Curtis Strange is one of only six players to have ever won back - to - back U.S. Open title , and the only one to do so in the last 40 years .
When he accomplished the effort in 1988 - 89 , it was the signal achievement of a five - class span during which Strange win 12 tourney and led the money lean three fourth dimension .
Strange ’s beginner , Tom , was a Virginia lodge master who had played in the U.S. Open . He die when Curtis was 14 .
Strange built an undischarged amateur record , with his most telling triumph coming as a freshman at Wake Forest in the 1974 NCAA Championships . He double birdie the concluding cakehole there to earn both the individual and team title .
foreign also won the 1973 Southeastern Amateur , the 1974 Western Amateur , the 1975 Eastern Amateur , and the 1975 and ' 76 North and South Amateurs . A long slugger in his amateur days , Strange throttled back when he change by reversal pro in rules of order to realise more control .
foreign left college in his next-to-last year to turn pro in 1976 , but he did n’t mark his first Tour profits until the last event of 1979 . He blossomed in 1985 when he won three time and led themoneylist . Strange ’s finest season descend in 1987 and ' 88 when he top the Tour in earnings each year , add up more than $ 2 million .
Going into the 1988 U.S. Open , Strange had done nearly everything except win a major championship . He finally claimed his first major at The Country Club , have up - and - down from a bunker on the 72nd pickle and then defeating Nick Faldo in a playoff .
Strange defended the U.S. capable form of address the next year , extend a falteringTom Kiteon the final Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at Oak Hill with a unit of ammunition that include 16 par , one shuttlecock , and one bogey .
unusual challenge for a third square loose title in 1990 before drop back in the final round . He later admit he miss his need for the next duet of years , and he also had forcible problems . His driveway and his wellness later render , but his secret plan did n’t make it all the way back . He remained winless in the 1990s .
