Thursday, June 13, 2002
U.S. Open Facts & Figures
The Course: The Black Course is one of five 18-hole courses at Bethpage State Park, the largest public golf facility in the world. Robert Moses, president of the Long Island State Park Commission, brought in A.W. Tillinghast to design the courses. Golf Digest magazine research shows parks superintendent Joe Burbeck as the architect of the Black Course, with Tillinghast as the consultant. The Black opened in 1936, and about 30,000 rounds are played on it each year. The price is $31 for weekdays, $39 on the weekend. It is the first course owned by taxpayers to hold a U.S. Open.
Length: 7,214 yards.
Par: 35-35—70.
Format: 72 holes (18 daily) stroke play.
Cut: Top 60 and ties, and anyone within 10 strokes of the lead after 36 holes.
Playoff, if necessary: 18 holes on June 17.
Field: 156 (152 professionals, four amateurs)
Purse: $5.5 million.
Winner's share: $1 million.
Defending champion: Retief Goosen.
Last year: Two putts and 12 feet away from victory, Retief Goosen of South Africa three-putted the 72nd hole to fall into a playoff with Mark Brooks, who earlier took three putts from 40 feet. They finished at 276, one stroke ahead of Stewart Cink, who missed an 18-inch putt on the final hole. Goosen built a five-shot lead in the playoff, and shot a 70 to defeat Brooks by two strokes.
Getting longer: The Black Course is the longest in U.S. Open history by one yard over Congressional in 1997. The 12th hole is 499 yards, the longest par 4 in U.S. Open history. No. 10, at 492 yards, will be the second-longest par 4 in Open history.
Tiger's Trail: Tiger Woods will try to become the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1972 to win the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year.
Noteworthy: For the first time in U.S. Open history, players will start on either No. 1 or No. 10 in the first two rounds.
Quoteworthy: “If there's any symbolism, it's that everybody has access, and that the USGA is not discerning between public and private. They're choosing a championship golf course.” — David Duval.
Former champions in the field: Retief Goosen (2001), Tiger Woods (2000), Lee Janzen (1993, 1998), Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Steve Jones (1996), Corey Pavin (1995), Tom Kite (1992), Hale Irwin (1974, 1979, 1990).
Television (all times EDT): Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-7 p.m., ESPN; 3 p.m.-5 p.m., NBC. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., NBC. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., NBC. Playoff (if necessary), noon to 2 p.m., ESPN; 2 p.m. to conclusion, NBC.
Complete golf coverage and Tristate golf course guide
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U.S. Open Facts & Figures 
