Question: Who was the First Golfer to Break Par Over Four Rounds in the U.S. Open?
Answer: A year after becoming the first golfer born in the United States to win the U.S. Open, Johnny McDermott became, in 1912, the first golfer to break par in the tournament. McDermott posted rounds of 74-75-74-71 for a 294 total. At the par-74 Country Club of Buffalo (N.Y.), that was good for 2-under par.
McDermott earned the distinction of first to break just one year after the use of par began by the USGA in its championships. The USGA's tournament summary notes this:
"The use of 'par' came into official national usage in 1911 when the USGA defined it as 'perfect play without flukes and under ordinary weather conditions, always allowing two strokes on each putting green.' "
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