1896 U.S. Open (golf)


The 1896 U.S. Open was the second U.S. Open, held July 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. James Foulis won his only major title, three strokes ahead of runner-up Horace Rawlins, the defending champion. 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 eleven on the 13th hole of the final round, and finished tied for sixth.
Foulis, the third-place finisher in the inaugural U.S. Open the year before, recorded rounds of 78-74 to prevail by three over Rawlins. Foulis' 74 set a record that was not broken until 1903, after the rubber-core ball had come into use.
At, Shinnecock Hills played as the shortest course in U.S. Open history. Its next U.S. Open was 90 years later, in 1986. By then, the course had been lengthened to.

Past champion in the field

Source:

First round

Saturday, July 18, 1896
PlacePlayerCountryScore
T1Willie Dunn, Jr.78
T1James Foulis78
T1Joe Lloyd78
T1John Shippen78
T1Andrew Smith 78
T1Willie Tucker78
T7George Douglas79
T7Horace Rawlins79
9Alfred Ricketts80
T10Tom Gourlay82
T10Buff Wilson82

Source:

Final round

Saturday, July 18, 1896
PlacePlayerCountryScoreMoney
1James Foulis78-74=152150
2Horace Rawlins79-76=155100
T3George Douglas79-79=15850
T3Andrew Smith 78-80=1580
T5John Shippen78-81=15925
T5H. J. Whigham 82-77=1590
T7Joe Lloyd78-82=1605
T7Willie Tucker78-82=1605
9Buff Wilson82-80=1620
10Alfred Ricketts80-83=1630

Source:
Amateurs: Smith, Whigham, Macdonald.