10 interesting facts about the U.S. Open

The United States Open gets underway Thursday at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin.

The USGA's biggest event is considered the toughest examination in all of golf, thanks to thick roughs and fast greens, and it's played on some of the best courses in the United States.

Here are 10 interesting facts about the Open.

1. The first U.S. Open was held at Newport Country Club in October 1895, won by Horace Rawlins of England. Rawlins took home $150 for the victory in Rhode Island.

2. Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh has held the most Opens with nine, while Baltusrol in New Jersey is second with seven. The Pennsylvania course staged its first United States Open in 1927, and will host its 10th championship in 2025. Oakmont was also the site of Johnny Miller's final-round 63 in 1973, the lowest 18-hole score in championship history.

3. Hale Irwin became the oldest champion at the age of 45, when he beat Mike Donald in a Monday playoff at Medinah Country Club in 1990. John McDermott remains the youngest winner, when he claimed the 1911 Open at Chicago Golf Club.

4. Tiger Woods' 15-stroke win in 2000 at Pebble Beach is the largest margin of victory in any major championship. Woods' 12-under total was also the first time a player finished the U.S. Open at least 10 strokes under par.

5. Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus share the record for most United States Open titles, each with four victories to their name.

6. The 1948 U.S. Open at Riviera Golf Club in Los Angeles was the first time the tournament was played on the West Coast, and the 7,020-yard layout was the longest Open at the time.

7. The U.S. Open Championship Trophy is 18 inches in height and weighs approximately 8.5 pounds. It's the second version of the trophy, after the original was destroyed in a fire. The champion also receives a gold medal, named after Jack Nicklaus.

8. Phil Mickelson owns the record for most runner-up results in the Open with six. Mickelson's first second-place result came in 1999 at Pinehurst, while his most recent was in 2013 at Merion.

9. After the USGA experienced an increase in entries, the organization conducted the first sectional qualifying event in 1924.

10. Ken Venturi's 1964 victory at Congressional was the last time the U.S. Open was decided with a 36-hole Saturday finish.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)