The US Open

When the United States Golf Association held the first national championships in 1895, the Open consisted of 36 holes - four times around Newport's nine-hole course. Eleven players entered, and the winner won $150 and a gold medal. Since then the Open has become the ultimate challenge in golf.

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When the United States Golf Association held the first national championships in October of 1895, at Newport Golf Club, the main event was the US Amateur, won by Charles B. Macdonald, a founder of the USGA. The Open was held the next day. It consisted of 36 holes - four times around Newport's nine-hole course. Eleven players entered, and the winner, Horace Rawlins, won $150 and a gold medal. From these modest beginnings the Open has become one of the great sporting events in the world and the ultimate challenge in golf.