The best round in U.S. Open history might not actually be Johnny Miller’s 63, according to this stat
When it comes to the most celebrated rounds in U.S. Open history, Johnny Miller's 63 is likely at the top of that list. A final-round 8-under par at Oakmont, perhaps golf’s most difficult major venue, with his legendary contemporaries chasing him as he attempted to go back-to-back at Oakmont lives large in U.S. Open lure. For good reason. Yet, buried deep in the history books lies a round most golf fans probably have never heard about—but it’s time to give it the attention it deserves.
In just the fourth-ever U.S. Open, Scotland’s Fred Hurd 75 during the third round of the 1898 U.S. Open at Myopia Hunt Club in Massachusetts—helping him to a seven-stroke victory—could be the actual the best round in U.S. Open history, according to some metrics.
Why, you’re probably asking? How could a Sunday 63 at Oakmont Country Club be surpassed by a 75, when the average U.S. Open score has been a 69 (as of 1966)?
Though Miller's 63 is undoubtedly impressive, Herd's round can be looked at from a different angle when analyzed through the lens of strokes gained. On that Saturday in 1898, the scoring average was a 91.3—so Herd’s 75 allowed him to gain 16.3 strokes on his opponents—the best mark in U.S. Open history, according to Rick Gehman and his RickRunGood.com stats database. Miller gained 10.77 strokes on the field—which of course included Arnold Palmer, who was tied for the lead at the Pittsburgh-area course, Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklaus, who shot a final-round 68 that Sunday.
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Herd’s mark tops the field in Gehman’s analysis, which you can find below.
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Oh goodness, don't tell Johnny—but when analyzing the best rounds in U.S. Open history by strokes gained, the two-time major champion would actually have the 47th-best round in tournament history. OK, that's getting a little out of hand. Miller's round is surely among the top 10 or so if it's not the best of all time (which it still might be, considering his competition).
Our favorite part of Gehman's analysis? It led us to discover one of the most interesting stories among U.S. Open champs. The winner of the famous sterling silver U.S. Open trophy received a grand $150 in prize money. However, according to reports, due to his notorious reputation as a heavy drinker, Herd was not allowed to take the trophy home until he had paid a deposit, as the USGA feared he may pawn it to buy booze. What a legend indeed.
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