Memorable moments from Bethpage Black’s history

The best golfers in the world will descend upon New York and Bethpage State Park’s famous Black Course for the 2019 PGA Championship in May.

But this isn’t the first time that this difficult Long Island gem has hosted a major championship. The 2002 and 2009 editions of the U.S. Open were staged at Bethpage Black. Additionally, The Barclays (Now The Northern Trust) was held at the course in 2012 and 2016 as part of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Here’s a look back at some of the best moments that have happened at these four events which set the stage for an exciting PGA Championship:

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2002 U.S. Open

Only one player finished under par during the 2002 U.S. Open, and it allowed him to capture his eighth major championship and second U.S. Open win. Yes, we are of course talking about Tiger Woods. 

Woods led wire-to-wire at Bethpage as Phil Mickelson finished runner-up for the second of now six times in his career at the U.S. Open.

Here’s a look back at his incredible performance:

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2009 U.S. Open

Unlike the 2002 edition of the U.S. Open at Bethpage, the 2009 championship featured several players under par. But that doesn’t mean the course — and Mother Nature — didn’t still present difficult challenges. The rain was an issue from the start of the week, suspending play throughout the rounds and forcing a Monday finish.

Following a 1-under opening round that left him five shots off the lead of Mike Weir, Lucas Glover carded an incredible 6-under 64 round to leave him one shot back of Ricky Barnes, who set the U.S. Open 36-hole scoring record with an 8-under 132.

The final round had the 54-hole leaders of Barnes and Glover come back to the field, but it was Glover who was able to hold on and capture the win Monday with a 3-over 73.

The other notable record-breaking performance was that Mickelson finished runner-up for a fifth U.S. Open, breaking the record of four set by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead and Bobby Jones.

2012 The Barclays

Nick Watney rebounded from a rough season to take down Sergio Garcia, who entered the final round with a two-shot lead. Watney finished at 10-under for the tournament, three shots clear of runner-up Brandt Snedeker.

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2016 The Barclays

Rickie Fowler held the lead early in the final round, but it was Patrick Reed who held on for a one-shot lead over Emiliano Grillo and Sean O’Hair to win the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. 

Outside of the leaders, it was Jason Day’s putt on the 15th which went down as one of the best putts of that season.

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