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| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 13–16, 1996 |
| Location | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
| Course(s) | Oakland Hills Country Club South Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 70 |
| Length | 6,974 yards (6,377 m) |
| Field | 156 players, 108 after cut |
| Cut | 148 (+8) |
| Prize fund | $2.4 million |
| Winner's share | $425,000 |
| Champion | |
 Steve Jones | |
| 278 (−2) | |
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The 1996 U.S. Open was the 96th U.S. Open, held June 13–16 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb northwest of Detroit. Steve Jones won his only major title, one stroke ahead of runners-up Tom Lehman and Davis Love III.[1][2][3][4][5]
Jones went through an incredible journey just to get to Oakland Hills. He had won four PGA Tour events, the last in 1989, but in November 1991 he was involved in a dirt bike accident that threatened to end his career. He separated his shoulder and sprained an ankle, as well as suffering ligament damage in his left ring finger.[1][4] Jones was sidelined for three years, not making it back on tour until 1994. His win here came in his first U.S. Open since 1991, and he was the first champion to go through sectional qualifying since tour rookie Jerry Pate in 1976.[4] After this win, Jones won three additional events on tour.
This was the eighth major championship at the South Course, which previously hosted the U.S. Open in 1924, 1937, 1951, 1961, and 1985, and the PGA Championship in 1972 and 1979. It later hosted the PGA Championship in 2008.
It was Lehman's third close call in a major (1994 Masters, 1995 U.S. Open);[4] he regrouped and won the next, The Open Championship in England. Love won the PGA Championship the following year at Winged Foot.
- ^ a b Sirak, Ron (June 17, 1996). "Virtual unknown Steve Jones tames 'The Monster'". Tuscaloosa News. (Alabama). Associated Press. p. 1B.
- ^ Dorman, Larry (June 17, 1996). "Inspired Jones claims U.S. Open title". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (New York Times). p. C1.
- ^ Bonk, Thomas (June 17, 1996). "Stellar field humbled by a man named Jones". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). (Los Angeles Times). p. 1B.
- ^ a b c d Reilly, Rick (June 24, 1996). "Dear Mr. Hogan,". Sports Illustrated. p. 38.
- ^ Parascenzo, Marino (June 17, 1996). "Steve who?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. B-1.