1961 U.S. Women's Open
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. 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, Wright shot an 80 (+8) in the second round on Friday and dropped four shots back after 36 holes. A three-under 69 on Saturday morning regained the lead after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Rawls.
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
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mickey Wright |
72-80-69-72=293 | +5 | 1,800 |
| 2 | Betsy Rawls |
74-76-73-76=299 | +11 | 1,200 |
| 3 | Ruth Jessen |
75-73-77-75=300 | +12 | 800 |
| 4 | Louise Suggs |
78-74-76-73=301 | +13 | 650 |
| 5 | Marilynn Smith |
77-74-77-75=303 | +15 | 500 |
| 6 | JoAnn Prentice |
72-76-80-76=304 | +16 | 400 |
| T7 | Barbara Romack |
77-77-78-74=306 | +18 | 350 |
 Marlene Streit (a) |
74-77-77-78=306 | 0 | ||
| T9 | Carolyn Cudone (a) |
77-76-75-80=308 | +20 | 0 |
| Shirley Englehorn |
80-73-78-77=308 | 313 | ||
| Mary Lena Faulk |
78-77-80-73=308 |
Source:
References
- ^ "Wright cards 72 hole 293 to win Open title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 4B.
- ^ "Wright, Prentice grab Open lead". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 30, 1961. p. 14.
- ^ "Jessen, Prentice share Open first". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 8.
- ^ Brown, Gwilym (July 10, 1961). "Women's golf finds a new Zaharias". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ "Ruth Jessen, JoAnn Prentice share lead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 9.
- ^ "Miss Wright takes third Open crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 1, sports.
External links
- USGA final leaderboard
- U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship
- U.S. Women's Open – past champions – 1961
- Baltusrol Golf Club