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2020 Virtual U.S. Open: The favorites to win at Winged Foot

By Bill Felber

FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: A statue of Ben Hogan is seen near the clubhouse during the final round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial at the Colonial Country Club on May 27, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: A statue of Ben Hogan is seen near the clubhouse during the final round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial at the Colonial Country Club on May 27, 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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Selection of wood-shafted clubs, 1910-35. From left to right: mashie niblick; mid iron c1914; lady’s mashie, cleek  c1910; lady’s mashie niblick, c1920s; mashie. (Photo by Sarah Fabian-Baddiel/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Selection of wood-shafted clubs, 1910-35. From left to right: mashie niblick; mid iron c1914; lady’s mashie, cleek  c1910; lady’s mashie niblick, c1920s; mashie. (Photo by Sarah Fabian-Baddiel/Heritage Images/Getty Images) /

Willie Anderson, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905 (1897-1906), -1.64

Anderson was a fun-loving, high-living Scot who came to the United States to take advantage of the growing popularity of the game he grew up playing. It was a sensational career move; in a mere five-year span Anderson became a U.S. Open champion, then the first two-time champion, then the first three-time champion, and finally the first four-time champion.

Had his dissolute personal ways not quickly caught up with him, Anderson might be far better known today for what he was: the American game’s first superstar. But in 1910 Anderson, barely 31, died, apparently of alcohol-induced epilepsy. The specific cause is a matter of historical dispute, but there’s little doubt that Anderson’s high-living made him a candidate for health issues.

For five years, Anderson dominated the game in a fashion that anticipated all the greats who would follow him. After defeating Alex Smith in a playoff to win his first title at Myopia in 1901, he beat David Brown in a playoff for the 1903 title at Baltusrol.

At Glen View one year later, Anderson became the first player to successfully defend his Open title, sailing home five shots ahead of the field, his final round 72 matching the lowest score in tournament history to that date.

Back at Myopia in 1905, Anderson trailed Alex Smith through three rounds but caught and passed him down the stretch to win by two.

Four victories within a five-season span will get you ranked among the tournament favorites.

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