John McDermott
2 Major Championships • 48th All-Time
Major Championship Wins
About John McDermott
John McDermott won 2 major championships during a 1-year span, with the first coming in 1911.
Learn more: Wikipedia
Career Highlights
- 1911 U.S. Open — First American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, triumphing at Chicago Golf Club in a three-way playoff
- Youngest Champion — Remains the youngest U.S. Open winner in history at just 19 years, 10 months, and 14 days old
- 1912 U.S. Open — Successfully defended his title, becoming the first player to break par over 72 holes in a significant event
- 1910 Runner-Up — Lost in 18-hole playoff to Alex Smith at Philadelphia Cricket Club after tying at 298
- World-Class — Considered one of the world's top golfers from 1910-1914
- Breaking the Streak — Ended the British dominance after 16 consecutive U.S. Opens won by British-born golfers
Did You Know?
- High-Stakes Confidence: In early 1911, before his U.S. Open win, McDermott challenged Philadelphia-area professionals to $1,000 matches. After winning three straight, the competition dried up — nobody wanted to play him anymore
- Mailman's Son: McDermott was the son of a Philadelphia mailman who dropped out of West Philadelphia High School to work as a caddie at Aronimink Golf Club, eventually becoming a two-time major champion by age 20
- Flowing Swing: Golf historian Robert Sommers described McDermott's swing as "long, loose, flowing...somewhat like the old St. Andrew's swing of the feather-ball period, but with more body turn" — a style that made him legendary