Oakmont History Suggests That There Will Be No Fluke U.S. Open Winner

If you’re looking to pick a winner at the 116th playing of the U.S. Open this week, you might want to consider the history of those who have won at Oakmont.

That history suggests there will be no fluke winner. No Steve Jones, no Webb Simpson, none of that.

First, let’s peruse the list of winners at Oakmont:

1927:    Tommy Armour, The Silver Scot won with a score of 13-over par.

1935:    Sam Parks Jr. at 11-over, the only champion at Oakmont without more than one major title.

1953:   Ben Hogan, five-under par, nothing more to say other that it was “Mr. Hogan.”

1962:   Jack Nicklaus, one-under par. The only man in golf with 18 majors.

1973:   Johnny Miller, five-under.  All you have to say is “Miller’s Miracle.”

1983:  Larry Nelson, four-under. Golf’s most disrespected multiple-major winner.

1994:  Ernie Els, five-under par. One of the best swings ever in golf.

2007:  Angel Cabrera, five-over par. Great wins at Oakmont and a winner of The Green Jacket as well.

Which brings us to 2016 and a field headed by the top three players in golf — Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.

All three more than capable.

But as you can see, the odds are that is will be a Hall of Fame quality player who will prevail this week.

There are maybe 20 players in the field who can win at this venue.

The only tricky question is — which one?