Born in Dundee, Angus, Scotland, Alexander “Alex” Smith turned 56 on January 28, 1930. He died in Baltimore, Maryland, United States on April 31, 1930.
Smith won the 1910 U.S. Open, which was held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, USA from June 17-20, 1910. It marked the culmination of a fierce rivalry and a period of dominance by Scottish golfers in the early years of the tournament.
1910 US Open
Playoff
| RANK | GOLFER, AGE, COUNTRY | SCORE |
| 1 | Alex Smith, 36, Scotland | 71 |
| 2 | John McDermott, 18, USA | 75 |
| 3 | Macdonald Smith, 20, Scotland | 77 |
Final Round
| RANK | GOLFER, AGE, COUNTRY | SCORE |
| 1 | Alex Smith, 36, Scotland | 73-73-79-73=298 |
| 1 | John McDermott, 18, USA | 74-74-75-75=298 |
| 1 | Macdonald Smith, 20, Scotland | 74-78-75-71=298 |
| 4 | Fred McLeod, 28, Scotland | 78-70-78-73=299 |
| 5 | Tom McNamara, 27, USA | 73-78-73-76=300 |
| 5 | Gilbert Nicholls, 31, England | 73-75-77-75=300 |
| 7 | Jack Hobens, 29, Scotland | 74-77-74-76=301 |
| 8 | Tom Anderson, Jr., 25, Scotland | 72-76-81-73=302 |
| 8 | Herbert Barker, 27, England | 75-78-77-72=302 |
| 8 | Jock Hutchison, 26, Scotland | 77-76-75-74=302 |
Alex Smith vs George Sargent
Coming into the 1910 US Open event, the golfing world was captivated by the rivalry between Smith and the reigning champion, George Sargent. The tournament format was an intense test of endurance and skill, played over 72 holes. By the time the final round concluded, Smith found himself tied with his brother, Macdonald Smith, and John McDermott. This three-way dead heat necessitated an 18-hole playoff the following day to determine the champion.
The playoff was a high-stakes affair that showcased the grit of the era’s golfers. Alex, a veteran of the game, delivered a masterful performance under immense pressure. He carded a 71, a remarkably low score for that time, which allowed him to defeat his brother and McDermott comfortably. This victory was a validation of Alex’s tactical approach to the game; known for his meticulous course management and reliable putting, he navigated the Philadelphia course with precision when his competitors began to falter.
The 1910 victory was Alex’s second U.S. Open title, with his first occurring in 1906. His success highlighted the massive influence that Scottish professionals had on the development of golf in the U.S. Many of the top players at the time were immigrants who had learned the game on the rugged links courses of Scotland, bringing their technical expertise and competitive fire to American clubs. He was a quintessential representative of this era, serving as a professional at various prominent clubs and helping to professionalize the sport’s instruction and infrastructure.
Beyond the numbers, the 1910 U.S. Open is remembered for the emergence of the first American-born contender to truly threaten the hegemony of the Scottish pros. John McDermott’s presence in the playoff served as a harbinger of change. Within the next few years, American-born players would begin to rise, effectively ending the absolute dominance of the foreign-born professionals. However, in the summer of 1910, it was still Scotland’s day, and Alex stood tall as the champion, cementing his legacy as one of the finest golfers of the early 20th century.
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