It took 16 years before an American won the U.S. Open?

The first U.S. Open was played in 1895, but the championship was dominated by British-born professionals during its early years. England’s Horace Rawlins won the inaugural event, followed by champions such as James Foulis, Willie Anderson, Alex Smith and George Sargent.

It was not until 1911 that an American-born golfer finally lifted the trophy. At just 19 years old, John J. McDermott Jr. defeated the field at Chicago Golf Club to become the first American-born U.S. Open champion. He successfully defended his title the following year in 1912, becoming the first player to win the championship twice.

McDermott’s victory represented a turning point in American golf. Until then, many of the game’s leading professionals had come from Scotland, England and Ireland. His success proved that American golfers could compete at the highest level and helped inspire the rapid growth of golf across the United States.