1961 - The Year in Golf, 1961

Previous Year | Next Year
Golf Timeline Homepage

South African Gary Player becomes the first non-American to win The Masters.

The PGA of America removes from its constitution a rule prohibiting non-Caucasians from becoming members.

Mickey Wright wins 10 LPGA events and three majors - the U.S. Women's Open, LPGA Championship and Titleholders.

Louise Suggs wins the Palm Beach Par-3 Invitational, a 54-hole, co-ed event in which all competitors play from the same tees. Among the men in the field is Sam Snead.

Jerry Barber defeats Don January in a playoff for the PGA Championship. Barber forced the playing by making 40- and 60-foot putts on the 71st and 72nd holes, respectively.

Bob Goalby sets a record with eight consecutive birdies in his final round en route to winning the PGA St. Petersburg Open.

Cary Middlecoff wins the last of his 40 PGA Tour titles at the Memphis Invitational Open.

Paul Runyan, PGA Championship winner in 1934 and 1938, wins the PGA Seniors Championship.

Earl Stewart Jr., head pro at Oak Cliff Country Club, wins the PGA Tour Dallas Open on his own course. He is the only head professional to win a PGA Tour event on the course where he works.

Born This Year:
• Mark Brooks, 1996 PGA Championship winner
• Brad Faxon, PGA Tour
• Kathy Guadagnino, 1985 U.S. Women's Open winner
• Jim Gallagher, PGA Tour
• Nancy Scranton, LPGA Tour (one major)
• Steve Pate, PGA Tour
• John Huston, PGA Tour
• Jim Carter, PGA Tour
• Barb Mucha, LPGA Tour

Died This Year:
Willie MacFarlane, winner of 1925 U.S. Open in a 36-hole playoff over Bobby Jones

Money Leaders:
PGA: Gary Player, $64,540.45
LPGA: Mickey Wright, $22,236

Scoring Leaders:
PGA (Vardon Trophy): Arnold Palmer, 69.85
LPGA (Vare Trophy): Mickey Wright, 73.55

Men's Major Championship Winners:
The Masters: Gary Player
U.S. Open: Gene Littler
British Open: Arnold Palmer
PGA Championship: Jerry Barber

Women's Major Championship Winners:
LPGA: Mickey Wright
U.S. Open: Mickey Wright
Titleholders: Mickey Wright
Western Open: Mary Lena Faulk

Amateur Champions
U.S.: Jack Nicklaus
British: Michael Bonallack
U.S. Women's: Anne Quast Decker
British Women's: Marley Spearman

Ryder Cup
U.S. 14.5, Britain 9.5

Walker Cup
U.S. 11, Great Britain and Ireland 1

Previous Year | Next Year
Golf Timeline Homepage