This Day in U.S. Open Golf--June 8

The 39th playing of the U.S. Open in 1935 was unlike any other to that point. Finishing on June 8 and played at tough Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, Sam Parks Jr. was the surprise winner, beating Jimmy Thomson by two and Walter Hagen by three. Parks was a local favorite who played out of South Hills Country Club in nearby Pittsburgh. Prior to the '35 playing, the championship had been dominated by foreign players at first, then American winner Francis Ouimet in 1913 spurred a turnaround by the Yanks. Along came amateur stars Chick Evans and Bobby Jones, plus Hagen and Gene Sarazen. Today the U.S. Open is well-known for, "Unknown leads Open" headlines, but in 1935, that wasn't a catchphrase yet, so Parks' victory was indeed a win for the little guy.