ARDMORE, Pa. – For only the second time ever, past U.S. Open winners gathered at Merion Golf Club for a champions dinner Tuesday night, much like the one at the Masters each year.
The idea for the dinner had gained momentum prior to last year’s U.S. Open and included a wide range of champions, from 91-year-old Jack Fleck to 24-year-old Rory McIlroy.
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“It was fun; I enjoyed it,” 2003 champion Jim Furyk said. “A lot of the guys who aren’t competing in this event anymore, it really meant a lot to them. They were inquiring as to how we can do it more often and I think those of us who are still competing, it was special for us, too. I got to interact with the guys I looked up to, the guys I watched when I was younger, some of them I competed against. To see it was special for them made it even more special for me.”
The only previous U.S. Open champions dinner took place prior to the 2000 edition of the event at Pebble Beach.