Fred Herd

The British Open had been extended to 72 holes seven years earlier. The USGA decided to do the same in 1898. It also separated the Amateur and the Open Championships. The Open was played in June at the Myopia Hunt Club, South Hamilton, Mass., on a nine-hole course which required the competitors to go around eight times in the two allotted days.

Fred Herd, a Scottish professional at the Washington Park course, Chicago, did the rounds in 84-85-75-84-328 to win. Alex Smith was second; he was later to win twice.