1903 U.S. Open (golf)

1903 U.S. Open

Tournament information
Dates	June 26–29, 1903
Location	Springfield, New Jersey
Course(s)	Baltusrol Golf Club Old Course (no longer exists)
Organized by	USGA
Format	Stroke play − 72 holes
Statistics
Length	6,003 yards (5,489 m)
Field	85
Cut	none
Winner's share	$200
Champion
Willie Anderson
307
«1902 1904»

Baltusrol GC

Location in the United States

The 1903 U.S. Open was the ninth U.S. Open, held June 26–29 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, west of New York City. Willie Anderson won his second U.S. Open title in a playoff over David Brown. The championship was played on the original course at Baltusrol, now known as the Old Course, which no longer exists.

Anderson and Brown both posted a 307 total, eight-strokes clear of the field. The playoff, moved to Monday because Sunday was reserved for member play, was played in a heavy rainstorm. Anderson took a two-stroke lead at the turn, but Brown managed to tie after 14. Brown made a 7 on the 15th after his tee shot went out of bounds, but Anderson was only able to gain a single stroke after three-putting for a 6. At 16 Brown made a 6 to Anderson's 5, and Anderson finished with 4s on the last two holes for an 82, two-shots ahead of Brown.

Anderson became the first golfer to win the U.S. Open twice. This win was the first in a run of three consecutive Open titles, a feat unmatched before or since in tournament history. Anderson's four U.S. Open titles remains tied for the tournament record.

Donald Ross, who would become known as one of the greatest golf course architects, designing several courses that hosted future U.S. Opens, had his best U.S. Open finish with a 5th place showing. Baseball Hall of Famer John Montgomery Ward played in his first of two U.S. Opens here, finishing in 56th place.

The Old Course at Baltusrol hosted the U.S. Open again a dozen years later in 1915, then was plowed under three years later in 1918 by course architect A. W. Tillinghast to create the Upper and Lower Courses.

Final leaderboard

Saturday, June 27, 1903

Place	Player	Country	Score	Money ($)
T1	Willie Anderson	Scotland	73-76-76-82=307	Playoff
	David Brown	Scotland	79-77-75-76=307
3	Stewart Gardner	Scotland	77-77-82-79=315	125
4	Alex Smith	Scotland	77-77-81-81=316	100
5	Donald Ross	Scotland	79-79-78-82=318	80
6	Jack Campbell	Scotland	76-83-83-77=319	70
7	Laurie Auchterlonie	Scotland	75-79-84-83=321	50
8	Findlay Douglas (a)	Scotland	77-79-82-84=322	0
T9	Jack Hobens	Scotland	76-81-82-84=323	33
	Alex Ross	Scotland	83-82-78-80=323
	Willie Smith	Scotland	80-81-83-79=323

(a) denotes amateur

Playoff

Monday, June 29, 1903

Place	Player	Country	Score	Money ($)
1	Willie Anderson	Scotland	82	200
2	David Brown	Scotland	84	150

External links

• 1903 U.S. Open
• USGA Championship Database