1940 U.S. Open (golf)

1940 U.S. Open (golf)

The 1940 U.S. Open was the 44th U.S. Open. The golf tournament was held June 3–6, 1940, at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio. Lawson Little defeated Gene Sarazen in an 18-hole playoff to win his first U.S. Open title.

Lawson Little started the final round a stroke behind leader Frank Walsh and carded a 73 to finish at 287. Gene Sarazen made two birdies on the back-nine and did not make a bogey to also post 287 and force a playoff. Little jumped out to an early advantage in the playoff, making the turn with a three-stroke advantage. Sarazen made birdie at 11 and 13 and came within a shot with five holes to play, but could draw no closer as Little shot 70 to Sarazen's 73. Little became the fifth player to win both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur.

Six players were disqualified after the final round for starting their round too early to avoid a coming storm. One of those players, Ed Oliver, actually tied Little and Sarazen, but his disqualification prevented his participation in the playoff. Walter Hagen, playing in his final U.S. Open, was also disqualified for showing up late for his third round.

The top eight finishers in the tournament were all past or future major champions, and all of them would be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.