The moment all of us golf fans have been waiting for is nearly upon us. The 121st edition of The US Open Golf Championship is returning to the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Date: June 14 - 20, 2021.

Location: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA.

The best part about this year's championship is that, even though the current pandemic situation is not over yet, it has been decided that fans will be allowed on-site, with some restrictions. The number of spectators allowed will be significantly lower than before, and there will be only a limited number of tickets available for purchase.

All previously sold tickets will be refunded, and new tickets will be available for purchase from April 26th for USGA members (costs $36 to join), followed two days later by people who previously bought a ticket (but only if they used an American Express card), followed another two days after that by members of the USGA's Victory Club (free to join). So make sure to hurry and grab your ticket now if you want to secure your spot.

San Diego local golf enthusiasts are especially excited about the US Open returning to Torrey Pines this year and to have a chance to see their favorite players in action and maybe secure a spot to play on the course after the championship is over.

"I was so excited to hear that the US Open was happening so close to my home, and I was even more excited when they announced that spectators would be allowed on-site. I grabbed my ticket as soon as they were out. This makes me feel like we are slowly heading towards a closer-to-normal way of living and that the end of this pandemic situation may be closer than ever." -- Julio Sanchez, owner of Cardiff Vacations, a luxury vacation rental business in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas.

A Brief History of the US Open at Torrey Pines

Every true golf enthusiast is bound to remember the 2008 edition of the US Open that took place at the Torrey Pines golf course in which Tiger Woods made an improbable comeback and ultimately won the championship, joining Jack Nicklaus as the only two players to have won the career grand slam three times. And he did everything with an injured knee that later required surgery.

But even before Woods made his incredible comeback on Sunday and won against Rocco Mediate, the 2008 US Open had already become worthy of attention for several reasons. Let's take a look back at the championship's most notable events:

• Tiger Woods played his opening hole at 7 over par

It may seem hard to believe, but Woods made three double bogeys on the first hole and another one on the tenth hole.

• It was the first time Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler made the cut for the US Open

Still an amateur, Fowler did not impress much and finished T-60. Johnson, however, led the field in driving distance and finished T-48. He went on and won the 2016 edition.

• Tiger struck an inward-nine 30

After a disappointing series of four bogeys on his outward nine, Woods appeared more likely to miss the cut than threaten the lead. That's when he surprised everyone with another incredible comeback, reeling off four birdies over his next five holes and closing with another birdie on the ninth for a 5-under 30. A 30 is very rare in the US Open, as it was the first time any player had done it in seven years.

• Tiger and Rocco were nearly joined by Lee Westwood in the playoff

On Sunday afternoon, neither Tiger nor Rocco held the lead, but Lee Westwood, whose birdie on the ninth hole put him one ahead of Woods and two on Mediate. Unfortunately for him, he lost his advantage with a series of three bogeys over the next four holes, making him fall behind.

• It was the most recent US Open playoff

There haven't been any US Open playoffs ever since 2008. The current stretch without a playoff is the longest one in the championship’s history.

• It was the last 18-hole playoff

In 2018 there has been a change to a two-hole aggregate format.

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