The 1898 U.S. Open was the fourth U.S. Open, held June 17–18 at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, northeast of Boston. Fred Herd captured his only major title, seven strokes ahead of runner-up Alex Smith.
For the first time, the U.S. Open was expanded to 72 holes, meaning the players had to complete eight loops around Myopia's 9-hole course. Herd trailed leader Willie Anderson by six shots after 36 holes on Friday, but his 75 in the third round on Saturday morning was the low round of the championship and gave him a six-shot advantage after 54 holes. Despite an 84 in the afternoon for 328, Herd prevailed over Alex Smith by seven, with Anderson finishing in third. Only Herd and Smith managed to break 80 in any round of the championship.
Herd's fondness for liquor was well-known; after his win, tournament officials required him to leave a deposit to prevent him from selling the trophy for drinking money. His brother Sandy won The Open Championship in 1902.
Round summaries First round Friday, June 17, 1898 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 Alex Smith 78T2 Willie Anderson 81 Herbert Leeds (a)4 Willie Smith 825 John Jones83T6 John Harland 84 Fred Herd Willie HoareT9 Willie Dunn, Jr.85 Robert McAndrews J.H. Mercer Harry Turpie Source:
Second round Friday, June 17, 1898 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScore1 Willie Anderson 81-82=1632 Alex Smith 78-86=1643 Herbert Leeds (a) 81-84=165T4 John Jones 83-84=167 Joe Lloyd 87-80=1676 Willie Hoare 84-84=1687 Fred Herd 84-85=169T8 Willie Dunn, Jr. 85-87=172 Harry Turpie 85-87=172T10 Bernard Nicholls 86-87=173 Willie Smith 82-91=173 Source:
Third round Saturday, June 18, 1898 (morning) PlacePlayerScore1 Fred Herd 84-85-75=244T2 Willie Anderson 81-82-87=250 Alex Smith 78-86-86=2504 Joe Lloyd 87-80-86=2535 Willie Hoare 84-84-87=2556 John Jones 83-84-90=257T7 Herbert Leeds (a) 81-84-93=258 Willie Smith 82-91-85=258 Harry Turpie 85-87-86=25810 Willie Dunn, Jr. 85-87-87=259 Source:
Final round Saturday, June 18, 1898 (afternoon) PlacePlayerScoreMoney ($)1 Fred Herd 84-85-75-84=328 1502 Alex Smith 78-86-86-85=335 1003 Willie Anderson 81-82-87-86=336 504 Joe Lloyd 87-80-86-86=339 255 Willie Smith 82-91-85-82=340 106 Willie Hoare 84-84-87-87=342 07 Willie Dunn, Jr. 85-87-87-85=344T8 John Jones 83-84-90-90=347 Herbert Leeds (a) 81-84-93-89=347 Robert McAndrews 85-90-86-86=347 Bernard Nicholls 86-87-88-86=347 Source:
Amateurs: Leeds (347), Curtis (356), Tyng (361), Shaw (364), Sweny (384), Rutherford (388).
References
External links 1898 U.S. Open USGA Championship Database