1933 U.S. Open (golf)

1933 U.S. Open (golf)

The 1933 U.S. Open was the 37th U.S. Open. The golf tournament was held June 8–10, 1933, at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois. Amateur Johnny Goodman outlasted Ralph Guldahl by a single stroke to win his only major championship.

Johnny Goodman opened with a 75, which put him seven strokes off the lead held by 1927 champion Tommy Armour. His second round, however, was one for the record books as he tied Gene Sarazen's tournament record with a 66. After a third-round 70 in which he needed just 28 putts, Goodman had a six stroke lead over Ralph Guldahl. After opening his final round with an eagle and birdie, Goodman's play suddendly declined as he shot 6-over-par for the next six holes. Guldahl was now only two shots out of the lead. Goodman bounced back and recorded four consecutive pars after making the turn. He bogeyed 14, came back with a birdie at 15, but then bogeyed 17. A par at the last gave him a 76 and a 287 total. Still on the course with a chance to catch Goodman, Guldahl missed a 4-foot putt at the last that would have forced a playoff. Brothers Mortie and Olin Dutra both placed in the top-10, finishing 6th and 7th, respectively.

Goodman remains the last amateur to win a major championship. The closest an amateur has come to winning since was Jack Nicklaus' runner-up finish in 1960. Goodman would win the U.S. Amateur championship four years later.