| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 29 – July 1, 1961 |
| Location | Springfield, New Jersey |
| Course(s) | Baltusrol Golf Club, Lower Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play – 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
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.
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.
- ^ a b c "Wright cards 72 hole 293 to win Open title". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 4B.
- ^ a b "Wright, Prentice grab Open lead". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 30, 1961. p. 14.
- ^ "Jessen, Prentice share Open first". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 8.
- ^ Brown, Gwilym (July 10, 1961). "Women's golf finds a new Zaharias". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ "Ruth Jessen, JoAnn Prentice share lead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. July 1, 1961. p. 9.
- ^ "Miss Wright takes third Open crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 2, 1961. p. 1, sports.