<P> Since 1911, the title has been won mostly by players from the United States . Since 1950, players from only six countries other than the United States have won the championship, most notably South Africa, which has won five times since 1965 . A streak of four consecutive non-American winners occurred from 2004 to 2007 for the first time since 1910 . These four players, South African Retief Goosen (2004), New Zealander Michael Campbell (2005), Australian Geoff Ogilvy (2006) and Argentine Ángel Cabrera (2007), are all from countries in the Southern Hemisphere . Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (2010) became the first European player to win the event since Tony Jacklin of England in 1970; three more Europeans won in the next four editions, making it only three American wins in the 11 tournaments from 2004 - 2014 . </P> <P> U.S. Open play is characterized by tight scoring at or around par by the leaders, with the winner usually emerging at around even par . A U.S. Open course is seldom beaten severely, and there have been many over-par wins (in part because par is usually set at 70, except for the very longest courses). Normally, an Open course is quite long and will have a high cut of primary rough (termed "Open rough" by the American press and fans); undulating greens (such as at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005, which was described by Johnny Miller of NBC as "like trying to hit a ball on top of a VW Beetle"); pinched fairways (especially on what are expected to be less difficult holes); and two or three holes that are short par fives under regular play would be used as long par fours during the tournament (often to meet that frequently used par of 70, forcing players to have accurate long drives). Some courses that are attempting to get into the rotation for the U.S. Open will undergo renovations to develop these features . Rees Jones is the most notable of the "Open Doctors" who take on these projects; his father Robert Trent Jones had filled that role earlier . As with any professional golf tournament, the available space surrounding the course (for spectators, among other considerations) and local infrastructure also factor into deciding which courses will host the event . </P> <P> The U.S. Open is open to any professional, or to any amateur with an up - to - date men's USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4 . Players (male or female) may obtain a place by being fully exempt or by competing successfully in qualifying . The field is 156 players . </P> <P> About half of the field is made up of players who are fully exempt from qualifying . As of the U.S. Open in 2014, the exemption categories are: </P>

How many players in the us open field