Byron Nelson

Byron Nelson, of the Reading (Pa.) Country Club, made up five strokes in his last round and posted 72-73-71-68-284, eight over par over the Spring Mill Course of the Philadelphia Country Club. Sam Snead came to the last hole needing a par 5 to win, took 8 and finished fifth. Craig Wood came along later needing a birdie 4 to tie and made it. Denny Shute came up last needing two pars to win but lost a stroke on the l7th hole and created the fourth three-way tie.

In the first playoff, Wood appeared to have the Championship in hand, but Nelson birdied the last hole and they tied again at 8; Shute had 76 and was eliminated. In the second playoff, Nelson was in such form that he holed a full No. 1 iron shot for an eagle 2 at the fourth hole, and he won with a 70 to Wood's 73. Marvin H. Ward, who was to win the Amateur later in the season, finished fourth, one storke out of the triple tie.