With Colorado native Wyndham Robert Clark leading the U. S. Open after 36 holes at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian David Plati has been busy featuring two University of Colorado golfers who captured the national “Open”.
On cubuffs.com, Plati wrote an article on Steve Jones, who overcame several injuries to win the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Mich., on June 16.
As Plati wrote, “Though assorted injuries and an irregular heart rhythm cost him about a third of his professional career, the 67-year-old Jones, though essentially retired, is still allowed to play in up to four Champions events a year. He has played in one this season, tying for 60th in the Hoad Classic, but had a respectable 1-under par 70-72-70—212 scorecard.”
On Monday, a podcast interview with Plati and Jim Saccomano will be posted on the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame website featuring Hale Irwin, who won U.S. Open titles in 1974, 1979, and 1990.
Jones (Yuma High) and Irwin (Boulder High) are the only two U.S. Open winners who attended both their state high schools and college in Colorado. Both are members of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame; Irwin has also been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
A Valor Christian prep product, Clark carded an even-par final round of 70 to win the 2023 U.S. Open on June 18 at the Los Angeles Country Club, beating Rory McIlroy by one stroke. Clark won in his 7th career major start, where his previous best finish was a tie for 75th.
