The U.S. Open returns to Olympic Club in a couple weeks – a venue where Dan Jenkins believes the wrong man has always won. With the exception of Billy Casper beating Arnie in 1966, I have to agree with his assessment. Mr. Casper is a Hall of Famer with 51 tour wins, the others will never make it there. But that’s golf, and the Open. Fleck beat Hogan in a playoff in 1955 thanks to heaven sent putting down the stretch, Casper beat Palmer in a playoff, coming from 7 down on the back nine Sunday to tie, shooting a 32 – the stuff of champions. Scott Simpson beat my man Tom Watson in 1987 with an unbelievable up and down from the sand late Sunday, and Lee Janzen beat Paine Stewart in 1998. It was their time. Golf doesn’t care that they aren’t among the game’s greats. Neither were Joe Lloyd in 1897; Willie Macfarlane, who beat Bobby Jones in a playoff in 1925; Sam Parks in 1935; Tony Manero in 1936; Orville Moody in 1969; or Lou Graham in 1975. Andy North won two U.S. Opens and only one other tournament in his career. But for that week they were the best, and their names are on that trophy forever. So who will win this year? How about Mark Wilson in a four man playoff against Tiger, Phil, and Rory. Stranger things have happened. Just ask the spirit of Ben Hogan.
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LYLE SLOVICK HISTORICAL RESEARCH
"History - (Especially Golf) - Preserved and Shared"
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