1964 U.S. Open (golf)
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 18–20, 1964 |
| Location | Bethesda, Maryland |
| Course(s) |
Congressional Country Club Blue Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 70 |
| Length | 7,053 yards (6,449 m)[1] |
| Field | 150 players, 55 after cut |
| Cut | 150 (+10) |
| Winner's share | $17,000[2] |
| Champion | |
 Ken Venturi | |
| 278 (–2) | |
|
«1963 1965» | |
Country Club
The 1964 U.S. Open was the 64th U.S. Open, held June 18–20 at the Blue Course of Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb northwest of Washington, D.C. Ken Venturi won his only major title, four strokes ahead of runner-up Tommy Jacobs.[3]
Jacobs held the 36-hole lead after shooting a 64 (–6) in the second round, tying the U.S. Open record at the time for a round, set by Lee Mackey in 1950.[4] In the third round on Saturday morning, he carded an even-par 70 and retained the lead after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Venturi, who made up four shots with a 66 (–4). Masters champion Arnold Palmer had led after the first round,[5] but hopes of a grand slam faded with a 75 in the third.
Before the final round began on Saturday afternoon, Venturi was advised by doctors to withdraw from the tournament. He was suffering dehydration due to an oppressive heat wave and had to take treatments with tea and salt tablets in between rounds. To play the final round, doctors warned, was to risk heat stroke. Venturi, however, ignored the advice and played on, then shot a 70 to Jacobs' 76 to claim a four-stroke victory. Venturi's score of 206 over the final 54 holes set a new U.S. Open record, as did his score of 136 over the last 36. The win was his first on tour in four years.
Future champion Raymond Floyd made his U.S. Open debut this year and finished in 14th place. This was the last time the championship was scheduled for three days; the next year it was expanded to four days, concluding on Sunday.
Julius Boros missed the cut with two rounds of 77. It marked the first time that the defending champion did not make the cut for two consecutive years; 1962 winner Jack Nicklaus did not play the weekend in 1963.[6]
The Blue Course at Congressional was the longest in U.S. Open history to date, at 7,053 yards (6,449 m).[7] A lack of rainfall in the previous six weeks reduced its effective length, and it played firm and fast.[8]
Past champions in the field
Made the cut
| Player | Country | Year(s) won | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total | To par | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Casper | United States | 1959 | 71 | 74 | 69 | 71 | 285 | +5 | 4 |
| Arnold Palmer | United States | 1960 | 68 | 69 | 75 | 74 | 286 | +6 | T5 |
| Gene Littler | United States | 1961 | 73 | 71 | 74 | 73 | 291 | +11 | T11 |
| Ed Furgol | United States | 1954 | 72 | 74 | 72 | 74 | 292 | +12 | T14 |
| Jack Nicklaus | United States | 1962 | 72 | 73 | 77 | 73 | 295 | +15 | T23 |
Missed the cut
| Player | Country | Year(s) won | R1 | R2 | Total | To par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Boros | United States | 1952, 1963 | 77 | 77 | 154 | +14 |
Final leaderboard
Saturday, June 20, 1964
| Place | Player | Country | Score | To par | Money ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ken Venturi | United States | 72-70-66-70=278 | –2 | 17,000 |
| 2 | Tommy Jacobs | United States | 72-64-70-76=282 | +2 | 8,500 |
| 3 | Bob Charles |  New Zealand | 72-72-71-68=283 | +3 | 6,000 |
| 4 | Billy Casper | United States | 71-74-69-71=285 | +5 | 5,000 |
| T5 | Gay Brewer | United States | 76-69-73-68=286 | +6 | 3,750 |
| Arnold Palmer | United States | 68-69-75-74=286 | |||
| 7 | Bill Collins | United States | 70-71-74-72=287 | +7 | 3,000 |
| 8 | Dow Finsterwald | United States | 73-72-71-72=288 | +8 | 2,500 |
| T9 | Johnny Pott | United States | 71-73-73-72=289 | +9 | 1,950 |
| Bob Rosburg | United States | 73-73-70-73=289 |
Source:[3]
References
- ↑ Wright, Alfred (June 29, 1964). "'Poor Ken' hits it rich again". Sports Illustrated. p. 12.
- ↑ Gundelfinger, Phil, Jr. (June 22, 1964). "Ken Venturi fulfills golfdom's prophecy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 23.
- 1 2 "Venturi wins Open tourney on comeback". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. June 21, 1964. p. 2B.
- ↑ Gundelfinger, Phil (June 20, 1964). "Jacobs passes Arnie, shoots blistering 64". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 1.
- ↑ Gundelfinger, Phil (June 19, 1964). "Palmer fires 2-under 68, leads Open". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 1.
- ↑ Fraley, Oscar (June 20, 1964). "Jacobs shoots a 64; leads Palmer by 1". Eugene Register-Guard. UPI. p. 2B.
- ↑ "Palmer 198 holes from golf's Slam". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. June 19, 1964. p. 2B.
- ↑ Gundelfinger, Phil (June 18, 1964). "Congressional set to resist golfing fraternity in 'Open'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 30.
External links
| Preceded by 1964 Masters |
Major Championships | Succeeded by 1964 Open Championship |
Coordinates: 38°57′58″N 77°10′35″W / 38.966°N 77.1765°W