The US Open is, without the slightest doubt, one of the most important golf tournaments in the world and one of the four majors that are held throughout the year. Over a century old, this championship is organised by the United States Golf Association and usually takes place the third Sunday of June.
Tournament inscription
As the name implies, the tournament is open to any golfer, either professional or amateur, who has a handicap index of 1.4. Depending on the number of entries, the player will or won’t have to pass a qualifying round, except for invited professionals who enter the contest thanks to their achievements that year.
In case you’d like to train, Costa del Sol is, thanks to its weather conditions, the best place for an intensive practice during the year.
How to win a place
If you’re seriously considering participating, you should know qualifying can be really hard. This round is divided in two phases:
- Local qualifying phase, with 18 holes in different golf courses in the US. Not all participants have to play this phase, as some go directly to the final stage.
- The final phase, 36 holes played in different courses in the US, one in Europe and one in Japan.
Information about the competition
One more year, the tournament will be held at Oakmont Country Club, Pa., 13-19 June. Tickets are still available.
As we mentioned above, this is one of the most expected golf events of the year and multitude of benefits are granted to the winner, who is automatically invited to the other three majors for five years and guaranteed a place in the next 10 US Open. In addition, he is invited to play PGA Tour and The Players for five seasons.
Special mention to economic prizes: last year, Jordan Spieth pocketed no less that 1,8 million dollars as winner of the competition.
Interesting facts about US Open
- There are no age limits. In 2006, Tadd Fujikawa (Hawaii) qualified at the age of 15.
- The oldest winner was Hale Irwin at the age of 45 while the youngest was John McDermott, being only nineteen at the time.
- A player from Málaga, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, took second place in this tournament in 2000.
- Oakmont Country Club has hosted the US Open more times than any other course.
