‘The hardest course I’ve ever played’: Hale Irwin reflects on 1974 U.S. Open win at Winged Foot | Golf Insider
As his final par putt went in the cup on June 16, 1974, Hale Irwin finally felt like he could win the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
“It truly was after the 72nd hole,” Irwin, the Colorado Buffaloes great, told The Denver Gazette. “I look back and I told myself early in the week, after a couple of practice rounds, that it was going to be a long, long slog.”
Irwin grew up in Boulder and was a star athlete in football and golf at Boulder High School. He graduated in 1963 and went on to play golf and football at the University of Colorado. He won the individual NCAA golf title in 1967.
Irwin is a three-time U.S. Open champion with additional wins in 1979 and 1990. But the win 50 years ago stands out due to the tournament being dubbed the “Massacre at Winged Foot.”
This year’s U.S. Open tees off Thursday at Pinehurst (N.C.) No. 2 with Colorado native Wyndham Clark as the defending champion.
The 79-year-old Irwin won the 1974 tournament at 7-over par, which tied for the second-highest winning score since 1935. Julius Boros won the 1963 U.S. Open at The Country Club at Brookline at 9-over. In comparison, Clark won last year at Los Angeles Country Club with a score of 10-under.
The last winner over par was Brooks Koepka in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills. He finished 1-over.
“I got to Winged Foot and you’ve got greens that are really firm and they’re already fast and you know they’re going to get firmer or faster as we can progress,” Irwin said. “But more than anything, the rough was so brutally deep. I’m really not exaggerating. I’d say that the rough was anywhere from 6-to-12 inches long.
“If you got the ball in there, and if you could find it, it was virtually impossible to get to the green.”
Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course) in Mamaroneck, N.Y., has hosted the U.S. Open six times. The five other winners include Bobby Jones as an amateur in 1929, Billy Casper in 1959, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1984, Geoff Ogilvy in 2006 and Bryson DeChambeau in 2020.
Irwin was the third-round leader in 1984 before faltering. In 2006, Phil Mickelson was on top for most of the final round before collapsing on the 71st and 72nd holes. DeChambeau overpowered the course in 2020 for a six-stroke victory with limited fans.
“When Bryson won, I remember watching on television thinking I don’t recognize some of these holes,” Irwin said. “Guys were hitting in the rough. They’re knocking it out there 9 miles. But when they are in the rough, they take some sort of wedge and drop short of the green. It rolls up. You couldn’t do that in ’74.”
Irwin felt the course was even different 10 years later when the U.S. Open returned to Winged Foot in 1984. Nothing seemed as difficult as the layout in 1974.
“The hardest course I’ve ever played where weather wasn’t an issue,” he said. “You are not going to make it pretty because there are no birdie holes. You know that every hole could be a bogey or more.”
And the biggest putts at a U.S. Open are often for par.
“A lot of times (par putts) keep you on track and it kind of solidifies the fact that a lot of times the U.S. Open is not easy,” Irwin said.
While the U.S. Open is known for being tough, it was not the year before the “Massacre at Winged Foot.” In 1973, Johnny Miller won at Oakmont with a blistering 63 in the final round. There has been talk that Winged Foot was made difficult because of Miller’s low round.
“I’m not going to say that they’re right or wrong because we don’t know,” Irwin said. “It’s never has been admitted by the USGA. I do think that going back to ’73 and Johnny played a really, really good tournament. He deserved to win. We did have a thunderstorm on Saturday at night, so it really softened the greens. Johnny was a good iron player, so he could throw those irons in there and they would stop.”
Difficult layouts didn’t bother Irwin throughout his career. He won 20 times on the PGA Tour and 45 times on the Champions Tour, the latter mark tied for second all-time. Irwin won The Memorial twice at the tough Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio. He also owns seven Champions Tour major victories.
“I think a lot was probably predicated on the fact that I was always underneath the pile in football,” Irwin said of being good on tough courses. “A lot of really strange things happened under that pile, and not all of them good.
“My athletic background helped me. All the sports I’ve played and my understanding of what it takes to play at a higher level, if not talent-wise, at least mentally wise. Many of the players — at least (during) that Winged Foot week — seemingly were pretty well checked out of the competition early in the week.”
The World Golf Hall of Famer is excited to see how the USGA sets up Pinehurst No. 2 for this week’s U.S. Open. Irwin won at Pinehurst early in his career. Given the caliber of the field, Irwin knows the golf course will need to play tough.
“How far back are they gonna put those tees?” Irwin said. “I’ve won there and it’s not an easy golf course. I always enjoyed it. It’s going to have to be something a little bit more refined in that and that refinement isn’t going to be bringing the rough in. Is it going to be tricking up the greens? There’s only so much you can do to a golf course.”
With Irwin’s Colorado roots, he will have his eyes on Clark trying to defend his title and his rise on the PGA Tour.
“I think it’s terrific,” Irwin said. “It shows you don’t have to be from California, Florida, Texas or wherever. Wyndham is a great player. I mean, his win wasn’t accidental.”
The pressure of being a major champion is something Irwin feels Clark is handling well.
“Many times, after that first major championship, you almost take a step backwards,” Irwin said. “It’s kind of a windfall and you struggle to get your feet back up underneath you. But I think he’s doing that well. His legacy is what he does from now on.”
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What they’re saying
“I mean, they are extremely fast. If they get any firmer and faster, the greens, I mean, they’d be borderline. They already are borderline.”
—Clark during his U.S. Open press conference about the greens at Pinehurst No. 2
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This week in golf
UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION
U.S. OPEN
Site: Pinehurst, N.C.
Course: Pinehurst No. 2. Yardage: 7,540. Par: 70.
Prize money: TBA ($20 million in 2023). Winner’s share: TBD. ($3.6 million in 2023).
Television: Thursday, 4:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (USA Network), 3-6 p.m. (Peacock); Friday, 4:30-11 a.m. (Peacock), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC), 5-6 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 8-10 a.m. (USA Network), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (NBC); Sunday, 7-10 a.m (USA Network), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (NBC).
Defending champion: Wyndham Clark.
LPGA TOUR
MEIJER LPGA CLASSIC
Site: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Course: Blythefield CC. Yardage: 6,638. Par: 72.
Prize money: $3 million. Winner’s share: $450,000.
Television: Thursday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, Noon-2 p.m. (CBS).
Defending champion: Leona Maguire.
KORN FERRY TOUR
WICHITA OPEN
Site: Wichita, Kan.
Course: Crestview CC. Yardage: 6,910. Par: 70.
Prize money: $1 million. Winner’s share: $180,000.
Television: None.
Defending champion: Ricky Castillo.
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Skins game
Odds to win U.S. Open
Scottie Scheffler +280
Xander Schauffele +1000
Rory McIlroy +1000
Collin Morikawa +1400
Viktor Hofland +1800
Bryson DeChambeau +2000
Wyndham Clark +7000
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U.S. Open tee times
(a-amateur)
Thursday-Friday
First Hole-10th Hole
4:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Michael McGowan, United States; Carter Jenkins, United States; Logan McAllister, United States.
4:56 a.m.-10:41 a.m. — Frederik Kjettrup, Denmark; Christopher Petefish, United States. a-Parker Bell, United States.
5:07 a.m.-10:52 a.m. — a-Omar Morales, Mexico; Max Greyserman, United States; Casey Jarvis, South Africa.
5:18 a.m.-11:03 a.m. — Corey Conners, Canada; Stephan Jaeger, Germany; Emiliano Grillo, Argentina.
5:29 a.m.-11:14 a.m. — Ryo Ishikawa, Japan; Francesco Molinari, Italy; Sergio Garcia, Spain.
5:40 a.m.-11:25 a.m. — Justin Thomas, United States; Collin Morikawa, United States; Brooks Koepka, United States.
5:51 a.m.-11:36 a.m. — Rickie Fowler, United States; Adam Hadwin, Canada; Phil Mickelson, United States.
6:02 a.m.-11:47 a.m. — Min Woo Lee, Australia; Sahith Theegala, United States; Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark
6:13 a.m.-11:58 a.m. — Si Woo Kim, South Korea; Matthieu Pavon, France; Sungjae Im, South Korea.
6:24 a.m.-12:09 p.m. — Nico Echavarria, Colombia; Robert Rock, England; a-Neal Shipley, United States.
6:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m. — Takumi Kanaya, Japan; a-Stewart Hagestad, United States; Mac Meissner, United States.
6:46 a.m.-12:31 p.m. — Isaiah Salinda, United States; a-Bryan Kim, United States; Jim Herman, United States.
6:57 a.m.-12:42 p.m. — Carson Schaake, United States; Charles Reiter, United States; a-Colin Prater, United States.
Thursday-Friday
10th Hole-First Hole
4:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Rico Hoey, Philippines; Tom McKibbin, Northern Ireland; Matteo Manassero, Italy.
4:56 a.m.-10:41 a.m. — Dean Burmester, South Africa; Rikuya Hoshino, Japan; Seamus Power, Ireland.
5:07 a.m.-10:52 a.m. — S.H. Kim, South Korea; Justin Lower, United States; Tim Widing, Sweden.
5:18 a.m.-11:03 a.m. — Lucas Glover, United States; Sam Burns, United States; Cameron Smith, Australia
5:29 a.m.-11:14 a.m. — Will Zalatoris, United States; Matt Fitzpatrick, England; Tiger Woods, United States.
5:40 a.m.-11:25 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, United States; Matt Kuchar, United States; Russell Henley, United States.
5:51 a.m.-11:36 a.m. — Tony Finau, United States; Ludvig Aberg, Sweden; Dustin Johnson, United States.
6:02 a.m.-11:47 a.m. — Justin Rose, England; Gary Woodland, United States; Webb Simpson, United States.
6:13 a.m.-11:58 a.m. — Daniel Berger, United States; Ryan Fox, New Zealand; David Puig, Spain.
6:24 a.m.-12:09 p.m. — Byeong Hun An, South Korea; Sam Bennett, United States; Edoardo Molinari, Italy.
6:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m. — Austin Eckroat, United States; Adrian Meronk, Poland; Cam Davis, Australia.
6:46 a.m.-12:31 p.m. — Aaron Rai, England; Davis Thompson, United States; Zac Blair, United States.
6:57 a.m.-12:42 p.m. — Willie Mack III, United States; Richard Mansell, England; a-Ashton McCulloch, Canada.
Thursday-Friday
First Hole-10th Hole
10:30 a.m.-4:45 a.m. — Jason Scrivener, Australia; Brandon Robinson Thompson, England; a-Brendan Valdes, United States.
10:41 a.m.-4:56 a.m. — a-Santiago de la Fuente, Mexico; Sam Bairstow, England; Eugenio Chacarra, Spain.
10:52 a.m.-5:07 a.m. — Kurt Kitayama, United States; Taylor Moore, United States; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa.
11:03 a.m.-6:18 a.m.— Jason Day, Australia; Harris English, United States; Tom Kim, South Korea.
11:14 a.m.-5:29 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Xander Schauffele, United States; Scottie Scheffler, United States.
11:25 a.m.-5:40 a.m. — Brian Harman, United States; Nick Dunlap, United States; Wyndham Clark, United States.
11:36 a.m.-5:51 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Jon Rahm, Spain; Jordan Spieth, United States.
11:47 a.m.-6:02 a.m. — Shane Lowry, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, United States; Martin Kaymer, Germany.
11:58 .m.-6:13 a.m. — Akshay Bhatia, United States; Eric Cole, United States; Erik van Rooyen, South Africa.
12:09 p.m.-6:24 a.m. — Brendon Todd, United States; Taylor Pendrith, Canada; Alex Noren, Sweden.
12:20 p.m.-6:35 a.m. — Thomas Detry, Belgium; Brian Campbell, United States; a-Jackson Buchanan, United States.
12:31 p.m.-6:46 a.m. — Taisei Shimizu, Japan; a-Gunnar Broin, United States; Maxwell Moldovan, United States.
12:42 p.m.-6:57 a.m. — Sung Kang, South Korea; Riki Kawamoto, Japan; John Chin, United States.
Thursday-Friday
10th Hole-First Hole
10:30 a.m.-4:45 a.m. — Greyson Sigg, United States; Grant Forrest, Scotland; a-Wells Williams, United States.
10:41 a.m.-4:56 a.m. — Chesson Hadley, United States; Mark Hubbard, United States; Adam Svensson, Canada.
10:52 a.m.-5:07 a.m. — Beau Hossler, United States; Victor Perez, France; Adam Schenk, United States.
11:03 a.m.-5:18 a.m.— Robert MacIntyre, Scotland; Nick Taylor, Canada; Mackenzie Hughes, Canada.
11:14 a.m.-5:29 a.m. — Tyrrell Hatton, England; Tommy Fleetwood, England; Tom Hoge, United States.
11:25 a.m.-5:40 a.m. — Bryson DeChambeau, United States; Viktor Hovland, Norway; Max Homa, United States.
11:36 a.m.-5:51 a.m. — Sepp Straka, Austria; Peter Malnati, United States; J.T. Poston, United States.
11:47 a.m.-6:02 a.m. — a-Gordon Sargent, United States; Jake Knapp, United States; Cameron Young, United States.
11:58 a.m.-6:13 a.m. — Chris Kirk, United States; Billy Horschel, United States; Adam Scott, Australia.
12:09 p.m.-6:24 a.m. — Ben Kohles, United States; Denny McCarthy, United States; a-Ben James, United States.
12:20 p.m.-6:35 a.m. — Frankie Capan III, United States; Andy Svoboda, United States; a-Luke Clanton, United States.
12:31 p.m.-6:46 a.m. — Harry Higgs, United States; a-Hiroshi Tai, Singapore; Brandon Wu, United States.
12:42 p.m.-6:57 a.m. — Joey Vrzich, United States; Chris Naegel, United States; Otto Black, United States.
