1955 U.S. Women's Open

The 1955 U.S. Women's Open was the tenth U.S. Women's Open, held from June 30 to July 2 at Wichita Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. It was the third conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

1955 U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 30 – July 2, 1955
LocationWichita, Kansas
Course(s)Wichita Country Club
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play – 72 holes
Statistics
Par72
Length6,330 yards (5,788 m)[1]
Prize fund$7,500
Winner's share$2,000
Champion
Uruguay Fay Crocker
299 (+11)
← 1954
1956 →
Wichita CC is located in the United States
Wichita CC
Wichita CC
Wichita CC is located in Kansas
Wichita CC
Wichita CC

Fay Crocker led wire-to-wire[2] and won the first of her two major championships, four strokes ahead of runners-up Mary Lena Faulk and Louise Suggs.[1] From Uruguay, Crocker was the first international winner of the U.S. Women's Open. She posted a 72 in the second round on Friday in difficult blustery conditions, with winds of 40 mph (64 km/h), and had an eight shot lead after 36 holes.[3] A 79 (+7) in the wind in the third round on Saturday morning reduced it to a single stroke over Faulk, with Suggs another two strokes back.

Defending champion Babe Zaharias did not compete due to back surgery;[4] she also missed the 1953 edition due to colon cancer surgery and died in 1956.[5][6]

This was the second U.S. Women's Open played in Wichita; the first in 1950 was at Rolling Hills Country Club.

Final leaderboard

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Saturday, July 2, 1955

Place Player Score To par Money ($)
1   Fay Crocker 74-72-79-74=299 +11 2,000
T2   Mary Lena Faulk 77-77-72-77=303 +15 1,125
  Louise Suggs 79-77-72-75=303
4   Jackie Pung 79-76-76-75=306 +18 750
5   Patty Berg 78-80-78-71=307 +19 600
T6   Polly Riley (a) 80-78-74-77=309 +21 0
  Jackie Yates (a) 76-79-76-78=309
8   Pat Lesser (a) 81-76-79-75=311 +23 0
T9   Beverly Hanson 87-76-77-72=312 +24 450
  Betty Jameson 83-77-76-76=312

Source:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Fay Crocker captures Women's National Open". Palm Beach Post-Times. Associated Press. July 3, 1955. p. 23.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Crocker leading National Open". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. July 1, 1955. p. 15.
  3. ^ "Crocker expands lead in Wichita". Wilmington Morning Star. Associated Press. July 2, 1955. p. 8.
  4. ^ "Crocker new queen of women's circuit". Lawrence Journal-World. Associated Press. July 4, 1955. p. 7.
  5. ^ Considine, Bob (August 6, 1956). "Babe Zaharias, greatest girl athlete of all time, fights gamely in big battle". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Babe Zaharias loses match with cancer, dies in sleep". Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. September 27, 1956. p. 8.
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37°42′18″N 97°14′10″W / 37.705°N 97.236°W / 37.705; -97.236