Top-tier athletic stars who have yet to secure the US Open title
The Frustrating Chase for the US Open Trophy
Who says winning a Major is a walk in the park? Each men's golf Major has its own set of challenges, but none as notoriously tough as the US Open. These courses are designed to punish even the slightest mistake. Yet, numerous golfing greats have managed to hoist the trophy at least once, while some legendary players were left yearning for that elusive title. Let's take a look at some of the game's best who never quite managed to win the US Open, despite their undeniable talents.
A Glimpse at the Unclaimables
Harry Cooper
Cooper, an English-American golfer, didn't just miss out on the US Open – he never won a Major title, despite a fantastic career that spanned 16 years and saw 30 tour wins! The agony of almosts was evident when he led twice heading into the final round in 1927 and 1936, only to watch his chances slip through his fingers.
Jimmy Demaret
Known for his three Masters titles, Demaret's Majors ended there, with the US Open remaining frustratingly out of reach. He came closest in 1948, finishing two strokes behind Ben Hogan after both shot 69s in the final round.
Bobby Locke
A four-time Open Champion, South African Bobby Locke held the 36-hole lead at the 1951 US Open, only to see the title slip through his fingers when Ben Hogan overtook him to finish in 3rd.
Sam Snead
Snead, who won the Masters and PGA Championship three times each, had only one Major title missing from his collection – the US Open. He finished second on four occasions and infamously triple-bogeyed the final hole in the 1939 tournament, costing him the title.
Nick Faldo
With six Major titles, 43 professional wins, and a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Englishman is undoubtedly one of the best players ever. Yet, the US Open remained stubbornly out of reach, with five top-10 finishes but no title.
Seve Ballesteros
Known for his 90 professional wins, Ballesteros won two Masters and three Opens but couldn't get his hands on the US Open trophy. He came close in 1987, finishing three shots behind Scott Simpson.
Bernhard Langer
The legendary German won two Masters titles but never managed to conquer the other three Majors, with just two top-10 finishes at the US Open.
Sandy Lyle
Regarded as one of the finest ball strikers of his time, Lyle only managed a tied-16th finish in his 10 appearances at the US Open.
Colin Montgomerie
Scot Montgomerie never won a Major in an otherwise fantastic career that saw him rack up 54 professional wins. Despite five top-10 finishes at the championship, including three runner-up finishes, the title always eluded him.
Greg Norman
A total of 331 weeks as World No.1, two Majors, and seven runner-up finishes in other Majors? Greg Norman should have won more. His closest call at the US Open came in 1984, where he lost in an 18-hole playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller.
Nick Price
The Zimbabwean was one of the most dominant players of the 1990s, with three Major titles to his name. However, the US Open proved to be an insurmountable challenge, with two close calls in 1992 and 1998.
Vijay Singh
The Fijian racked up 66 professional wins, including three Major titles, but the US Open remained elusive. He came closest in 1999, where he finished third, just two shots behind Payne Stewart.
Padraig Harrington
The three-time Major winner managed five top-10 finishes in the US Open, coming closest in 2012 at the Olympic Club. Despite shooting a brilliant final round 68, he ended two strokes shy of Webb Simpson.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, the second-best player of the 21st century, has six Major titles to his name but is also the ultimate US Open nearly man, with six runner-up finishes. His most notable miss came in 2006 at Winged Foot, where a double-bogey on the final hole cost him the title by a single stroke.
Other notable golfers on this list include Tom Weiskopf, Ben Crenshaw, Ian Woosnam, Roberto De Vicenzo, John Daly, Fred Couples, Mark O'Meara, Jose Maria Olazabal, Davis Love III, Bubba Watson, Lee Westwood, and more.
Meanwhile, there are still some big names yet to win the US Open, such as Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith, and others who continue to chase that elusive Major victory. The pursuit of the US Open trophy truly showcases the razor-thin margin between victory and disappointment in the world of golf.
Sports such as golf have their own set of challenging Majors, with the US Open being one of the most notorious for its punishing courses and prestigious trophy. Despite their undeniable talents, players like Harry Cooper, who led twice but never won, and Phil Mickelson, who has six runner-up finishes, have yet to hoist the US Open trophy.
