What Is 2001 U.S. Open Golf Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2001 U.S. Open Golf Championship was held from June 14–18, 2001, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Retief Goosen won his first major title after a playoff against Mark Brooks, following a crucial bogey on the final hole by Goosen in regulation that still secured his victory.

Key Facts

The 2001 U.S. Open took place from June 14–18, 2001, at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Retief Goosen won his first U.S. Open title, defeating Mark Brooks in an 18-hole playoff by two strokes.
Goosen entered the final round with a five-stroke lead but shot a 76 on Sunday, forcing a playoff.
The playoff score: Goosen 70, Brooks 72, with Goosen winning by two strokes.
This was the first U.S. Open held at Southern Hills since 1977 and the third overall at the course.

Overview

The 2001 U.S. Open Golf Championship was the 101st edition of the tournament, hosted at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It took place from June 14 to June 18, 2001, marking a return to a classic venue known for its challenging layout and tree-lined fairways.

Southwestern Oklahoma's heat and firm, fast greens tested the world's best golfers, with only 11 players finishing under par. The tournament is remembered for its dramatic final round, where South African golfer Retief Goosen held a commanding lead before a late stumble forced a playoff—the first in the U.S. Open since 1990.

Retief Goosen entered Sunday with a five-stroke lead but shot a 76, including a double bogey on the 17th, to finish at +2 (282), forcing a playoff.
Mark Brooks capitalized on Goosen’s collapse, shooting a 67 to match him at even par, setting up an 18-hole Monday playoff.
The playoff saw Goosen regain composure, shooting a solid 70 to Brooks’ 72, winning by two strokes and claiming his first major title.
Southern Hills played to a length of 7,039 yards and a par of 70, with thick rough and fast greens contributing to high scores.
Only 11 golfers finished under par, highlighting the difficulty of the course setup, which included narrow fairways and deep bunkers.

Final Round Drama and Playoff

The final round of the 2001 U.S. Open delivered one of the most nerve-wracking finishes in major championship history, culminating in a tense playoff the following day. Goosen’s collapse on the 17th hole—where he took a triple bogey due to a missed putt and poor recovery—opened the door for Brooks, who remained steady under pressure.

Final hole collapse: Goosen’s triple bogey on the 17th included a missed 3-foot putt, a rare error that shifted momentum dramatically.
Brooks’ charge: Starting the final round six shots back, Brooks birdied three of the last six holes to post 67 and force a playoff.
Playoff format: An 18-hole playoff was held on Monday, June 18, the first U.S. Open playoff since 1990.
Weather impact: High temperatures exceeding 95°F affected player stamina and course conditions throughout the week.
Historic significance: Goosen became the first South African to win the U.S. Open since Gary Player in 1965.
Scoring average: The field averaged 74.2 strokes per round, reflecting the course’s difficulty and tight setup.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2001 U.S. Open compares to other recent editions in terms of scoring, margin of victory, and course difficulty:

Year	Winner	Winning Score	Margin of Victory	Course
2001	Retief Goosen	+2 (282)	2 (in playoff)	Southern Hills CC
2000	Tiger Woods	−12 (272)	15 strokes	Pebble Beach
1999	Payne Stewart	−1 (279)	1 stroke	Pinehurst No. 2
1998	Lee Janzen	−1 (283)	1 stroke	Olympic Club
1997	Ernie Els	−1 (283)	1 (in playoff)	Congressional CC

The 2001 U.S. Open was notable for its tight scoring and dramatic finish, contrasting sharply with Tiger Woods’ dominant 15-stroke win the previous year. Unlike the record-breaking performance at Pebble Beach, Southern Hills demanded precision and mental toughness, resulting in only a few players breaking par.

Why It Matters

The 2001 U.S. Open remains a pivotal moment in golf history, illustrating how pressure can unravel even the most composed players—and how resilience can lead to triumph. Its legacy endures in how it reshaped perceptions of mental fortitude in major championships.

Psychological resilience: Goosen’s ability to rebound from a triple bogey and win the playoff showcased exceptional mental strength.
Global representation: His win elevated South African golfers on the world stage, following in Gary Player’s footsteps.
U.S. Open tradition: The tournament reinforced the U.S. Open’s reputation for difficulty and unpredictability.
Media coverage: The dramatic collapse and comeback drew record TV ratings, boosting golf’s popularity in the early 2000s.
Course design influence: Southern Hills’ setup inspired future U.S. Open venues to emphasize precision over power.
Historic rarity: It was the first U.S. Open playoff in 11 years, underscoring how infrequently such dramatic finishes occur.

Ultimately, the 2001 U.S. Open is remembered not just for who won, but how he won—through adversity, focus, and redemption after a public stumble. It remains a textbook case of championship golf’s emotional and technical demands.