighteen holes would be played the first two days each and the finale would be 36 holes long. The champion would win a gold medal and $500.[2] There were 135 players in the field: 110 professionals and 25 amateurs.[3] The top 64 and ties would make the cut.[4]

There was no clear-cut favorite to win the championship. Writing for The Boston Globe, D.J. McGuiness noted that, "There never has been a championship for the title for the past 10 years that the professionals were so much in doubt as to the winner."[5] An amateur, Chick Evans, was the defending champion and another amateur, the 1913 champion Francis Ouimet, was an additional favorite.[6] Ouimet himself thought that Evans and Jesse Guilford were the favorites among amateurs.[7] Ouimet also agreed that it was difficult to pick a favorite. "[T]here are too many skilled and proven players," he wrote, "both amateur and professional, for anyone to accurately forecast the result of big events like the 'Open.'"[7] John G. Anderson of the New York Herald concurred, stating in his column, "For the first time in many years there is no small group of two or three from whom to select as favorite as against the field."[5] Among professionals, McGuiness noted that Mike Brady and Walter Hagen were among the favorites.[8] The Globe writer also noted that former champions George Sargent, Alex Smith, and Fred McLeod could be near the top.[8] In addition, McGuiness thought that professionals like Jim Barnes, Tom McNamara, and Louis Tellier were expected to be top contenders.[8] Ouimet thought nine pros had a chance to win: Brady, Tellier, Barnes, Jock Hutchison, McNamara, Hagen, Tom Kerrigan, George Bowden, and Englishman James Douglas Edgar.[9]

The preparation of the event received an extraordinary amount of media coverage. On the opening day, The Boston Globe put its coverage for the event on its first page next to the top story, a report about President Wilson's diplomatic visit to France in the wake of World War I.[10] In the first round, Charlie Hoffner, from Philadelphia, took the lead with a 72 to tie the competitive course record, leading Louis Tellier and George Bowden by a stroke. Only 20 players broke 80.[11] Hoffner was considered "a dark horse" and his lead was a surprise.[12] However, Brady shot a second round 74 to take the midway lead by two over Hoffner.[13] Hoffner's round of 78 was potentially "affect[ed]" by "a large gallery" following him.[14] The New York Herald noted that Hagen shot "fine" golf of 73, nearly breaking the course record.[15] The Hartford Courant noted that Hagen, "shot rare golf today" which "put himself into a position from which it is possible for him to win."[16] He was still in a tie for third, three back.[16] Despite this, the following day, Brady shot a "fine 73 in the morning round," the third round, and "led the field by five well earned strokes."[17] Brady's round was the lowest of the third round.[18] Hagen was "his most formidable rival" at his point, shooting a 75, putting him four back.[17]

In the final round, 15,000 followed Hagen, "the largest golf that has ever watched a golf match in this country."[19] Brady "was unable to maintain the terrific clip" he possessed during the first three rounds.[19] He shot a 39 on the first nine and lost a stroke to Hagen.[19] The 10th hole, meanwhile, "proved to be the hole which cost Brady the match." He hit his second shot into a bunker and ultimately made 7. Hagen picked up two shots and the lead was down to two.[19] On the 15th hole, Brady "miss[ed] a putt which stopped on the rim of the cup" to lose another stroke. On the 16th, Brady's approach was stymied and he made 5. He fell into a tie.[19] He finished with two pars.[19] Hagen had a chance to win on the final hole.[19] He hit his approach to 10 feet.[19] The "confident" Hagen got his caddy to solicit Brady, then in the clubhouse, to the green so he could observe Hagen's winning putt.[20] However, his putt "[hit] the center of the cup" and then "jumped out." He made four and there would be a playoff the next day.[19] Hagen and Brady tied at 301.[19] They defeated the near competitors, Tom McNamara and Jock Hutchison, by five shots.[19] Chick Evans, the defending champion, was the low amateur, defeating Francis Ouimet by six strokes.[19]

The playoff generated a great deal of media coverage. It was the top story for The Boston Globe.[21] Newspapers in Britain reported on it.[22][23] Hagen was the "big favorite."[21] However, Brady "got off to a good start by scoring a 4 at the first hole" while Hagen scored a 5.[21] After five holes it was tied.[21] However, Hagen picked up two strokes at the 6th hole and another on the 9th to take a three-stroke lead at the turn.[21] Overall, Brady scored a 41 over the front nine, his worst of the tournament.[24] Brady then recorded a 6 on the 10th hole to fall four behind.[21] However, for the remainder of the round Brady "played the better golf of the two."[21] At the 11th, Hagen lost a stroke.[21] Brady reportedly told his caddy around this time, "They [the putts] will start breaking for me soon."[25] At the next two holes, Brady sank consecutive 15-foot putts.[21] This "brilliant work" reduced the lead to one.[21][24] On the par-3 17th hole, Hagen hit his tee shot astray. He was given five minutes to find the ball. Brady noticed an object in a bank of mud. Hagen was allowed to pick up the object which turned out to be his ball. An official controversially allowed Hagen to place his ball in the rough, where he would have an easier shot, rather than replace the ball into the bank of mud.[26] The lead remained one entering the final hole.[21] On the 18th, Hagen barely missed a brook with his drive, "half-topping" the shot.[21][25] However, with his approach he "recovered with a clean hit to just short of the green."[25] Brady hit a "perfect drive" but was unable to take advantage, missing the green with his approach.[21] Hagen hit his third shot to within 18 inches assuring par.[21] Brady needed to make his third shot to tie.[21] According to The Boston Globe, "There was not a sound as Brady took his stance."[21] He hit his chip shot "perfectly" with "the ball running to within three inches of the hole" but it barely missed. Hagen won by one, 77 to 78.[21] Hagen was the second two-time champion after John McDermott.[24] Brady finished runner-up for the second time, the first being at the 1911 U.S. Open, himself losing to McDermott, also in a playoff.[27]

Round summaries

First round

Monday, June 9, 1919

Place Player Score To par
1 United States Charles Hoffner 72 +1
T2 United States George Bowden 73 +2
France Louis Tellier
4 United States Mike Brady 74 +3
5 United States Francis Ouimet (a) 76 +5
T6 England Jim Barnes 77 +6
United States Chick Evans (a)
United States Otto Hackbarth
United States Tom Mulgrew
Scotland Alec Ross

Source:[11]

Second round

Tuesday, June 10, 1919

Place Player Score To par
1 United States Mike Brady 74-74=148 +6
2 United States Charles Hoffner 72-78=150 +8
T3 United States George Bowden 73-78=151 +9
United States Walter Hagen 78-73=151
France Louis Tellier 73-78=151
T6 Scotland John Cowan 79-74=153 +11
United States Chick Evans (a) 77-76=153
United States Tom McNamara 80-73=153
9 Scotland Jock Hutchison 78-76=154 +12
T10 England Jim Barnes 77-78=155 +13
Scotland Fred McLeod 78-77=155
United States Francis Ouimet (a) 76-79=155
Scotland Alec Ross 77-78=155

Source:[11]

Third round

Wednesday, June 11, 1919   (morning)

Place Player Score To par
1 United States Mike Brady 74-74-73=221 +8
2 United States Walter Hagen 78-73-75=226 +13
3 United States George Bowden 73-78-76=227 +14
4 Scotland John Cowan 79-74-75=228 +15
5 Scotland Jock Hutchison 78-76-76=230 +17
T6 United States George McLean 81-75-76=232 +19
United States Tom McNamara 80-73-79=232
8 France Louis Tellier 73-78-82=233 +20
T9 England Jim Barnes 77-78-79=234 +21
Scotland Fred McLeod 78-77-79=234

Source:[17]

Final round

Wednesday, June 11, 1919   (afternoon)

Place Player Score To par Money ($)
T1 United States Walter Hagen 78-73-75-75=301 +17 Playoff
United States Mike Brady 74-74-73-80=301
T3 Scotland Jock Hutchison 78-76-76-76=306 +22 118
United States Tom McNamara 80-73-79-74=306
T5 United States George McLean 81-75-76-76=308 +24 66
France Louis Tellier 73-78-82-75=308
7 Scotland John Cowan 79-74-75-81=309 +25 52
8 Scotland Fred McLeod 78-77-79-78=312 +28 42
T9 United States George Bowden 73-78-76-86=313 +29 33
United States Chick Evans (a) 77-76-82-78=313 0

Source:[19]

(a) denotes amateur

Playoff

Thursday, June 12, 1919

Place Player Score To par Money ($)
1 United States Walter Hagen 77 +6 475
2 United States Mike Brady 78 +7 237

Source:[28]

References

  1. ^ "Jan 21, 1917, page 32 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Jun 07, 1919, page 26 - Springfield Evening Union at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Jun 05, 1919, page 8 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jun 09, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Jun 09, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Jun 09, 1919, page 8 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "May 31, 1919, page 9 - Calgary Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Jun 09, 1919, page 8 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "May 31, 1919, page 9 - Calgary Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "Jun 09, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Jun 10, 1919, page 14 - The Springfield Daily Republican at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "Jun 10, 1919, page 18 - New York Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  13. ^ "Jun 11, 1919, page 18 - New York Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Jun 11, 1919, page 10 - Hartford Courant at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jun 11, 1919, page 18 - New York Herald at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Jun 11, 1919, page 10 - Hartford Courant at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Jun 12, 1919, page 16 - New-York Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  18. ^ "Jun 12, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Jun 12, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "Aug 12, 1928, page 11 - The Springfield Daily Republican at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Jun 12, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  22. ^ "Jun 13, 1919, page 14 - Daily Mirror at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "Jun 13, 1919, page 3 - Huddersfield Daily Examiner at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "Jun 13, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c "Jun 13, 1919, page 22 - The Springfield Union at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "Jun 11, 1970, page 34 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  27. ^ "Jun 13, 1919, page 14 - The Burlington Free Press at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  28. ^ "Jun 12, 1919, page 1 - The Boston Globe at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.

External links

42°20′17″N 71°13′59″W / 42.338°N 71.233°W / 42.338; -71.233

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