1961 U.S. Women's Open

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1961 U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 29 – July 1, 1961
Location Springfield, New Jersey
Course(s) Baltusrol Golf Club,
Lower Course
Organized by USGA
Tour(s) LPGA Tour
Format Stroke 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
Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright
293 (+5)
  1960
1962  
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Baltusrol 
Golf Club 
USA New Jersey relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Baltusrol 
Golf Club 

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.

Contents

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.

Final leaderboard

Saturday, July 1, 1961

PlacePlayerScoreTo parMoney ($)
1 Flag of the United States.svg Mickey Wright 72-80-69-72=293+51,800
2 Flag of the United States.svg Betsy Rawls 74-76-73-76=299+111,200
3 Flag of the United States.svg Ruth Jessen 75-73-77-75=300+12800
4 Flag of the United States.svg Louise Suggs 78-74-76-73=301+13650
5 Flag of the United States.svg Marilynn Smith 77-74-77-75=303+15500
6 Flag of the United States.svg Jo Ann Prentice 72-76-80-76=304+16400
T7 Flag of the United States.svg Barbara Romack 77-77-78-74=306+18350
Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg Marlene Streit (a)74-77-77-78=3060
T9 Flag of the United States.svg Carolyn Cudone (a)77-76-75-80=308+200
Flag of the United States.svg Shirley Englehorn 80-73-78-77=308313
Flag of the United States.svg Mary Lena Faulk 78-77-80-73=308

Source: [1] [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Wright cards 72 hole 293 to win Open title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 4B.
  2. 1 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. 1 2 "Miss Wright takes third Open crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 1, sports.

40°41′53″N74°19′59″W / 40.698°N 74.333°W / 40.698; -74.333