What Is the ‘U.S. Open’ in Golf?

“The U.S. Open” is the national championship of golf in the United States and is widely considered the toughest test in golf.

It is one of the four Grand Slams, played every year in June.

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The “Hardest” Major

If The Masters is about beauty and tradition, the U.S. Open is about survival.

• The Setup: The organizers (the USGA) purposely set up the course to be brutally difficult. The grass (rough) is grown long and thick, the fairways are narrow, and the greens are lightning-fast.
• The Score: In most tournaments, the winner is -20 under par. In the U.S. Open, the winner is often just Even Par. It is a mental and physical grind where par is a great score.

Key Facts to Know:

1. Organizer: The USGA (United States Golf Association).
2. Location: Unlike The Masters (always at Augusta), the U.S. Open moves to a different iconic American course every year (like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, or Oakmont).
3. The Field: It is truly an “Open.” About half the players are exempt pros (the stars), but the other half have to earn their spot through grueling qualifying tournaments. Theoretically, a local club pro or amateur could qualify and play against Tiger Woods.