CU’s Hale Irwin wins first of three U.S. Open titles | June 16, 1974 | Colorado’s Top 150 Sports Moments
Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.
Leading into the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.
For Nos. 50 to 1, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati coordinated a 19-member committee to rank in order what they considered the top moments. The No. 1 moment will be revealed July 31. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.
No. 30 — June 16, 1974
A 3-over par 73 in the final round propelled former CU golfer (and quarterback and safety) Hale Irwin to victory in the 74th U.S. Open. The 29-year-old was consistent over the four rounds (73-70-71-73—287, 7-over par) on the tough Winged Foot Golf Club course in Mamaroneck, N.Y. He won by two strokes over Forrest “Fuzzy” Fezler, with notables Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player further down the line. He cashed a $35,000 check for his efforts. It was the first of his three U.S. Open wins to go with triumphs in 1979 and 1990. Irwin remains just one of six players to win three or more U.S. Open titles.
—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian