Lee Janzen - Part 2 (The 1993 U.S. Open)
In Part 2 of our special four-part conversation with two-time U.S. Open Champion Lee Janzen, we pick up his inspiring journey as a young professional grinding his way toward PGA Tour success. Lee candidly shares the struggles he faced from 1986 to 1989, navigating mini-tours and Monday qualifiers with limited resources and an unwavering determination to make it to the big stage.
Hear firsthand how Lee’s perseverance paid off, culminating in his breakthrough win at the 1992 Northern Telecom Open. He reflects on the hard lessons learned during those early years—stories filled with sacrifice, emotional setbacks, and self-discovery. Lee also recounts the experience of capturing his second PGA Tour victory at the 1993 Phoenix Open under challenging, windy conditions, and how that win reinforced his place among golf’s elite.
The conversation builds toward his life-changing first major triumph: the 1993 U.S. Open at storied Baltusrol Golf Club. Lee walks us through the mental and emotional preparation that helped him perform under the intense pressure of major championship golf, including key advice he received from legends like Jack Nicklaus and psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella.
With vivid memories of pivotal shots—including his unforgettable chip-in at 16—and honest insights into the nerves, strategy, and resilience it took to outlast Payne Stewart and a field packed with Hall of Famers, Lee gives listeners an intimate look at what it truly means to become a U.S. Open Champion.
Don’t miss this compelling chapter in Lee Janzen’s remarkable career, as he shares the triumphs, heartbreaks, and personal growth that shaped his path to golf history.
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About
"FORE the Good of the Game” is a golf podcast featuring interviews with World Golf Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around the game of golf. Highlighting the positive aspects of the game, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by PGA Tour star Bruce Devlin, our podcast focuses on telling their life stories, in their voices. Join Bruce and Mike Gonzalez “FORE the Good of the Game.”
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Janzen, Lee
Golf Professional
Lee McLeod Janzen (born August 28, 1964) is an American professional golfer who is best known for winning the U.S. Open twice in 1993 and 1998. He currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions, and was an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour.
Early years and amateur career
Janzen was born in Austin, Minnesota, and spent most of his childhood in Baltimore, Maryland, where he played Little League baseball. When Janzen was 12, his father's company transferred him to Florida and his parents started him in golf and tennis, and he continued playing baseball. Janzen liked golf best and started playing that sport exclusively. He won his first tournament at age 15 as a member of the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association.
Janzen chose to attend a small college – Florida Southern. In 1985 and 1986, Florida Southern won the NCAA Division II national team championship. Janzen was the individual champion in 1986. He turned professional later that same year.
Professional career
In 1989, Janzen joined the PGA Tour. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour, most notably the 1993 and 1998 U.S. Opens. In 1993, Janzen defeated Payne Stewart at Baltusrol in Springfield, New Jersey, en route to tying the 72-hole U.S. Open scoring record of 8-under-par. Five years later, he again beat out Stewart to win his second U.S. Open, this time at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. He overcame a five stroke deficit on Sunday, marking the best final-round comeback in a U.S. Open for 25 years since Johnny Miller's win in 1973.
Janzen also notched a victory at The Pl… Read More
