10 Great U.S. Open Duels
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10 Great U.S. Open Duels
There may never be another Tiger vs. Rocco, but these showdowns were some of the best in
the fight for the national championship
10. 1929 Bobby Jones vs. Al Espinosa
294-294 (Jones won playoff, 141-164)
Needing just three bogies and a par over the final four holes to clinch his third Open, Bobby Jones almost pulled a Mickelson when he hacked his way to a triple-bogey 7 at Winged Foot West's 15th hole, then three-putted the 16th from 20 feet. At 18, however, Jones managed to hole a 12-foot left-to-right slider with a foot of break to force a playoff with Espinosa. Ever the gentleman, Jones requested a later Sunday start to the playoff so that Espinosa, who was a devout Catholic, could attend morning church services. After that, Jones conducted a sermon on perfect golf. His scores of 72-69 bested Espinosa by 23 shots.
