1896 U.S. Open: First Controversy
Winner: James Foulis, 152
Where it was played: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York
Tournament dates: July 28, 1896
Leader after first round: Willie Dunn, Willie Tucker, Joe Lloyd, John Shippen, Andrew Smith and James Foulis, 78
Notable Notes: After the first of two 18-hole rounds, six golfers shared the lead. But then James Foulis shot 74 in the second round to win by three strokes. One of those first-round co-leaders was African-American John Shippen, a caddie at the host club. Some of the other players tried to have him kicked out of the tournament, stating they wouldn't play if a black man was in the field. The USGA rejected the racist appeal and Shippen finished tied for fifth place. ... The runner-up, Horace Rawlins, had won the first U.S. Open one year earlier.
Final Scores
| James Foulis | 78-74—152 |
| Horace Rawlins | 79-76—155 |
| George Douglas | 79-79—158 |
| a-Andrew Smith | 78-80—158 |
| John Shippen | 78-81—159 |
| a-Henry Whigham | 82-77—159 |
| Joe Lloyd | 78-82—160 |
| Willie Tucker | 78-82—160 |
| Buff Wilson | 82-80—162 |
| Alfred Ricketts | 80-83—163 |
| Bert Way | 83-81—164 |
| Willie Dunn | 78-87—165 |
| William Davis | 83-84—167 |
| Willie Campbell | 85-85—170 |
| William Hoare | 90-81—171 |
| James Mackrell | 89-83—172 |
| Alexander Patrick | 86-86—172 |
| John Reid | 88-84—172 |
| Tom Gourley | 82-91—173 |
| John Patrick | 88-85—173 |
| Oscar Bunn | 89-85—174 |
| John Anson | 88-92—180 |
| George Strath | 91-89—180 |
| John Harrison | 92-91—183 |
| William Campbell | 91-93—184 |
| William Norton | 87-98—185 |
| R. Anderson | 92-95—187 |
| Thomas Warrender | 97-93—190 |
