1896 U.S. Open Golf Championship

1896 U.S. Open Golf Championship

The 1896 U.S. Open was the second U.S. Open. The golf tournament was held July 18, 1896, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. James Foulis won his first U.S. Open title with a three stroke victory over inaugural champion Horace Rawlins. Like the first Open, it was a sideshow to the U.S. Amateur. However, there were 35 entrants and 28 finished the 36 holes.

Before play began, several players signed a petition stating that they would not play if John Shippen, an African-American, and Oscar Bunn, a Native American, were allowed to play. The petition was denied, however, and the players relented. Shippen, a caddie at Shinnecock Hills, shot an opening round of 78, which placed him just two back of leader Joe Lloyd. He was in a position to win the championship until an 11 on the 13th hole of the final round. He finished tied for 6th place. James Foulis, third-place finisher in the inaugural U.S. Open the year before, recorded rounds of 78-74 to prevail by three over defending champion Horace Rawlins. Foulis's 74 set a record that was not broken until 1903, after the rubber-core ball had come into use.

At 4,423 yards, Shinnecock Hills played as the shortest course in U.S. Open history. It would not host another U.S. Open until 90 years later.