Willie Anderson (1880-1910), seen here holding the golf club, was the first person (and still one of only four) to win four U.S. Opens. He won those four in just five years, 1901-1905.  Three of them (1903-05) were won in succession, making Anderson the only golfer to win three U.S. Opens in a row.  In one 14-year stretch, 1897 to 1910, Anderson finished in the Top 10 ten times.  He also won four Western Opens (1902, 1904, 1908, 1909), an event that was the second-biggest pro event in the U.S. at the time.

Anderson carried only eight clubs, but that he was equally adept with each of them.  The World Golf Hall of Fame described him this way: "Anderson was a sturdy man, with muscular shoulders, brawny forearms and exceptionally large hands.  He played with a flat, full-sweeping action that was characteristic of the Scots and known as the 'St. Andrews swing.' Despite what many considered to be swing flaws, Anderson was consistently accurate."  In addition to his great playing record, Anderson was highly sought by other golfers as an instructor.  He died at age 30 in 1910 from arteriosclerosis, brought on by alcoholism.

Anderson was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975.