Greatest Game Ever Played, The (film) In 1913, when golf was a rich man’s sport, dominated by English and Scottish athletes, a 20-year-old amateur player and former caddy, Francis Ouimet, against all odds, becomes the first American, and amateur, to win the U.S. Open. Caught between a world of hardship and a beckoning life of privilege, Francis needs to prove his unfailing will and ability to make it to the tournament. There, flanked by his ten-year-old caddy, Eddie, he defeats his idol, the defending British champion Harry Vardon. A Touchstone Picture. Directed by Bill Paxton. Released on September 30, 2005. Stars Shia LaBeouf (Francis Ouimet), Stephen Dillane (Henry Vardon), Elias Koteas (Arthur Ouimet), Peter Firth (Lord Northcliffe), Stephen Marcus (Ted Ray), Peyton List (Sarah Wallis), Josh Flitter (Eddie Lowery), Luke Askew (Alec Campbell), Michael Weaver (John McDermott), Marnie McPhail (Mary Ouimet), George Asprey (Wilfred Reid), Max Kasch (Freddie Wallis), Matthew Knight (Young Francis Ouimet), Luke Kirby (Frank Hoyt). 120 min. Filming took place in Montreal. Based on the book of the same title by Mark Frost.
