1915 U.S. Open (golf)

1915 U.S. Open
Travers with the winner's cup
Tournament information
DatesJune 17−18, 1915
LocationSpringfield, New Jersey
Course(s)Baltusrol Golf Club
Old Course (no longer exists)
Organized byUSGA
FormatStroke play − 72 holes
Statistics
Par74
Length6,212 yards (5,680 m)[1]
Field66 players
Winner's share($300)
Champion
United States Jerome Travers (a)
297 (+1)
← 1914
1916 →
Baltusrol  is located in the United States
Baltusrol 
Baltusrol 
Baltusrol  is located in New Jersey
Baltusrol 
Baltusrol 
Walter Hagen
Mike Brady
Tom McNamara

The 1915 U.S. Open was the 21st U.S. Open, held June 17–18 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, west of New York City. Four-time U.S. Amateur champion Jerome Travers captured his only U.S. Open title, one stroke ahead of runner-up Tom McNamara.[1] The championship was played on the original course at Baltusrol, now known as the Old Course, which no longer exists.

Future U.S. Open champions Jim Barnes and Chick Evans shared the first round lead, with Travers five behind. After a 72 in the second round, Travers pulled to within two-shots of leaders Barnes and Louis Tellier.[2]

Travers took the lead in the third round with a 73, a shot ahead of Barnes, Tellier, Bob MacDonald, and Mike Brady, with McNamara two behind. MacDonald shot a 78 in the final round to finish in third, while Barnes and Tellier both shot 79 to finish in fourth. McNamara posted a 75 to total 298 as Travers made the turn at 39, and needed a 37 on the back-nine to win the title. His drive at the 10th went out of bounds, while his second shot found the rough. His third shot cleared the water surrounding the green and settled less than three feet (0.9 m) from the hole. He managed to save par with a 15-footer (4.5 m) at the 11th, three-putted for bogey at the 12th, but then made a birdie at 15. Pars over the final three holes saw him finish with a 76 and a 297 total.[3]

Shortly after this win, Travers announced his retirement from competitive golf and never played in the U.S. Open again.

Defending champion Walter Hagen finished nine strokes back, in a tie for tenth place.

The Old Course at Baltusrol was plowed under three years later in 1918 by course architect A. W. Tillinghast to create the Upper and Lower Courses.

  1. ^ a b Hinckley, Rockwell (June 19, 1915). "Golf". Milwaukee Journal. p. 6.
  2. ^ Smith, Harry C. (June 18, 1915). "Eastern pros tie for lead in golf meet". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 12.
  3. ^ Smith, Harry C. (June 19, 1915). "Travers wins golf classic at Baltusrol". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 10.