1961 U.S. Women's Open

The 1961 U.S. Women's Open was the 16th U.S. Women's Open, held June 29 to July 1 at the Lower Course of Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.

1961 U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 29 – July 1, 1961
LocationSpringfield, New Jersey
Course(s)Baltusrol Golf Club,
Lower Course
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play – 72 holes
Statistics
Par72
Length6,372 yards (5,827 m)[1]
Field82: 30 pros, 52 amateurs[2]
41 after cut[3]
Cut168 (+24)
Prize fund$8,000
Winner's share$1,800
Champion
Mickey Wright
293 (+5)
Baltusrol 
Golf Club 
Location in the United States
Baltusrol 
Golf Club 
Location in New Jersey

Mickey Wright, age 26, won the third of her four U.S. Women's Open titles, six strokes ahead of runner-up Betsy Rawls, a four-time winner and the defending champion.[1] It was Wright's third win at the U.S. Women's Open in four years, and the sixth of her thirteen major titles.

After opening with a par 72 on Thursday to co-lead,[2] Wright shot an 80 (+8) in the second round on Friday and dropped four shots back after 36 holes.[4][5] A three-under 69 on Saturday morning regained the lead after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Rawls.[1][6]

The Lower Course has hosted the U.S. Open four times (two won by Jack Nicklaus) and a PGA Championship, won by Phil Mickelson. The U.S. Women's Open returned to Baltusrol in 1985, but was played on the Upper Course.

Past champions in the field

PlayerCountryYear(s) wonR1R2R3R4TotalTo parFinish
Mickey Wright United States1958, 195971806972293+51
Betsy Rawls United States1951, 1953,
1957, 1960
74767376299+112
Louise Suggs United States1949, 195278747673301+134
Fay Crocker Uruguay195576837773309+21T12
Kathy Cornelius United States195676807382311+23T14
Patty Berg United States194680767880316+2818
Betty Jameson United States194781817977318+30T21

Source:[1][6]

Final leaderboard

Saturday, July 1, 1961

PlacePlayerCountryScoreTo parMoney ($)
1Mickey Wright United States72-80-69-72=293+51,800
2Betsy Rawls United States74-76-73-76=299+111,200
3Ruth Jessen United States75-73-77-75=300+12800
4Louise Suggs United States78-74-76-73=301+13650
5Marilynn Smith United States77-74-77-75=303+15500
6JoAnn Prentice United States72-76-80-76=304+16400
T7Barbara Romack United States77-77-78-74=306+18350
Marlene Streit (a) Canada74-77-77-78=3060
T9Carolyn Cudone (a) United States77-76-75-80=308+200
Shirley Englehorn United States80-73-78-77=308313
Mary Lena Faulk United States78-77-80-73=308

Source:[1][6]

References

  1. "Wright cards 72 hole 293 to win Open title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 4B.
  2. "Wright, Prentice grab Open lead". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 30, 1961. p. 14.
  3. "Jessen, Prentice share Open first". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 8.
  4. Brown, Gwilym (July 10, 1961). "Women's golf finds a new Zaharias". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  5. "Ruth Jessen, JoAnn Prentice share lead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 9.
  6. "Miss Wright takes third Open crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 1, sports.

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