In 1914, the U.S. Open golf championship witnessed a remarkable performance by 21-year-old Walter Hagen, who secured the first of his two U.S. Open titles. This victory, held at the Midlothian Country Club in Midlothian, Illinois, marked a significant milestone in Hagen's career, becoming the first of his eleven major championships. His triumph was characterized by several record-setting achievements and a dramatic finish that solidified his place
in golf history.
Hagen's campaign began with an impressive display, as he opened the tournament by setting a new U.S. Open record with a score of 68. This initial round placed him a stroke ahead of the defending champion, Francis Ouimet, immediately establishing his dominance. His consistent play continued through the early stages of the tournament, allowing him to maintain a strong position at the top of the leaderboard.
Maintaining the Lead and Facing Challengers
After 36 holes, Hagen held a one-shot lead over Tom McNamara. He then extended this advantage to a two-stroke lead over McNamara heading into the final round, with Ouimet trailing by three shots. However, both McNamara and Ouimet struggled in the final round, posting scores of 83 and 78 respectively, which caused them to fall back from contention. This left amateur Chick Evans as the primary challenger capable of catching Hagen.
Evans mounted a strong charge, recording a 141 over the final 36 holes, which itself set a new U.S. Open record for that stretch, though this record would be broken just two years later. Despite Evans's impressive performance, he ultimately fell short. On the 18th hole, Evans needed a two to tie Hagen, but his chip from the edge of the green did not quite reach its target, leaving him one stroke behind.
A Dramatic Finish and Unmatched Consistency
The climax of the tournament saw Hagen deliver a truly historic performance on the 18th hole. For the fourth consecutive round, Hagen birdied the 18th hole. This feat of consistency on the final hole remains unmatched by any U.S. Open champion before or since, highlighting his composure and skill under pressure. This final birdie secured his victory by a single stroke over Evans, with a total score of 290 (+2).
Hagen's win was not just a personal triumph but also a notable event in the history of the U.S. Open. His wire-to-wire victory in 1914 is one of only nine occasions where a golfer has led wire-to-wire in the U.S. Open, a testament to his sustained excellence throughout the competition. This remarkable achievement solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor and marked the beginning of a legendary career in golf.
