The season's third major championship of the year has arrived as the top players in the world descend upon the historic Torrey Pines for the 121st U.S. Open. Although a host site for several top-tier vents since the course was built in 1957, this U.S. Open will mark only the second time the USGA has selected the San Diego treasure as a host site.

The tree features clusters of five pine needles, and because it is protected, when some 30 Torrey pines were removed from the South Course they were simply relocated and transplanted.

Although early Spanish explorers certainly knew of the tree, Dr. Charles Christopher Parry, a botanist for the U.S.-Mexico Boundary Survey, officially discovered it. He named it for his mentor, Dr. John Torrey, who had co-written “A Flora of North America” and was the solo author of “A Flora of New York State.” Torrey never visited the region, but Parry sent him samples of the tree.

Although the course has been redesigned since 2008 (Rees Jones -2019), players can expect it to play very similarly to the '08 version. The fairways and rough are still mostly kikuyu, the greens poa annua. Devlin’s Billabong, the large bowl of soup fronting the 18th green, is still the only water hazard (other than the Pacific Ocean). The 387-yard second hole is still the only par 4 under 400 yards.

Additionally, the picturesque, 195-yard third hole, which plays downhill into the prevailing wind, is still the signature par 3. With multiple teeing areas and wind directions, it can call for anything from a pitching wedge to a long iron.

Another major championship brings more special edition products from some of our favorite brands celebrating the history of the U.S. Open and the beauty of Torrey Pines.   Explore U.S. Open themed merchandise below.