1957 U.S. Open (golf)
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The 1957 U.S. Open was the 57th U.S. Open, held June 12–15 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Dick Mayer defeated defending champion Cary Middlecoff in an 18-hole playoff to win his only major title.[4]
Tournament information | |
---|---|
Dates | June 13–16, 1957 |
Location | Toledo, Ohio |
Course(s) | Inverness Club |
Organized by | USGA |
Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
Statistics | |
Par | 70 |
Length | 6,919 yards (6,327 m)[1][2] |
Field | 157 players, 53 after cut |
Cut | 150 (+10) |
Prize fund | $30,000[3] |
Winner's share | $7,200 |
Champion | |
Dick Mayer | |
282 (+2), playoff | |
Amateur Billy Joe Patton was the 36-hole co-leader with Mayer,[5] but fell back with consecutive 76s and tied for eighth. The 54-hole lead was held by Jimmy Demaret, age 47, attempting to become the oldest U.S. Open champion. Mayer was a shot back, while Middlecoff, Julius Boros, and Roberto De Vicenzo were two back.[6]
With temperatures soaring in the final round with high humidity, Demaret was five-over through eleven holes. He rebounded with three birdies on the back nine to post a 72 and a 283 total, a shot out of the playoff. Mayer carded a 70 and a 282 total, while Middlecoff birdied the last to force a playoff.[6][7] The Sunday playoff turned out to be a one-sided affair, as Mayer shot 72 to Middlecoff's 79. Temperatures again approached 100 °F (38 °C) and only one birdie was carded.[8][9]
This U.S. Open witnessed the debut of 17-year-old amateur Jack Nicklaus,[10] who had consecutive rounds of 80 and missed the cut.[11] It was just the beginning for Nicklaus, as he won a record-tying four U.S. Open titles and a record 18 major championships. While Nicklaus was making his debut, three-time major winner Denny Shute was playing his last Open; he too missed the cut. Two-time champion Gene Sarazen, at 55 in his penultimate Open, also missed the cut. After receiving medical attention for a back ailment, four-time champion and pre-tournament favorite Ben Hogan withdrew prior to his first round on Thursday.[12][13][14]
The course was scheduled to play to a length of 6,961 yards (6,365 m), but heavy rains caused several new tee boxes to become unplayable and the course was shortened by about 100 yards (90 m).[2]
This was the third U.S. Open at Inverness, which hosted in 1920 and 1931. The U.S. Open returned in 1979 and the PGA Championship followed in 1986 and 1993.