Bobby Jones: Made the US Open his own in the '20s

Francis Ouimet, a 20-year-old American amateur, stunned the golf world by defeating the famous English professionals, Vardon and Ted Ray, in a play-off.

Before long the Americans were firmly on top.

The championship's popularity surged in time with the amazing career of Georgia amateur Bobby Jones, who won the US Open four times (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930).

And the transition of power was effectively confirmed following Scot Tommy Armour's victory in 1927 which preceeded a 38-year drought for Europe's golfers.

American stranglehold

That period belonged to Ben Hogan, whose steely determination boosted him to four victories (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953).

And Arnold Palmer, whose record comeback win in 1960, when he fired a final round of 65 to come from seven strokes off the lead, cemented his dashing image.

Jacklin: First British winner for 50 years

It wasn't until 1965 that South African Gary Player broke the Americans' stranglehold.

Five years later England's Tony Jacklin became the first Briton to win for 50 years when finished seven shots clear of the field, the largest wining margin since 1921.

By then Jack Nicklaus had already bagged the first of his four US Open Championships, in 1962 during his rookie season as a professional.

Further victories followed in 1967, 1972, and 1980, as once again the foreign-born players struggled to make an impression of golf's toughest tournament.

Europe hits back

David Graham's victory in 1981 was a lone victory for Australia - although the 35-year-old had long since emigrated to the States.

The 1980s saw a trio of top three finishes from the young Spaniard Severiano Ballesteros, with Australia's Greg Norman, England's Nick Faldo and Welshman Ian Woosnam taking runner up once apiece.

Nicklaus: Four victories in three decades

But it was not until the mid-1990s that the Americans really had a fight on their hands.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie was unfortunate to finish third in 1992 and though he missed out again two years later, this time it was to South African Ernie Els.

Els was the coolest man on the course as he clinched victory from Loren Roberts at a second extra hole of a sudden death play-off.

Earlier he had matched Roberts stride for stride over an 18-hole play-off (which had seen the demise of Montgomerie in a flurry of triple bogeys).

Monty was the disappointed man again when Els recorded the second of his US Open victories three years later.

Links lottery

And the South African might have made it a rare triple crown at last year's Pebble Beach tournament had it not been for a certain Tiger Woods, who scorched to a 15-stroke victory.

But only five Americans, including the champion Woods, were among the top 11 players that tied for eighth place or higher.

Els: Only non-American to win the US Open in the last 20 years

Els finished in second level with Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and the top ten was packed with non-natives.

Lee Westwood (Eng), Padraig Harrington (Ire), Nick Faldo (Eng)and Vijay Singh (Fij) making up the supporting cast.

However things may not be so rosy for the foreign charge at this year's event.

Last year's tournament was played over Pebble Beach, which mirrors other links-style courses such as St Andrews and other European PGA Tour venues.