1953 - Men (All)
The winners in the category "1953 - Men (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (17th) (April 9-12). Second-placed Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA) finished 5 shots behind Hogan (USA), who secured his second Masters green jacket with a then record score of 274. Later that year Hogan also went on to win the Open Championship and US Open. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
The Open Championship (82nd) (July 8-10). Second-placed Frank Stranahan (USA), Antonio Cerda (Arg), Peter Thomson (Aus) and Dai Rees (Wales) finished 4 shots behind Hogan (USA). This was the only Open Championship which Hogan entered. [Championship Course, Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (53rd) (Jun 11-13). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 6 shots behind Hogan (USA). This was the last of Hogan's four US Open wins, and his third win in this event in four years. [Oakmont CC, nr Pittsburgh, PA].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (35th) (July 1-7). Local hero Burkemo (USA) beat Felice Torza (USA) 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final, to win his first and only major championship title. [Birmingham CC, Birmingham, nr Detroit, Michigan].
Amateur
R&A
The Amateur Championship (58th). Carr (Ire) beat E. Harvie Ward (USA) by 2 holes in the final. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].
Amateur
USGA
The US Amateur Championship (53rd) (Sept 14-19). Gene Littler (USA) beat Dale Morey (USA) 1 up in the 36-hole final. [Oklahoma City G&CC, Nichols Hill, OK].
Amateur
USGA
Played as the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. 17-year-old Rex Baxter (USA) beat 16-year-old George Warren III (USA) 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final. Ten years later, Baxter won his first and only PGA Tour event. [Southern Hills CC, Tulsa, Oklahoma].
America
George S. May
Played as the All American Open (Jul 30-Aug 2; aka the Tam O'Shanter). Second-placed Ted Kroll (USA) and defending champion Sam Snead (USA) finished 3 shots behind Lloyd Mangrum (USA). [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
America
x
Played as the Ardmore Open (May 7-10). Second-placed Jerry Barber (USA) finished 3 shots behind Earl Stewart Jr (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Dornick Hills CC, Ardmore, Oklahoma].
America
x
Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Defending champion Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished in second place behind Gonzalez (Brazil). [Campos Argentinos de Golf, San Isidro, Buenos Aires].
Played as the Baton Rouge Open.
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (50th) (May 28-31). Second-placed Ed Furgol (USA), Fred Haas (USA) and Lloyd Mangrum (USA) finished 4 shots behind E. J. "Dutch" Harrison (USA). [Bellerive CC, St Louis, Missouri].
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Martin Pose (Arg) finished in second place behind Gonzalez (Brazil). [Gavea GC, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 9-11). Second-placed Wally Ulrich (USA) finished 1 shot behind Dave Douglas (USA). [Scarboro G&CC, Toronto, Ont.].
Played as the Carling Open.
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 21-24). Second-placed Doug Ford (USA) and Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 5 shots behind defending champion Ben Hogan (USA). This was the fourth of Hogan's five wins in this event, which was nicknamed "Hogan's Benefit." [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
America
x
Played as the Chile Open (Abierto de Chile). Won by defending champion De Vicenzo (Arg), brother of the legendary Roberto De Vicenzo.
America
x
Played as the Eastern Open (Sept 10-13). Second-placed Chandler Harper (USA), Doug Ford (USA) and Charlie Bassler (USA) finished 4 shots behind 29-year-old Dick Mayer (USA), who recorded the first of his seven PGA Tour wins. [Mt Pleasant Municipal GC, Baltimore, MD].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open (15-18). Second-placed Doug Ford (USA) finished 3 shots behind Bolt (USA). [San Diego CC, Chula Vista, CA].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 2-5). Second-placed Jack Burke Jr (USA) finished 5 shots behind Mangrum (USA), who recorded the third of his four wins in this event. [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Houston Open (Feb 26-Mar 2). In a Monday finish, Cary Middlecoff (USA) beat Shelley Mayfield (USA), Jim Ferrier (Aus/USA), Earl Stewart (USA) and Bill Nary (USA) in the PGA Tour's first 18-hole five-way playoff (Middlecoff 69, Mayfield and Ferrier 71, Stewart 72 and Nary 75). Middlecoff could have won in regulation play, but missed a three-foot par putt at the 72nd hole. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Jacksonville Open (March 20-23; for the last time until 1965). Second-placed Jim Ferrier (USA) finished 1 shot behind Worsham (USA). [Hyde Park GC, Jacksonville, FL].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Jamaica Open. Won by W. L. Ward. [Constant Spring GC, Kingston, Jamaica].
America
KCGA
Played as the Kansas City Open (July 23-26). Second-placed Marty Furgol (USA) finished 2 shots behind Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA). [Milburn G&CC, nr Kansas City, KS].
America
Labatt Brewing
Played as the inaugural Labatt Open (Aug 20-23). Second-placed Walter Burkemo (USA) finished 5 shots behind Doug Ford (USA). [Summerlea G&CC, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open. (Sept 22-24; Metropolitan Golf Assoc event). Second-placed Pat Cici (USA) finished 4 shots behind Pete Cooper (USA), who went one better than his second place finish the previous year. [Rockville Links Club, Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY].
America
x
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished in second place behind De Vicenzo (Arg). [GC Chapultepec, Naucalpan, Mexico City].
America
x
Played as the Miami Open (Dec 10-13). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 4 shots behind Doug Ford (USA). [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].
America
x
Played as the National Celebrities Open (Sept 3-7). Second-placed Lew Worsham (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kroll (USA). The third round was postponed on Saturday and Sunday, and 36 holes played on the Monday. [Woodmont CC, Rockville, Maryland].
Played as the Palm Beach Round Robin.
America
x
Played as the Panama Open. Won by defending champion De Vicenzo (USA). [GC de Panama, Panama City, Panama].
Played as the Pan American Open.
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am Invitational (Jan 9-11; 54-hole event). Second-placed Julius Boros (USA) finished 4 shots behind Mangrum (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
Played as the inaugural Peru Open (Abierto de Peru). Won by De Vicenzo (Arg).
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 23-26). Second-placed Bo Wininger (USA), Johnny Bulla (USA) and Ted Kroll (USA) finished 6 shots behind defending champion Mangrum (USA). Monday finish required. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Tournament of Champions (April 23-26). Second-placed Chandler Harper (USA) finished 1 shot behind Besselink (USA). [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open (Feb 12-15). Second-placed Doug Ford (USA) finished 1 shot behind 26-year-old hometown winner Tony Holguin (USA), who recorded his first and only PGA Tour win. Ford finished as runner-up for the third straight year. [Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Ben Hogan (USA) finished in second-place behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open (Aug 27-30). Second-placed Jim Ferrier (Aus/USA) finished 1 shot behind 26-year-old Bob Toski (USA), who recorded the first of his five PGA Tour wins. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
x
Played as the Tucson Open (Jan 29-Feb 1). Second-placed Chandler Harper (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tommy Bolt (USA). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Virginia Beach Open (April 16-19). Second-placed Ansel Snow (USA) finished 2 shots behind Ford (USA), who claimed his second PGA Tour win. [Cavalier Y&CC, Virginia Beach, Virginia; now called Cavalier G&YC].
America
George S. May
Played as the World Championship of Golf (Aug 6-9; PGA Tour event for the richest first prize in world golf). Second-placed Chandler Harper (USA) finished 1 shot behind Lew Worsham (USA), who holed-out from 104 yards on the final hole. The first-ever golf event to be nationally televised. [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (March 26-31). In a Tuesday finish, first-time PGA Tour winner Stewart (USA) beat Sam Snead (USA) with a par at the first sudden-death playoff hole. This followed a four-way 18-hole playoff on Monday, in which Stewart and Snead tied on 68 and Doug Ford (USA) and Art Wall Jr (USA) were eliminated. [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
Europe
x
Played as the Belgian Open (Aug 8-10). Second-placed Henri de Lamaze (Fra, amateur) finished 9 shots behind Van Donck (Belg), who claimed the fourth of his five Belgian Open titles. [Royal Waterloo GC, Ferme Blaret, Rhode-Saint-Genese, nr Brussels. This course closed following the Club's move to a new location].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Oct 6-8). Second-placed Max Faulkner (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Bradshaw (Ire). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 16-19). Faulkner (Eng) beat Dai Rees (Wales) by 1 hole in the 36-hole final. [Ganton GC, nr Scarborough, North Yorkshire].
Europe
Daks
Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Flory van Donck (Belg) and Tom Haliburton (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Rees (Wales). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop 2000 Guineas Tournament (played over 90 holes). Second-placed Dai Rees (Wales) finished 5 shots behind Cotton (Eng). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
x
Played as the Dutch Open. Second-placed Piet Witte (Neth) finished 2 shots behind Van Donck (Belg), who claimed the last of his five Dutch Open titles. [Eindhovensche Golf, Valkenswaard, nr Eindhoven].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Won by Flory Van Donck (Belg). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Europe
x
Played as the Open de France. Second-placed Max Faulkner (Eng) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Locke (S Africa). [Vallée course, Racing Club de France (RCF), La Boulie GC, Versailles, nr Paris].
Europe
x
Played as the German Open. Won by Van Donck (Belg). [Frankfurter GC, Niederrad, Frankfurt am Main].
Europe
Swallow
Played as the Swallow-Harrogate Tournament. Hargreaves (Eng) beat Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final. [Harrogate GC, North Yorkshire - also known as Starbeck].
Europe
x
Played as the Irish Open (the first Irish Open since 1950, and not to be played again until 1975). Second-placed Harry Weetman (Eng) finished 1 shot behind wire-to-wire winner Brown (Scot). [Belvoir Park GC, Belfast, N. Ireland].
Europe
x
Played as the Italian Open. Second-placed Max Faulkner (Eng) and Dai Rees (Wales) finished 6 shots behind Van Donck (Belg), who claimed the third of his four Italian Open wins. [GC Villa d'Este, Montorfano, nr Como, Lombardy].
Europe
Penfold
Played as the Penfold Tournament (36-hole strokeplay followed by match play for the top 32 players). Lees (Eng) beat Ken Bousfield (Eng) by 2 holes in the final. [Llandudno Maesdu GC, Llandudno, N Wales].
Played as the inaugural Portuguese Open. Won by Eric Brown (Scot). [Estoril GC, Estoril, Portugal].
Europe
Silvertown Co.
Played as the (last) Silver King Tournament. Second-placed Ken Bousfield (Eng), Bill Branch (Eng) and John Pritchett (Eng) finished 6 shots behind Van Donck (Belg). [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Spalding
Played as the Spalding £1,350 Tournament (Aug 12-14). Second-placed Jack Hargreaves (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Bernard Hunt (Eng), who recorded his first top flight professional win. [Lower course, Worthing GC, West Sussex].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open. Won by defending champion Faulkner (Eng). [Arriba course, Real (Royal) Club de la Puerta de Hierro, Madrid].
Europe
Yorkshire Eve. News
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 17-19). Harry Bradshaw (Ire) finished 1 shot behind Flory Van Donck (Belg), who clinched victory with a final round 66. [Sand Moor GC, Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Asia
x
Played as the Philippine Open. Won by Larry Montes (Phil). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].
Japan
JGA
Played as the Japan Open (Oct 5-7; Japanese major ch'ship). Won by Son Shi-kin* (China) for the second time in three years. [Old course, Takarazuka GC, Takarazuka, Hyogo, Jpn]. *Son Shi-kin of China became a naturalised Japanese citizen in 1955, changing his name to Koichi Ono.
Japan
Japan E&W PGAs
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (June 15-18; Japanese major ch'ship). Chin (Taiw) beat Yoshiro Hayashi (Jpn) 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final. [Abiko GC, Abiko, Chiba, Japan].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Open (Oct 22-24). Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Von Nida (Aus), who recorded the last of his three Australian Open wins. [East course, Royal Melbourne GC, Victoria, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian PGA Ch'ship. Pickworth (Aus) beat Peter Thomson (Aus) by 1 hole in the final.
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand Open (Nov 13-15). Second-placed Frank Buckler (NZ) finished 5 shots behind Thomson (Aus), who won this event for the third time in four years. [Otago GC, Balmacewen, Dunedin, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship (Nov 15-18). 24-year-old Peter Thomson (Aus) beat four-time winner of this event Alex Murray (NZ) 9 and 7 in the 36-hole final. [Otago GC, Balmacewen, Dunedin, NZ].
Africa
SA Golf Union
Played as the South African Professional Match Play Ch'ship. Ritson (S Africa) beat A.J. Bullock 12 and 11 in the 36-hole final. [Royal Cape GC, Cape Town, Western Cape, RSA].
Africa
x
Played as the South African Open. Boyd (S Africa, amateur) narrowly beat Otway Hayes (S Africa; Dale Hayes' father) in a 36-hole playoff (Boyd 162, Hayes 163). [Royal Cape GC, Cape Town, Western Cape, RSA].
Awards
PGA of America
Mangrum (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Awards
PGA of America
Worsham (USA) was the PGA Tour 1953 leading money winner, with earnings of $34,002 on the Tour.
Awards
British PGA
Van Donck (Belg) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1953 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events. Van Donck's 71.06 average of was based on 29 rounds played.
Awards
PGA of America
Hogan (USA) won his fourth PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
