San Francisco, California · Parkland
5 major championships hosted since 1955
Established
1924
Designer
Sam Whiting
Par
70
Championship Yardage
7,170 yds
The Olympic Club's Lake Course in San Francisco is famous for one thing above all: upsets. Tilted fairways that kick balls into the rough, a single fairway bunker, and cypress-lined holes have repeatedly undone the game's biggest names.
Time and again the favorite has fallen at Olympic — Hogan, Palmer, Watson and Mickelson among them — while champions Jack Fleck, Billy Casper, Scott Simpson, Lee Janzen and Webb Simpson seized their chances.
Lowest scoring marks recorded in major championship competition at Olympic Club.
Course Record (round)
63
U.S. Open rounds
Lowest 72-Hole Total
281 (+1)
U.S. Open eras
First Major Hosted
1955
Total Majors Hosted
5
Every major championship staged at Olympic Club, by championship and year.
| Championship | Times | Years |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | 5 | 1955, 1966, 1987, 1998, 2012 |
Defining rounds and championship moments in the history of Olympic Club.
Unknown municipal pro Jack Fleck birdied two of the last four holes, then beat Ben Hogan in a playoff in one of sport's greatest upsets.
Billy Casper made up seven shots over the final nine on Arnold Palmer and won a playoff.
Scott Simpson held off Tom Watson to win the U.S. Open.
Lee Janzen rallied past Payne Stewart to win his second U.S. Open.
Webb Simpson came from behind as Jim Furyk and others faltered late.
Its canted fairways and cypress-framed holes have repeatedly denied favorites like Hogan, Palmer, Watson and Mickelson, while lesser-known players seized the title.
Jack Fleck, a little-known club professional, beat Hogan in an 18-hole playoff at the 1955 U.S. Open.
Five, in 1955, 1966, 1987, 1998 and 2012.