U.S. Open: Ranking the 25 Most Dominant Performances in History
By Bill Felber
No. 16-20
20. Michael Campbell, 2005, Pinehurst, -2.68
19. Larry Nelson, 1983, Oakmont, -2.69
18. David Graham, 1981, Merion, -2.70
17. Gene Sarazen, 1932, Fresh Meadow, -2.72
16. Alex Smith, 1906, Onwentsia, -2.73
Smith was a member of the first dominant family of American golf. He also won the U.S. Open in 1910. His brother Willie won the 1899 U.S. Open, and his youngest brother, Macdonald, won 24 PGA tour events.
Sarazen’s 1932 victory at Fresh Meadow was his second. He would go on to win the British Open title that same summer, and having already claimed two PGA wins completed the career grand slam by winning the 1935 Masters.
Graham trailed George Burns by three strokes entering the final round in 1981, but lit up that Sunday with a 67 to pull away and win by three.
Nelson’s 1983 victory was a true come-from-behind story. .Six shots behind Tom Watson through 36 holes, he finished with rounds of 65-67 beat Watson by a stroke. His 132 is the record for the low final two rounds in U.S. Open history.
Campbell’s 2005 victory is among the least likely in tour history, and not merely because it’s the only PGA Tour event he ever won. Campbell held off Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia to win it, maintaining a two-stroke advantage over Woods down the stretch.