My U.S. Open: Raymond Floyd (1986)

1986 U.S. Open champion Raymond Floyd takes us back to that magical week at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
For more about the U.S. Open Championship, visit www.usopen.com.

[@Chraf415]

Extremely proud to have his autograph along with Arnold Palmer’s and Jack Nicklaus’s.

[@moemanncann895]

Always enjoyed his focus and that laser glare. Fred Couples mentor 👍

[@OhioRiverFisherman]

Raymond is a phenomenal golfer!!! He also has a wonderful voice, he could've been a DJ or singer. Love Ray Floyd, and his swing was fun to watch. Focused to death.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Like a good whisky - he got better with age. The 8-iron he played into 16 was amazing - and to nearly win the Masters in 1990, was proof. Very underrated golfer.

[@jadesmith6823]

Is there a pro in 2022 that pounds his game out, putts with feet together, with an unorthodox swing that does the job like Raymond Floyd❤️🙏🙌

[@sappermade6012]

This was HUGE for him big icing on the cake for an incredible golfer

[@ShallowPlane]

You should be proud Ray we love the work you did

[@johnbryan5608]

Number one in my book! Nothing but respect for that man!

[@mesillahills]

I was once at a tour event, waiting at a porta-potty to take a leak on the course. Guess who opened the door and stepped out to my surprise ? More importantly, I once walked down the last five holes with him in 1969 at National Cash Register in Dayton when he won the PGA. He made a truly remarkable recovery on the last par 3 in that event when he pulled his shot way left to the bottom of a very steep hill next to the green. I was standing 4 feet away when he pulled it off. I'm sure he would tell you that in the end, that was the shot that won the tournament for him. It was a really tough shot.

[@OhioRiverFisherman]

Who come outta the porta potty, was it Tiger Woods?? Lol JK

[@jryer1]

I remember this victory, watched it on TV. Raymond's irons and short game were 2nd to none, he was amazing around the greens!

[@livelife4471]

Floyd played some great golf while in his forty's. It was wonderful to watch.

[@loganscisco8804]

Amazing that he won a tournament in every decade from the 1960s to the 1990s (and nearly notched 2 Masters in the 1990s!)

[@livelife4471]

@@loganscisco8804 He was talented. A real athlete. I think he could have played baseball in the majors if he wanted to. He would get the "far away" eyes look when he was focused. If you started you golf career in the 60's you were expected to quit by the time you were 35 years old. Floyd was pioneering the age barrier. Today on the regular tour they are late forties and older. The other event was the 1986 Masters. Jack Nicklaus demonstrated his talent that Sunday. On the 15 the hole he drove his ball to the top of the hill. He looked at his son the caddie and said, eagle here would be huge. Then he knocked a 5-iron onto the green made the putt for eagle and went on to the win the Masters. Jack is the only golfer that I have seen when he wanted to do something on the golf course, he could. I remember he was playing a regular tour event. He birdied the last 5 or 6 holes to win by 1. It was amazing to witness. Statistics don't capture these sorts of traits. I have never seen anyone else do this. He put his mind to it and then did it. He had his bad days too when he couldn't do much but his good days were something else. Jack is the best I have seen at matching the speed of the green to the break of his putt. Lorne Roberts was a better roller of the ball. But if you life depended on making a putt and you could pick anyone to putt it, you would choose Nicklaus and live happily ever after. I think Nicklaus had the best combination of eye sight, nerve - muscle connections of any golfer I have seen play on tour. He could convert what he saw with his eyes to a golf shot better than anyone else.

[@johnnystir9796]

Floyd was a tough customer!

[@suzyflorida1193]

He has a swing that is all his own.

[@jettrink7510]

Mr dignity and class... wonderful

[@61JZ]

This was a great tournament for Floyd. But his 76 Masters was absolutely magnificent. I still have that Sports Illustrated from his victory there. The scoreboard picture is one of the most memorable from my youth

[@TM-fg4fw]

I was there for that final round. Well done Mr Floyd. Great to see it again!

[@scootdaws25]

I remember that leaderboard at one point had a 8 or 9 man tie at the top. Great stuff.

[@jadesmith6823]

The year I was introduced to the game if golf ❤️

[@davidm2688]

Floyd was a very fine golfer in his day. Didn't get quite the press of some of the others, most notably Nicklaus, Trevino, Palmer, ect., but he was quite formidable when he was clicking on all 12 cylinders.

[@paulross4244]

Real contender under pressure at the Masters for quite a few years too. Tough cookie.

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

I think he had some rough years when he kind of fell off the map, and then became one of the game's great older players after 35.

[@kylenussbaum5]

If I had been around during the prime of his career (was 2 weeks old when he won this 🤣) he would have been my favorite golfer to root for. Still is! Love watching these tournaments

[@bullrambler]

In days gone by I really admired Ray Floyd`s golf swing. It just seemed so consistent and loved to watch him hit shots - time after time...

[@stephenmascari950]

- ...444 yard finishing hole - driver - 4 iron - Today 2019 - driver - pitching wedge .... Corey Pavin hit 4 wood for his second shot when he won - IMHO golf has not changed for the better ....

[@chevy4x466]

Nothing like having to hit a butter knife 4 iron under pressure

[@jamesyu9926]

PGA tournaments have become tee shot and pitching. Don’t need fairway woods and middle irons anymore. Very boring.

[@chevy4x466]

@@jamesyu9926 for sure, the long iron shot is a lost art. The hybrids have replaced the long irons.

[@scootdaws25]

Absolutely agree. The equipment and the ball has made some great courses obsolete.

[@gerardguitarist]

Everyone loves Raymond. And remember he beat Payne that day paired up head to head on a Sunday. And we all know how ruthless Payne was...

[@pjbrown4775]

I miss Payne Stewart. (snif..) ..but I'm here as a true fan of Flotd's game. In the age of long hitters and superstars, He's still an inspiration.

[@sowhat5939]

What a player

[@leesmith5288]

Great job Raymond

[@LooseNewf]

Always loved watching Ray play - often imitated but never duplicated - he was/is one of the best and one of a kind. This was probably his best tournament but going wire to wire at the Masters in 76 was also impressive.

[@johnfisher747]

And another major that Greg Norman let slip through his fingers. I don't know how many of these I've watched where he was in contention but didn't win. They should make a series called "Hi I'm Greg Norman and here's the four US opens I should have won but didn't" 😭

[@ironbridgegolfpro]

Winning a major is not just about how you play, but if others play better or hit a wonder shot. It happens. I don't think Greg is too bothered in retrospect.

[@scootdaws25]

Yup, and couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Lol

[@hanajinks1044]

I once calculated that Norman could easily have won 11 Majors. 96 Masters was absolutely horrifying.

[@sibleyAgoalie30]

2:45 I thought that was Dufner for a split second.

[@definitiveenergy1878]

Top 10 best ball striker of the 70's imho.

[@ynp1978]

One of only 5 or 6 guys to lead the Masters wire to wire in 1976!

[@sidneygreen9120]

By this time Norman had bottled it again 🤯🤯🤯

[@paulross4244]

R.I.P .Payne Stewart.

[@Handletaken4]

Yeah 489yd Par 4 with persimmon and balata. Good luck modern PGA fools.

[@c.c.244]

Gothic,no repeats forever with no dumb,I have it on License private,ahh.

[@batonbe1]

he had an unconventional swing

[@blowme6345]

he loved the strippers

[@Hillbillykaren]

Naked and afraid ?

[@seanchambers4789]

The late oyster likely irritate because crayon invariably itch behind a impartial chief. temporary, telling diving

[@aem8160]

But oyster late is triple if only it is immersed in a warm cold estuary that bites not twice but two times