The 1919 US Open

The World War I outbreak caused one of the gaps in US Open history. (The second occurred during WWII.) In 1917 and 1918, no championships were held due to the war. Brae Burn Country Club in West Newton, Mass. hosted the 1919 US Open, as it was the club scheduled to hold the 1917 Open.

Due to the break, the USGA chose to discard qualifying rounds and let all 130 entrants compete. With this larger amount of players, the first two rounds were spread over two days.

The competition was intense, and it came down to two players fighting for the title. After 54 holes, the local favorite Mike Brady was five shots ahead of Walter Hagen. Brady had to crumble during the final round for Hagen to have a chance, and that is precisely what happened. After shooting 80 in his final round, Brady had to wait as Hagen finished his round. Hagen needed to post a one-over par or better in the final nine holes to catch Brady. At the 72nd hole, Hagen had a ten-footer to win the title, but watched as his ball stayed out. The 18-hole playoff round was to be held the following day.


Playoff between Hagen and Brady at Brae Burn Country Club
1919

Rumor had it that Hagen partied heavily the night before the playoff. He arrived at Brae Burn just in time for tee off, and fell behind Brady on the first hole. Brady's lead only lasted a short while as he hooked the second hole tee shot. Hagen won the playoff by one shot, making this his second US Open Victory (he won his first in 1914).

Scotsman Willie Chisholm managed to set a different kind of record at the 1919 Open. After being stuck in a rocky ravine on the Par 3 8th, it took him 18 shots and over 30 minutes to make it into the hole. His unfortunate record would stand until 1938, when Ray Ainsely scored a 19 at Cherry Hills.


US Open replica trophy in the Brandenburg Museum at Cinnabar Hills