1963 U.S. Women's Open

1963 U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
DatesJuly 18–20, 1963
LocationCincinnati, Ohio
Course(s)Kenwood Country Club
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
FormatStroke play – 72 holes
Statistics
Par73
Length6,444 yards (5,892 m)[1]
Field40 after cut
Cut159 (+13)[2]
Prize fund$9,000
Winner's share$2,000
Champion
United States Mary Mills
301 (−3)
← 1962
1964 →
Kenwood Country Club is located in the United States
Kenwood Country Club
Kenwood
Country Club
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Location in the United States
Kenwood Country Club is located in Ohio
Kenwood Country Club
Kenwood
Country Club
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Location in Ohio

The 1963 U.S. Women's Open was the 18th U.S. Women's Open, held July 18–20 at Kenwood Country Club, northeast of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mary Mills, age 23, won her only U.S. Women's Open title, three strokes ahead of runners-up Louise Suggs and Sandra Haynie.[3][4] It was the first of nine victories on the LPGA Tour for Mills and the first of her three major titles.

Retired tennis pro Althea Gibson, age 35, became the first African American to play in a U.S. Women's Open.[1] She shot 78 and 82 for 160 (+14) and missed the cut by a stroke.[5][6] Three-time champion Mickey Wright did not play, opting for dental work,[7][8] which she had originally planned to have done the previous week.[9] Wright returned in 1964 to win her fourth title. Defending champion Murle Lindstrom tied for seventh.

The championship was played the same week as the PGA Championship, which concluded on Sunday.

Final leaderboard

Saturday, July 20, 1963

Place Player Score To par Money ($)
1 United States Mary Mills 71-70-75-73=289 −3 2,000
T2 United States Louise Suggs 72-72-75-73=292 E 1,000
United States Sandra Haynie 75-72-73-72=292
4 United States Clifford Ann Creed 71-75-78-74=298 +6 650
T5 United States Kathy Whitworth 75-74-80-73=302 +10 450
United States Ruth Jessen 72-78-77-75=302
T7 United States Kathy Cornelius 76-75-77-75=303 +11 313
United States Mary Lena Faulk 75-73-76-79=303
United States Murle Lindstrom 83-75-74-71=303
United States Patsy Hahn 74-73-78-78=303

Source:[3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b Harrison, Harold (July 19, 1963). "Two share gals' lead". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. p. 15.
  2. ^ "Mary ties mark, leads gals' Open". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 20, 1963. p. 8.
  3. ^ a b "Open captured by Marry Mills". Toledo Blade. Ohio. Associated Press. July 21, 1963. p. 1C.
  4. ^ a b "Mills wins Open title". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. July 21, 1963. p. 2B.
  5. ^ "Mills leads ladies' Open". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. July 20, 1963. p. 2B.
  6. ^ "Althea Gibson to play pro golf circuit". Spartanburg Herald. South Carolina. Associated Press. December 13, 1963. p. 27.
  7. ^ "Dental work sidelines Mickey". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 13, 1963. p. 10.
  8. ^ "Miss Wright missing in Open golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 18, 1963. p. 28.
  9. ^ "Mickey set to continue pro tour". Schenectady Gazette. New York. Associated Press. July 11, 1963. p. 35.

39°10′59″N 84°23′13″W / 39.183°N 84.387°W / 39.183; -84.387