2004 US Open: 2004 US Open Shinnecock Hills

Oct. 4, 1895, the first U.S. Open Championship was played on the nine-hole course of Newport (R.I.) Golf and Country Club.

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The first U.S. Open was considered was not as appreciated as the first U.S. Amateur, which was played on the same course and during the same week. Both championships had been scheduled for September but were played in October due to the established Newport, America's Cup yacht races.

Ten professionals and one amateur started in the 36-hole US Open competition, which was four trips around the Newport course in one day. The surprise winner was Horace Rawlins, 21, an English professional who was the assistant at the host course.

He won the top prize of $150 first prize. He also received a gold medal and custody of the US Open Championship Cup for his club for one year.

In its first decade the U.S. Open was conducted for amateurs and the largely British wave of immigrant golf professionals coming to the United States.

As American players began to dominate the game, the U.S. Open evolved into an important world golf championship.

More interest in the championship's popularity coincided with the Georgia amateur Bobby Jones, who won the U.S. Open four times (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930).

In each era, the world's greatest players have been identified by surviving the rigorous examination provided by the U.S. Open. Ben Hogan's steely determination boosted him to four victories (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953). Arnold

The U.S. Open has changed several times. The USGA extended the championship to 72 holes in 1898, with 36 holes played on each of two days. In 1926, the format was changed to 18 holes played each of two days, then 36 holes on the third day. In 1965, the present format of four 18-hole daily rounds was implemented for the first time.

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