New Zealand’s Michael Campbell was the last to win the Open Trophy at Pinehusst during his mind blowing come from behind victory in 2005.

Campbell quickly caught and passed third day leader and defending Champion Retief Goosen, while holding off an American named Tiger Woods who had just won the Masters back in April of that same year, (this Tiger guy went over to St. Andrews in Scotland a month later to win his second Claret Jug and tenth Major Championship).

Campbell’s victory is a story that can’t be made up. You see both Tiger and Goosen didn’t travel the same road to the first tee at 80 Carolina Vista Drive as Campbell. The proud New Zealander went through sectional qualifying in Surrey England which the USGA had introduced for European qualifying for the first time ever.

Campbell’s incredible story started on the 18th hole of the Walton Heath Golf Club across the pond long before he came to North Carolina to win his first and only major. His confidence grew after he drained a six foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure his spot in the 105 US Open. That putt was followed by consistent play throughout the tournament that ultimately led to Campbell’s place in golfs immortality.

Campbell’s story can only be matched by the incredible display of dramatics and theatre at Pinehurst #2 provided by Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson on Father’s Day in 1999. Stewart and Mickelson were the final pairing in what turned out to be one of the most memorable Sundays in US Open history.

Stewart was determined to finish the deal on that Sunday after a crushing defeat to Lee Janzen at The Olympic Club the previous year. Stewart was 3 under heading into the final round with a four shot lead that he let slip away with a final round 74. Stewart was no stranger to winning and had won the tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 1991. The winner was decided by an 18 hole playoff between Stewart and Scott Simpson. It was Stewart’s second major (1986 Masters Champion) and first US Open.

Ironically, the low amateur honors went to Phil Mickelson at Hazeltine in 1991 who turned out to be Stewart’s playing partner on the final day of the 1999 Open at Pinehurst #2. Stewart would not need extra holes to fend off the talented lefty. The two exchanged blows throughout the memorable final round until Stewart was able to birdie the difficult 191 yard par 3 seventeenth. He took a one shot lead into the final hole-a 446 yard par four that Stewart was unable to go for in two. Instead he positioned himself in the middle of the fairway for his third shot from about 78 yards out and hit a solid approach shot to 15 feet. Mickelson was on the green for birdie but was unable to capitalize on the 25 foot putt. It was now Stewarts turn to take advantage of a situation all golfers dream of having. One putt to win the US Open. Stewart’s putt was uphill making the challenge even more exciting knowing that he had already capitalized on a number of uphill putts throughout the weekend. Once the putt dropped the entire country witnessed a celebration that may go down as one of golf’s most dramatic finishes. The knicker wearing gentleman celebrated in a fashion that only he could have. He appeared to feel bad that he had won and told Mickelson that his time would come. However it was not on that day. Father’s Day belonged to William Payne Stewart and he shared it with his entire family on national television.

Tragically, Payne was unable to defend his title the following year after he was killed in a plane crash just four months after his incredible victory at Pinehurst #2. Golf lost a true ambassador and personality in Stewart one of which will never be seen again. It was fitting that Stewart’s final major came at Pinehurst #2 because of the similarities between both. Stewart like Pinehurst #2 was very unique and stood out from the rest.

This year’s tournament will provide a field full of potential champions. Perhaps this may be the year that Phil finally hoists the Open Trophy. His game is well suited for a run at the title because of his incredible length and touch around the greens. Phil’s recent personal problems will be on display for the entire golfing world to see which in turn may make it difficult for the hungry lefty. He is certainly not the only determined lefty in the field with championship experience. Bubba Watson is coming off of his second win at Augusta and has by quoted as saying he wants to make a run at the Grand Slam of Golf. Pinehurst #2 will be stop number two for Watson if he plans to achieve this incredible challenge. A number of foreign contenders will also take a run at the Open trophy including Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, and two time US Open Winner Retief Goosen. The field includes a number of American challengers as well including Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, and Matt Kuchar.

The tournament promises to be an exciting and dramatic test for all who accept it. When it is all said and done I will not be surprised to see an American Lefty capture the title. Phil is looking to complete the career Grand Slam while Bubba looks to continue his desire to take all four in the same year. Both stories will just add to the already historic energy that surrounds Pinehurst #2. I will take Bubba to win it this year but will certainly not be disappointed to see Phil do what he could not do back on Father’s Day in 1999.

Read part 1 of U.S. Open preview here.

Staff Picks:

Mike Walter - Bubba Watson

John Cross - Rory McIlroy (Weight of a Woman off his shoulders)

Eric Tolbert - Phil Mickelson