2000 U.S. Open (golf)

2000 U.S. Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 15–18, 2000
LocationPebble Beach, California
Course(s)Pebble Beach Golf Links
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)PGA Tour
European Tour
Japan Golf Tour
Statistics
Par71
Length6,846 yards (6,260 m)[1]
Field156 players, 63 after cut
Cut149 (+7)
Prize fund$4,500,000
4,723,908
Winner's share$800,000
€839,806[2]
Champion
United States Tiger Woods
272 (−12)
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2001 →
Pebble Beach Golf Links is located in the United States
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach Golf Links

The 2000 United States Open Championship was the 100th U.S. Open Championship, held June 15–18 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California. Tiger Woods won his first U.S. Open by a record-setting fifteen strokes over runners-up Ernie Els and Miguel Ángel Jiménez – it remains the most dominating performance and victory in any major championship. As the United States Golf Association wanted to begin the millennium with a memorable tournament, Pebble Beach was moved up two years in the rotation.[3] Notable golfers going into the tournament at large included Jack Nicklaus, playing in his final U.S. Open; Vijay Singh, the year's Masters winner; Ernie Els; and David Duval.

Defending champion Payne Stewart had died in an aviation accident on October 25 the previous year at the age of 42. His death was commemorated many times throughout the week, starting with a ceremony on the eve of the tournament at the 18th hole. Speakers included Stewart's widow Tracey and his good friend Paul Azinger, while attendees included Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, David Duval, Tom Lehman, Lee Janzen, Sergio García and Stewart's caddy Mike Hicks, and it concluded with shots being hit into Stillwater Cove in a golf version of a 21-gun salute.[4] García also wore Stewart's trademark navy plus fours in Stewart's honor in the first round.[5] Nicklaus was asked to take Stewart's spot in the traditional opening grouping of the prior year's Open Championship (British Open) winner (Paul Lawrie), U.S. Amateur winner (David Gossett), and U.S. Open winner, and he asked for a moment of silence in Stewart's memory before his opening tee shot.[6]

Aside from being the last U.S. Open appearance for Nicklaus, playing in his 44th consecutive U.S. Open, it was also the last appearance for two-time winner Curtis Strange.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference usgapb09 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "U.S. Open Championship". European Tour. June 18, 2000. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  3. ^ "U.S. Open Reaches it's [sic] Centenary". Golf Today (UK). Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "'We love you Payne': Stewart honored at Pebble Beach with 21-ball salute". CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. June 15, 2000. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  5. ^ "U.S. Open Report". Golf Today (UK). Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  6. ^ 2000 U.S. Open Film: "Tiger's Roar" United States Golf Association on YouTube (produced and originally broadcast by NBC)