The 1957 U.S. Open was the 57th U.S. Open, held June 12–15 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Dick Mayer defeated defending champion Cary Middlecoff in an 18-hole playoff to win his only major title.[4]
Amateur Billy Joe Patton was the 36-hole co-leader with Mayer,[5] but fell back with consecutive 76s and tied for eighth. The 54-hole lead was held by Jimmy Demaret, age 47, attempting to become the oldest U.S. Open champion. Mayer was a shot back, while Middlecoff, Julius Boros, and Roberto De Vicenzo were two back.[6]
With temperatures soaring in the final round with high humidity, Demaret was five-over through eleven holes. He rebounded with three birdies on the back nine to post a 72 and a 283 total, a shot out of the playoff. Mayer carded a 70 and a 282 total, while Middlecoff birdied the last to force a playoff.[6][7] The Sunday playoff turned out to be a one-sided affair, as Mayer shot 72 to Middlecoff's 79. Temperatures again approached 100 °F (38 °C) and only one birdie was carded.[8][9]
This U.S. Open witnessed the debut of 17-year-old amateur Jack Nicklaus,[10] who had consecutive rounds of 80 and missed the cut.[11]It was just the beginning for Nicklaus, as he won a record-tying four U.S. Open titles and a record 18 major championships. While Nicklaus was making his debut, three-time major winner Denny Shute was playing his last Open; he too missed the cut. Two-time champion Gene Sarazen, at 55 in his penultimate Open, also missed the cut. After receiving medical attention for a back ailment, four-time champion and pre-tournament favorite Ben Hogan withdrew prior to his first round on Thursday.[12][13][14]
The course was scheduled to play to a length of 6,961 yards (6,365 m), but heavy rains caused several new tee boxes to become unplayable and the course was shortened by about 100 yards (90 m).[2]
This was the third U.S. Open at Inverness, which hosted in 1920 and 1931. The U.S. Open returned in 1979 and the PGA Championship followed in 1986 and 1993.
Source:[1]
Lengths of the course for previous major championships:
Thursday, June 13, 1957
Source:[15]
Friday, June 14, 1957
Source:[5]
Saturday, June 15, 1957 (morning)
Source:[6][7]
Saturday, June 15, 1957 (afternoon)
Source:[6][7]
Sunday, June 16, 1957
Cumulative playoff scores, relative to par
Source:[8][9]
41°39′07″N 83°39′04″W / 41.652°N 83.651°W / 41.652; -83.651