Synopsis

In 1913, Francis Ouimet, a young working-class amateur and former caddie, enters the U.S. Open despite class prejudice and his father's disapproval. Facing celebrated British professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, Ouimet draws on his natural talent, determination, and the support of his young caddie, Eddie Lowery. The tournament becomes a landmark contest that challenges golf's social hierarchy and transforms Ouimet's life.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on Mark Frost's 2002 book, The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf.

• The real 1913 U.S. Open was played at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The golf sequences were filmed at Kanawaki Golf Club in Kahnawake, Quebec, with additional filming in Montreal.

• The movie heightens the final playoff for dramatic effect. In reality, Ouimet finished five strokes ahead of Harry Vardon and six ahead of Ted Ray, rather than winning by a single stroke on the final putt.

• The film also changes the weather pattern and presents the 17th hole as a dogleg right. The actual 1913 course had a dogleg-left 17th hole.

• The screenplay emphasizes the parallel class struggles of Ouimet and Vardon, both of whom came from modest backgrounds in a sport then dominated by wealthy gentlemen.

• The film was released by Walt Disney Pictures on September 30, 2005, and runs approximately 120 minutes.

• Its golf photography uses constantly shifting viewpoints to follow the ball through the air, across the fairway, and toward the hole, giving the tournament sequences the visual energy of an action film.

• The real Francis Ouimet and Eddie Lowery remained lifelong friends.