1961 U.S. Women's Open
Golf tournament
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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.
Lower Course
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 29 â July 1, 1961 |
| Location | Springfield, New Jersey |
| Course(s) | Baltusrol Golf Club, Lower Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play â 72 holes |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,372 yards (5,827 m)[1] |
| Field | 82: 30 pros, 52 amateurs[2] 41 after cut[3] |
| Cut | 168 (+24) |
| Prize fund | $8,000 |
| Winner's share | $1,800 |
| Champion | |
 Mickey Wright | |
| 293 (+5) | |
Golf Club
Golf Club
Mickey Wright, age 26, won the third of her four U.S. Women's Open titles, six strokes ahead of runner-up Betsy Rawls, a four-time winner and the defending champion.[1] It was Wright's third win at the U.S. Women's Open in four years, and the sixth of her thirteen major titles.
After opening with a par 72 on Thursday to co-lead,[2] Wright shot an 80 (+8) in the second round on Friday and dropped four shots back after 36 holes.[4][5] A three-under 69 on Saturday morning regained the lead after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Rawls.[1][6]
The Lower Course has hosted the U.S. Open four times (two won by Jack Nicklaus) and a PGA Championship, won by Phil Mickelson. The U.S. Women's Open returned to Baltusrol in 1985, but was played on the Upper Course.
Final leaderboard
Saturday, July 1, 1961
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Money ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Jo Ann 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 |