Lew Worsham

Lew Worsham of the Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club scored 70-70-71-71-282 two under par, and defeated Sam Snead in a playoff, 69 to 70 at the St. Louis (Mo.) Country Club. They finished 72 holes three strokes ahead of the field. A dramatic moment occurred when Snead came to the last hole needing a birdie 3 to tie; he made it with an 18-foot putt. Snead had less fortune on the last green of the playoff. He missed a put of less than a yard after being interrupted by Worsham who asked for a measurement as Snead was about to putt.

If he had made the putt, Worsham would have had to make his slightly shorter putt to tie. As it was, Worsham made his putt and won. James B. McHale, Jr., an amateur, set a new 18-hole record when he played the course in 30-35-65 in the third round. The purse was increased again, the total to $10,000 for the first 30 professionals and first prize to $2,000; and the Competition was for a new cup, the original having been destroyed in a fire at the Tam O'Shanter Country Club during the winter. This Championship was the first to be televised locally.