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 the second of his four U.S. Open titles 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 led after each of the first three rounds, with a six-shot lead after 54 holes, but carded 82 in the final round on Saturday afternoon. Brown's 76 equaled them at 307 total, eight strokes clear of the field. The playoff was moved to Monday because Sunday was reserved for member play, and was played in a heavy rainstorm. Anderson took a two-stroke lead at the turn, but Brown managed to tie after 14. At the next hole, Brown made a seven after his tee shot went out of bounds, but Anderson only gained a single stroke after three-putting for a six. At 16, Brown made a six to Anderson's five, and both made fours on the last two holes; Anderson ended at 82, two shots ahead.
Anderson had won in 1901 and was the first to win the U.S. Open twice; it was the first of three consecutive titles, a feat yet to be repeated. His four U.S. Open wins set a record which has been equaled by three others: Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus.
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.
Round summaries First round Friday, June 26, 1903 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 Willie Anderson 732 Laurie Auchterlonie 75T3 Jack Campbell 76 Jack Hobens T5 Findlay Douglas (a) 77 Stewart Gardner Alex SmithT8 George Tuttle Brokaw (a) 78 William NortonT10 David Brown 79 Alex Campbell Donald Ross Source:
Second round Friday, June 26, 1903 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScore1 Willie Anderson 73-76=149T2 Laurie Auchterlonie 75-79=154 Stewart Gardner 77-77=154 Alex Smith 77-77=154T5 David Brown 79-77=156 Findlay Douglas (a) 77-79=1567 Jack Hobens 76-81=157 8 Donald Ross 79-79=158T9 Jack Campbell 76-83=159 William Norton 78-81=159 Horace Rawlins 82-77=159 Source:
Third round Saturday, June 27, 1903 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 Willie Anderson 73-76-76=2252 David Brown 79-77-75=231 3 Alex Smith 77-77-81=235T4 Stewart Gardner 77-77-82=236 Donald Ross 79-79-78=2366 Horace Rawlins 82-77-78=237T7 Laurie Auchterlonie 75-79-84=238 Findlay Douglas (a) 77-79-82=2389 Jack Hobens 76-81-82=239 10 Isaac Mackie 83-80-78=241 Source:
Final round Saturday, June 27, 1903 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreMoney ($)T1 Willie Anderson 73-76-76-82=307 Playoff David Brown 79-77-75-76=307 3 Stewart Gardner 77-77-82-79=315 1254 Alex Smith 77-77-81-81=316 1005 Donald Ross 79-79-78-82=318 806 Jack Campbell 76-83-83-77=319 707 Laurie Auchterlonie 75-79-84-83=321 508 Findlay Douglas (a) 77-79-82-84=322 0T9 Jack Hobens 76-81-82-84=323 33 Alex Ross 83-82-78-80=323 Willie Smith 80-81-83-79=323 Source:
Amateurs: Douglas (322), Reinhart (325), Travis (326), Brokaw (333),Croker (348), Carnegie (353), Kellogg (356), Gillespie (357),Tappin (359), Watson (360), Ward (363), McDonald (372).
Playoff Monday, June 29, 1903 PlacePlayerScoreMoney ($)1 Willie Anderson 42-40=82 2002 David Brown 42-42=84 150 Source:
References
External links USGA Championship Database