Uncover the Engrossing Past of the US Open Tennis Trophy
Winning the US Open: An Exciting Journey
Winning the prestigious US Open trophy is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world of sports. But, the trophy you see on TV isn't the original one. Commissioned by the USGA in 1895, the first trophy was a stunning stirling silver piece, standing 18 inches tall, and was made by the Gorham Corporation.
The inaugural US Open, held at the Newport Country Club, was won by a 21-year-old Englishman named Horace Rawlins. However, unlike modern champions, Rawlins didn't get to keep the trophy. Instead, he took home a cash prize of $150 and a gold medal while the US Open trophy remained with Newport Country Club, where he had worked since the beginning of the year.
Tragically, the original trophy was lost in a clubhouse fire in 1946. The winner that year, Lloyd Mangrum, had been displaying it at his local club near Chicago. After the second trophy, an exact replica, was presented to the USGA in 1947, it became the trophy that winners took home until its retirement in 1986. It now resides at the USGA Golf Museum in New Jersey.
Nowadays, the winner is handed the third US Open trophy, which must be returned to the USGA a year later. They keep a smaller replica trophy as a permanent memento of their victory.
In addition to the trophy, the winner is awarded the Jack Nicklaus medal during the trophy presentation—a tradition that harks back to the first US Open in 1895. Back then, the winner's club was given the trophy for the next year and was awarded a medal. In 2012, this medal was renamed in honor of four-time US Open winner Jack Nicklaus and given a standard design featuring his famous golf swing.
There have been a few mishaps involving the US Open trophy over the years. After Rory McIlroy won the Major in 2011, he took it to events over the next year. However, customs officials in China impounded the trophy during McIlroy's appearance at the Shanghai Masters. Thankfully, the USGA successfully negotiated its release in time for the 2012 Major at San Francisco's Olympic Club.
The latest edition of the US Open trophy embarked on quite an adventure between 2024 and 2025, after Bryson DeChambeau won the US Open for a second time. The Southern Methodist University alumnus took it to meet fans, poured sand from a bunker into the trophy, visited his former college, and even showed it off at an SMU college football game.
DeChambeau is scheduled to defend his title in 2025, and if he wins again, he's likely to have some interesting post-victory plans up his sleeve!
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Remember the legendary escapades of Bryson DeChambeau, who embarked on a journey taking the US Open trophy to hangouts, golf courses, and even an SMU college football game, celebrating his victories in unconventional ways? (US Open, sports, golf)
