2010 U.S. Open - Pebble Beach : A Grand Tradition

~ Pebble Beach Golf Links: Majestic Views, Challenging Layout ~


For the past eight decades, Pebble Beach Golf Links has consistently challenged some of the greatest golfers in the world, while providing them with a stunningly gorgeous natural setting that is among the best in the world of golf.

Ever since it was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant and opened for the public in 1919, Pebble Beach has hosted a wide array of professional golf tournaments, which have been captured by some of the most well-known golfers of the last 50 years, including Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Phil Mickelson, and Johnny Miller.

By 1972, Pebble Beach had become one of the world's most beloved and respected golf courses. That year, the course hosted its very first major championship - the U.S. Open, which was captured by Jack Nicklaus, who was arguably in the prime of his golfing career at the time.

Since then, the course has hosted four more dramatic and historical major championships, all of which led to the crowning achievements of some of the most popular and respected U.S. Open and PGA Championship winners of all time. Here is a look at all five of the major championships that have been hosted at Pebble Beach throughout the last 38 years.

1972 U.S. Open
Jack Nicklaus

In April of 1972, Jack Nicklaus captured his fourth Masters title and second consecutive major championship victory. When he arrived at Pebble Beach in pursuit of his third U.S. Open triumph, the general public had begun to believe that he would not only win his thirteenth career major championship, but that he would also become the first golfer to obtain the modern day Grand Slam - all four major championships in one, single calendar year.

Nicklaus did not disappoint. With a three stroke victory over Australian Bruce Crampton, and one of the greatest shots in U.S. Open history - a perfectly struck 1-iron shot that landed within inches of the pin on the 71st hole (the treacherous and famed 17th), Nicklaus created lasting U.S. Open memories that will be discussed well into the future.

1977 PGA Championship
Lanny Wadkins

By the time Lanny Wadkins won the 59th PGA Championship, he had already captured the attention of golf fans around the world. With multiple PGA TOUR titles and a victory at the U.S. Amateur to his credit, Wadkins was still in pursuit of his main career goal - to capture a major championship.

After defeating 1961 U.S. Open champion Gene Littler in a sudden death playoff, Wadkins did not only overcome the challenging course conditions of Pebble Beach, but also defeated the most talented field of the entire golf season. Although he never won another major championship, Wadkins is still one of the most successful American golfers of the modern era, with 21 PGA TOUR victories and eight Ryder Cup appearances.

1982 U.S. Open
Tom Watson

The 1982 U.S. Open will always be remembered for one shot - a shot that broke the heart of Jack Nicklaus, but created the current, legendary status of Tom Watson. Standing on the 71st hole of the championship, Watson was tied with his friend and fellow rival Jack Nicklaus, who was in pursuit of his record fifth U.S. Open victory and had already obtained the clubhouse lead at four-under-par.

When he pulled his tee shot into deep rough near the edge of the green, Nicklaus appeared to be the outright winner. Then.... history occurred. Before Watson chipped, he predicted his own destiny by telling his caddy Bruce Edwards that he was actually going to hole the chip. Upon making the shot (and the birdie for a one stroke lead) and celebrating in triumphant fashion, Watson calmly birdied the ever-challenging 72nd hole for a two-stroke victory over Nicklaus.

Although Watson only captured one U.S. Open victory throughout his long, storied career, his win at Pebble Beach is still known as one of the greatest, most memorable victories in U.S. Open history.

1992 U.S. Open
Tom Kite

Much like Lanny Wadkins in 1977, Tom Kite entered Pebble Beach in 1992 as one of the greatest golfers to have never won a major championship. With a slew of PGA TOUR victories and millions of dollars in earnings, Kite was only motivated by one goal he had yet to accomplish - to capture one of golf's four major championships.

With a steady final round of even-par 72 in some of the worst weather conditions in U.S. Open history, Kite defeated 1988 PGA Champion Jeff Sluman by two strokes for his coveted first and, so far, only major championship victory. With the win, Kite's status as a Hall of Fame candidate was complete - 19 PGA TOUR victories and seven Ryder cup appearances, along with his U.S. Open triumph.

2000 U.S. Open
Tiger Woods

The 2000 U.S. Open was significant for a variety of reasons. First, it was the 100th playing of the championship - an important milestone that showed just why the U.S. Open is regarded as the most important golf tournament in the world. Second, 1991 and 1999 U.S. Open champion Payne Stewart, who had passed away in a plane crash just months before, was honored prior to the start of the first round. Finally, four-time U.S. Open champion Jack Nicklaus was competing in the final U.S. Open championship of his career.

However, no one knew that Tiger Woods would completely steal the show with arguably the greatest display of golf ever witnessed in the history of the game. While shooting 12-under-par in four rounds, Woods either tied or broke a wide array of U.S. Open and major championship records. He tied Jack Nicklaus and Lee Janzen for the best total aggregate score in U.S. Open history (272) and also attained the largest margin of victory in major championship history with his 15 stroke advantage over runners-up Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Quite simply, Woods was flawless throughout the entire week and played, perhaps, the best four rounds of golf that will ever be played throughout the history of the game.

Without a doubt, the challenge of Pebble Beach Golf Links has led to some of the most well-known and beloved moments in the history of the game. As some of the greatest golfers in the world prepare for their own share of golf history, they will need to face the majesty and challenge of Pebble Beach - the most naturally beautiful and awe-inspring golf course in the world.