Pressure Cooker

Ed. note: This look back at the 1930 U.S. Open – during the week that the 120th edition had been scheduled at Winged Foot – is the fourth in a series of remembrances of memorable years in tournament history.

There always will be debates about the toughest golf course. And you can spend hours arguing which championship is the most prestigious. But there is one thing on which almost every golfer agrees: The most difficult golf tournament to win is the one you are supposed to.

Think of Norman on Sunday at Augusta in 1996; Jack at Muirfield in ’72; Tiger as he entered the playoff with Bob May at Valhalla in 2000. Imagine the pressure. All eyes are on you and have been for weeks before the striking of the first shot. Every prognosticator has you pegged to win, not in a one-on-one contest with an inferior opponent, but against a full field of the best in the game.

Just thinking about it is enough to give you ulcers.

Bobby Jones Photo: Courtesy USGA Archives

So what must Bobby Jones have been thinking in 1930 as he boarded a c...