[1][2] Willie Anderson, three-time defending champion and club pro at Onwentsia, was the heavy favorite.

[3] He trailed Alex Smith by two strokes after the first 36 holes on Thursday,[4] and by three after the third round on Friday morning, but an 84 that afternoon dropped him to a distant fifth.

Smith posted rounds of 73-74-73-75 for 295, a U.S. Open record and the first sub-300 winning score.

Not only did his brother Willie finish in second, his brother-in-law James Maiden tied for third.

[1] Smith's win marked the end of a streak where Scottish-born players won seven consecutive major championships.