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1908 U.S. Open (golf)

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Dates
  
August 27–29, 1908

Organized by
  
USGA

Field
  
84, 48 after cut

Course(s)
  
Myopia Hunt Club

Format
  
Stroke play − 72 holes

1908 U.S. Open (golf)

Location
  
South Hamilton, Massachusetts

The 1908 U.S. Open was the 14th U.S. Open, held August 27–29 at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, northeast of Boston. Fred McLeod defeated 1899 champion Willie Smith in an 18-hole playoff to win his only major title.

Contents

High winds on Thursday caused scores in the first two rounds to soar, with only two players managing to break 80. Willie Smith carded rounds of 77-82 for a three-stroke lead over Myopia club pro John Jones, with brother Alec Smith four back and Fred McLeod five behind.

On Friday, Smith struggled to an 85 in the third round in the morning but still held the lead by one over McLeod and two over Alex. In the final round that afternoon, McLeod tied for lowest score of the tournament by carding a 77, while Smith managed a 78 to force a playoff.

In the playoff on Saturday, McLeod and Smith were even through 13 holes, but McLeod took the lead at the 14th after Smith missed a par putt. McLeod dominated the rest of the way, going 1-under on the last five holes to shoot a 77 to Smith's 83. McLeod only broke 80 in one round of the tournament, while Smith and Gilbert Nicholls were the only players to shoot in the 70s twice. The winning score of 322 was the third-highest in U.S. Open history.

Final leaderboard

Friday, August 28, 1908

Playoff

Saturday, August 29, 1908

References

1908 U.S. Open (golf) Wikipedia