1964 U.S. Women's Open
Hometown favorite Mickey Wright won her fourth and final U.S. Women's Open in an 18-hole playoff, two strokes ahead of runner-up Ruth Jessen, 70 to 72. At the 72nd hole on Saturday afternoon, Jessen birdied while Wright scrambled for par from a greenside bunker to force the Sunday playoff. Both players had San Diego ties, as Wright was born and raised in the area and Jessen was a resident of Bonsall.
Jessen, originally of Seattle, was also a runner-up two years earlier in 1962. Wright, a Dallas resident, led (or co-led) after each of the five rounds to win the twelfth of her thirteen major titles. Defending champion Mary Mills finished in eleventh place.
The championship was held the same week as the Open Championship in Scotland, which concluded on Friday.
This was the last U.S. Women's Open to schedule the final two rounds for Saturday, the format since the USGA took over in 1953. In 1965, the final round was moved to Sunday, as it was from 1947 through 1952.
Final leaderboard
Saturday, July 11, 1964
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 |  Mickey Wright |
71-71-75-73=290 | −2 | Playoff |
| Ruth Jessen |
72-73-74-71=290 | |||
| T3 | Marilynn Smith |
75-70-72-74=291 | −1 | 797 |
| Shirley Englehorn |
71-78-68-74=291 | |||
| 5 | Sandra Haynie |
78-73-70-74=295 | +3 | 550 |
| 6 | Peggy Wilson |
73-77-72-74=296 | +4 | 440 |
| T7 | Jo Ann Prentice |
78-73-76-71=298 | +6 | 371 |
| Marlene Hagge |
71-76-74-77=298 | |||
| 9 | Kathy Whitworth |
76-76-75-73=300 | +8 | 330 |
| 10 | Patty Berg |
76-74-77-75=302 | +10 | 302 |
Source:
Playoff
Sunday, July 12, 1964
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mickey Wright |
35-35=70 | −3 | 2,200 |
| 2 | Ruth Jessen |
36-36=72 | −1 | 1,320 |
- Par: 36-37=73
Source:
References
- ^ "Mickey has fine 71, aedds to lead". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 11, 1964. p. 8.
- ^ "Wright, Jessen tie in U.S. Open". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. July 12, 1964. p. G2.
- ^ "Wright heads Open field". July 9, 1964. p. 37.
- ^ "Golf queen adds 4th Open crown". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. July 13, 1964. p. 20.
- ^ "Wright wins women's title". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. July 13, 1964. p. 2B.
- ^ "Mickey, Ruth will play off tie in Open". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 12, 1964. p. 1, sports.
- ^ "Miss Wright, two others lead Open". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 10, 1964. p. 14.
- ^ "Jessen rally ties Wright; playoff slated". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. July 12, 1964. p. 1B.
External links
- Golf Observer final leaderboard
- U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship
- U.S. Women's Open – past champions – 1964
- San Diego Country Club