&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:1991OpenLogo.jpg) | |
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 13–17, 1991 |
| Location | Chaska, Minnesota 44°50′02″N 93°35′28″W / 44.834°N 93.591°W |
| Course(s) | Hazeltine National Golf Club |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 7,149 yards (6,537 m)[1] |
| Field | 156 players, 65 after cut |
| Cut | 147 (+3) |
| Prize fund | $1.3 million |
| Winner's share | $235,000 |
| Champion | |
 Payne Stewart | |
| 282 (−6), playoff | |
| Location map | |
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:Usa_edcp_relief_location_map.png)  Hazeltine National Location in the United States &sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:USA_Minnesota_relief_location_map.svg) Hazeltine National Location in Minnesota | |
The 1991 U.S. Open was the 91st U.S. Open, held June 13–17 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, a suburb southwest of Minneapolis. Payne Stewart defeated 1987 champion Scott Simpson in an 18-hole Monday playoff to win the first of his two U.S. Open titles.[2] It was the second of Stewart's three major championships.
Stewart held the lead through each of the first three rounds, but in the final round he found himself trailing Simpson by a stroke heading to the 18th. Simpson hit his drive into the rough and could only manage a bogey to Stewart's par, forcing an 18-hole playoff. Both players shot a final-round 72 to finish at 282 total, three shots clear of Larry Nelson and Fred Couples. In the playoff, Simpson led by two-strokes heading to the 16th. He then bogeyed the hole, however, while Stewart made birdie to even up the contest. At the par-3 17th, Simpson found the water on his tee shot and recorded another bogey, giving Stewart a one-shot advantage. Simpson then made bogey on the 18th while Stewart made a par, giving Stewart a two-stroke win and the championship.[3] Stewart's winning score in the playoff of 75 was the highest since Tommy Armour won with a 76 in 1927.[4]
Play was interrupted during the first round due to a severe thunderstorm. Six people were struck by lightning while seeking shelter near the 11th tee, and one person was killed.[5]
It was the final U.S. Open appearance for two-time champion Lee Trevino; Phil Mickelson won low-amateur honors for the second consecutive year, finishing in 55th place.
This was the second U.S. Open at Hazeltine; the first was in 1970. It later hosted the PGA Championship in 2002 and 2009.
- ^ "Hazeltine National Golf Club: course". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. June 13, 1991. p. C5.
- ^ Reilly, Rick (June 24, 1991). "Payne free at last". Sports Illustrated. p. 24.
- ^ GOLF; Stewart Captures Open as Simpson Falters Again
- ^ Florence, Mal (June 18, 1991). "U.S. Open: Stewart shows the finishing touch". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Schumacher, John (June 14, 1991). "Storm hits quickly and tragically in 1st round". Milwaukee Journal. p. C1.