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US Open memories
What's the most memorable US Open moment?
Last updated: 19th June 2009
This year's US Open at Bethpage Black is set to provide golf fans with many more magical memories.
Major championships always tend to throw up something special - and the US Open is no different - and there have been some astonishing performances in the event's proud history.
From Jack Nicklaus to Colin Montgomerie, from Tom Watson to Tiger Woods, the world's greatest golfers have experienced some incredible highs and lows in the US Open.
With this year's event already underway, we asked our panel of Golf Night experts to delve into their memory banks and reveal the US Open moments that they simply can't get out of their heads.
Rob Lee, Di Stewart, John Hawksworth, Richard Boxall and Denis Pugh all shared their thoughts with us and you can share their memories below.
Why not share your own memories with us using the feedback form at the bottom of the page?
And don't forget to tune in for live coverage of the US Open all weekend on Sky Sports.
Rob Lee: I've got three standout memories. There's Tom Watson's chip-in at the back of the 71st hole at Pebble Beach when he beat Jack Nicklaus in 1982. He missed the 17th green to the left and it was downhill all the way and he told his caddie he was going to chip it in. He did it perfectly and pointed to his caddie as he started running! That was a fantastic moment, but I also have to mention the whole of Tiger Woods' performance last year, which was incredible. Another memorable one, for all of the wrong reasons, was Colin Montgomerie standing in the middle of the fairway in 2006. After holing an amazing putt at the 17th, all he had to do was knock it onto the green and two-putt to win - but he made a pig's ear of it. I was willing Monty to get his major, but it just wasn't to be.
Di Stewart: Last year was simply awesome. For Tiger to win playing with such a painful injury was incredible and Rocco Mediate's performance was also outstanding. I still get goosebumps watching the footage from last year and Tiger's reactions to some of the putts he holed will go down in television history. An amazing battle at Torrey Pines that golf fans will always remember.
John Hawksworth: There's a few memories that spring to mind. I would probably pick out Hale Irwin holing that 45-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole in 1990 - and of course Tiger Woods holing that putt to get into the play-off last year. To do that despite the leg injury he had was absolutely incredible. Also Tom Watson chipping in on the 17th around Pebble Beach in 1982 and Woods winning by 15 shots around Pebble Beach in 2000. He spread-eagled the field and it was just a ridiculous performance from a superhuman golfer that day.
Richard Boxall: I will never forget when Jack Nicklaus beat Isao Aoki in 1980, producing an absolutely wonderful shot into the 18th as he did so. I would also pick out Tiger Woods' putt last year to get into the play-off, which was something extremely special. Tom Kite's win in 1992, when I thought Monty was going to win, was also pretty memorable.
Denis Pugh: I must make this clear that this is not a happy memory, but it is the one that sticks in my mind. It is Colin Montgomerie taking double bogey at Winged Foot in 2006, a really upsetting moment because we all though he was going to get that much-deserved major. It is my least favourite memory, but it was certainly memorable!
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