The U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for a fourth time in 2024.
The first three were staged there in 1999, 2005 and 2014, and while it’s been 10 years since the last one, the venue is on tap to host again four more times: 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. This is a result of the USGA declaring Pinehurst an anchor site in 2020.
Each of the three championships was unique, with a varied cast of winners. Of those three, only one is back this time around.
The 1999 championship is still talked about and was memorialized with a statue by the champion. The 2005 winner made the U.S. Open his one and only PGA Tour win. The 2014 champ routed the field, setting a few tournament records along the way.
After this event, there will only be eight courses that have hosted more U.S. Opens.
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Here now is a look at the three winners of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Payne Stewart celebrates after winning 1999 U.S. Open.
Payne Stewart claimed the ’99 Open title after draining a 15-foot par putt to beat Phil Mickelson by a shot at 1 under, the only golfer in red numbers that year. Stewart actually trailed by a shot with two to go. Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods tied for third with Steve Stricker finishing solo fifth.
Stewart died four months later in a plane crash. In 2005, he was honored at Pinehurst with a large statue that recreates his iconic reaction after winning in 1999. Ahead of the 2024 Open, Pinehurst moved the statue to the venue’s main entrance.
Michael Campbell kisses the trophy after winning the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Michael Campbell was the lone golfer in red numbers after his final-round 69 in 2005, clinching his one and only major title. Campbell was the second golfer from New Zealand, following Bob Charles at the 1963 British Open, to win a major. Tiger Woods also shot a final-round 69 but a three-putt on the 17th hole proved costly, as Campbell would win by two shots. This proved to be his only PGA Tour victory.
Martin Kaymer celebrates after winning the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. (Photo: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
Martin Kaymer was the eighth, and the most recent, wire-to-wire winner at a U.S. Open. He holds the record for lowest 36-hole total (130) and his tied for third for lowest 54-hole total (202). Only three golfers produced a larger margin of victory than Kaymer’s eight shots…
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