U.S. Open: Ranking the 25 Most Dominant Performances in History
By Bill Felber
No. 21-25
25. Scott Simpson, 1987, Olympic Club, -2.56
24. Bobby Jones, 1930, Interlachen, -2.57
23. Tommy Bolt, 1958, Southern Hills, -2.59
22. Jim Barnes, 1921, Columbia CC,-2.65
21. Retief Goosen, 2004, Shinnecock Hills, -2.66
Because it constituted the third leg of Jones’ Grand Slam, his 1930 victory at Interlachen is one of the most famous chapters in U.S. Open history. Thanks to a third round 68, Jones actually entered the final 18 holes with a five-stroke advantage on Harry Cooper; his final 75 was good enough for a two-stroke win over Macdonald Smith.
Barnes is only occasionally recalled today, but he was a multi-major champion. In 1921 he destroyed a field that included Jones, Walter Hagen and Chick Evans, shooting 289 to beat Hagen and Fred McLeod by nine strokes.
Bolt is best-remembered for his volcanic temper, but he contained it well enough to overcome the Tulsa heat and beat Gary Player by four strokes. Asked afterward how he did it, Bolt pulled a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous Serenity Prayer from the bill of his cap and showed it to reporters.
Locked in a close battle, Simpson birdied the 14th through 16, then saved par on 17 to hold off Tom Watson by a stroke.
Goosen’s Shinnecock win was his second; he also triumphed at Southern Hills in 2001. He survived a brutal final round where the average score was 78.7, recording a 71 to outlast Phil Mickelson by two strokes.