The U.S. Open was n't even the main draw on the course that week ; spectators and golfers were much more preoccupied with the first playing of U.S . Olin Smith won the 1934 British open while suffering from amoebic pneumonia . In 1898 J.D . Smith shot a 157 in his opening round . Despite being called the British Open , most early players were British .
Olin Smith won the 1934 British open while suffering from amoebic pneumonia . In 1898 J.D . Smith shot a 157 in his opening round . Despite being called the British Open , most early players were British .