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. ... Two-time British Open winner Willie Park Jr. tried to be the first real golf star to play in the tournament, sailing from England with the intention to enter the U.S. Open. But his ship was delayed and Park only arrived the day after the tournament ended.
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 |