1956 - Men (All)
The winners in the category "1956 - Men (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (20th) (April 5-8). Second-placed Ken Venturi (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jack "Jackie" Burke Jr (USA). In strong winds Burke equalled the then Masters highest winning total of 289 (also shot in 1954 by Sam Snead). [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (85th) (July 4-6). Second-placed Flory Van Donck (Belg) finished 3 shots behind Thomson (Aus), who won this title for the third straight year. This was the third of Thomson's five Open Championship wins. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (56th) (Jun 14-16). Second-placed Ben Hogan (USA) and Julius Boros (USA) finished 1 shot behind Cary Middlecoff (USA). [East course, Oak Hill CC, Pittsford, Rochester, NY].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (38th) (July 20-24). John "Jackie" Burke Jr (USA) beat Ted Kroll (USA) 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final, to win his second major championship of 1956. [Blue Hill CC, Canton, nr Boston, MA].
Amateur
R&A
The Amateur Championship (61st). Beharrell (Eng) beat Leslie Taylor (Scot) 5 and 4 in the final. [Old Course, Royal Troon GC, Troon, Ayrshire].
Amateur
USGA
The US Amateur Championship (56th) (Sept 10-15). Defending champion E. Harvie Ward (USA) beat Charles "Chuck" Kocsis (USA) 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final. [Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, IL].
America
x
Played as the Agua Caliente Open (Jan 19-22; last played in 1935). Second-placed Tommy Bolt (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mike Souchak (USA). [CS&DC de Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico].
America
George S. May
Played as the All American Open (Aug 2-5; aka the Tam O'Shanter). Second-placed Earl Stewart Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind 46-year-old E.J. "Dutch" Harrison (USA). [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
America
x
Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Fidel De Luca (Arg) finished in second place behind Cerda (Arg). [Cordoba GC, Villa Allende, Córdoba, Argentina].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Oct 11-15). Mike Fetchick (USA) won in a four-way 18-hole playoff, to record the second of his three PGA Tour wins. Playoff scores (all players from USA): Fetchick 6-under 66, Jay Hebert 71; Doug Ford 72; Don January 75. [Presidio GC, San Francisco, Calif.].
America
x
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Antonio Cerda (Arg) finished in second place behind De Luca (Arg). [Sao Paulo GC, Santo Amoro, Sao Paulo, Brazil].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 5-8; first Canadian Open to be televised). 22-year-old Doug Sanders (USA, amateur) beat Dow Finsterwald (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole (par-4 16th). Sanders recorded his first PGA Tour win, and became the only amateur ever to win this prestigious event. Sanders turned pro shortly after this win. [Beaconsfield GC, Pointe-Claire, Québec].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 3-6). Second-placed Tommy Bolt (USA) finished 1 shot behind Mike Souchak (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
America
x
Played as the Texas International Open (June 1-4). Thomson (Aus) beat Cary Middlecoff (USA) and Gene Littler (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole. [Preston Hollow CC, Dallas, TX. This club no longer exists].
America
x
Played as the Dallas Centennial Open (May 24-27; for the first time since 1946). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) and Doug Ford (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time PGA Tour winner January (USA). [Preston Hollow CC, Dallas, TX. This club no longer exists].
America
x
Played as the Colombian Open (Abierto de Colombia). Won by 26-year-old Palmer (USA) by 2 shots, who claimed his first win as a professional. [CC of Cali, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia].
America
x
Played as the Eastern Open (July 26-29). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) finished 2 shots behind Arnold Palmer (USA). [Mt Pleasant Municipal GC, Baltimore, MD].
America
Convair
Played as the Convair San Diego Open (Oct 4-7). Second-placed Dick Mayer (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rosburg (USA), who shot a final round 7-under-par 65 to capture the title. [Oak Glen course, Sycuan Resort, El Cajon, nr San Diego, CA; at the time known as Singing Hills GC].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 5-8). Second-placed Jerry Barber (USA) finished 3 shots behind Mangrum (USA), who won his fourth Los Angeles Open title in eight years, and the last of his 36 PGA Tour titles. [Rancho Park GC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
Arlington Hotel
Played as the Arlington Hotel Open (April 19-22). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) and Ernie Vossler (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Maxwell (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Arlington course, Hot Springs CC, Hot Springs, AR].
America
x
Played as the Houston Open (Feb 23-26). Second-placed Jack Burke Jr (USA) and Dave Douglas (USA) finished 3 shots behind Ted Kroll (USA). [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Jamaica Open. Won by De Vicenzo (Arg). [Constant Spring GC, Kingston, Jamaica].
America
KCGA
Played as the Kansas City Open (May 16-19). Second-placed Fred Hawkins (USA) and Bob Rosburg (USA) finished 1 shot behind Wininger (USA). [Milburn G&CC, nr Kansas City, KS].
America
Labatt Brewing
Played as the Labatt Open (July 12-15). Second-placed Jimmy Demaret (USA) finished 2 shots behind 25-year-old Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the first of his 51 PGA Tour wins. [Royal Québec GC, Boischatel, nr Québec City].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open. (Sept 18-20; Metropolitan Golf Assoc event). Second-placed Mike Turnesa (USA) finished 3 shots behind Doug Ford (USA), who shot a course record 7-under-par 66 in the final round to clinch the win. [Inwood CC, Inwood, Long Island, NY].
America
x
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Defending champion Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished in second place behind Maxwell (USA). [GC Chapultepec, Naucalpan, Mexico City].
America
x
Played as the Miami Beach Open (March 22-25). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) and Billy Maxwell (USA) finished 1 shot behind 28-year-old Gardner Dickinson Jr (USA), who recorded the first of his seven PGA Tour wins. [Miami Beach GC, Miami Beach, FL; at the time known as Bayshore GC].
America
Miller Brewing Co.
Played as the Milwaukee (Miller) Open (Aug 16-19). Second-placed Gene Littler (USA) finished 4 shots behind Ed Furgol (USA). [Tripoli CC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisconsin; from 2016 called the University Club of Milwaukee].
America
x
Played as the Motor City Open (Aug 30-Sept 2; last played in 1954; next played in 1959). Bob Rosburg (USA) beat Ed Furgol (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Western G&CC, Redford, nr Detroit, Mich].
Played as the Palm Beach Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Panama Open. Palmer (USA) beat Sam Snead (USA) with a birdie at the sixth sudden-death playoff hole. [GC de Panama, Panama City, Panama].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Championship (Jan 13-15; 54-hole event). Second-placed Mike Souchak (USA) finished 5 shots behind defending champion Middlecoff (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Pensacola Open (March 9-12). Second-placed Bo Winiger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Fairfield (USA), who recorded the first of his three PGA Tour wins. Monday finished required due to heavy rain on the Sunday. [Pensacola CC, Pensacola, FL].
America
Philadelphia Daily News
Played as the (second and last) Philadelphia Daily News Open (June 21-24). Dick Mayer (USA) beat Bud Holscher (USA) with a birdie-three at the second playoff hole. [Cobbs Creek GC, Philadelphia, PA].
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open (Feb 2-5). Second-placed Mike Souchak (USA) finished 3 shots behind Middlecoff (USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
Played as the inaugural Puerto Rico Open (Feb 4/5). Second-placed Herman Barron (USA) and Dick Ferguson (Ire) finished 5 shots behind Antonio Cerdá (Arg). Reduced from 54-holes to 36; Friday's first round cancelled due to rain. [Ft Buchanan GC, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico].
America
x
Played as the Rubber City Open (Sept 6-9). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ed Furgol (USA). [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
America
Mayfair Inn
Played as the Sanford Open (Dec 13-16). Second-placed Frank Stranahan (USA) finished 2 shots behind Mike Fetchick (USA), who recorded the last of his three PGA Tour wins. [Mayfair CC, Sanford, Florida].
America
x
Played as the Tournament of Champions (April 26-29). Second-placed Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 4 shots behind defending champion Littler (USA), who recorded the second of his three straight wins in this event. [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open Invitational (Feb 16-19). Second-placed Mike Fetchick (USA), Frank Stranahan (USA) and Ernie Vossler (USA) finished 2 shots behind Gene Littler (USA). [Ft Sam Houston GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Second-placed Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 1 shot behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open (Jun 28-Jul 1). Arnold Palmer (USA) beat Ted Kroll (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole, to record his second PGA Tour victory. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
x
Played as the Tucson Open Invitational (Feb 9-12). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) finished 3 shots behind Ted Kroll (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
America
George S. May
Played as the World Championship of Golf (Aug 9-12; PGA Tour event for the richest first prize in world golf). Second-placed Fred Hawkins (USA) finished 3 shots behind Ted Kroll (USA). [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 12-15). Defending champion Snead (USA) beat Fred Wampler (USA) with a 30-foot birdie putt at the second playoff hole. This was the sixth of Snead's eight wins in this event. [Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, NC].
Europe
x
Played as the Belgian Open (June 8-10). Second-placed Angel Miguel (Esp) finished 8 shots behind Van Donck (Belg), who claimed the last of his five Belgian Open titles. [Royal Latem GC, Sint-Martens-Latem, East Flanders, Belgium].
Europe
UK / Ire PGA
Played as the PGA Close Championship (July 25-28; for UK & Ireland professionals only). Charlie Ward (Eng) beat Eric Brown (Scot) by 2 shots in a 36-hole playoff: Ward 139 (68 and 71), Brown 141 (66 and 75). [Llandudno Maesdu GC, Llandudno, Conwy, Wales].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sept 19/20). Second-placed Eric Brown (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire). [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 12-15). Panton (Scot) beat Harry Weetman (Eng) by 1 hole in the 36-hole final. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].
Europe
Daks
Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Eric Brown (Scot), Tom Haliburton (Scot) and Peter Mills (Eng) finished 9 shots behind Wilkes (S Africa). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Tournament (played over 90 holes). Second-placed Arthur Lees (Eng) finished 2 shots behind 20-year-old Player (S Africa), who recorded his first top-flight tournament win in England. [New course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Europe
x
Played as the Dutch Open (July 12-15). Second-placed Gerard de Wit (Neth) finished 5 shots behind Cerdá (Arg). [Eindhovensche Golf, Valkenswaard, nr Eindhoven].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Won by Dai Rees (Wales). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Played as the Open de France. Second-placed Trevor Wilkes (S Africa), Flory Van Donck (Belg) and Antonio Cerdá (Arg) finished 4 shots behind Miguel (Esp). [Deauville GC, Normandy. Now called Golf Barrière de Deauville].
Europe
x
Played as the German Open. Van Donck (Belg) and Eric Brown (Scot) tied after 72 holes. They then tied at 71 each in an 18-hole playoff. Van Donck prevailed at the fourth sudden-death playoff hole. [Frankfurter GC, Niederrad, Frankfurt am Main].
Played as the Italian Open. Cerda (Arg) beat Flory Van Donck (Belg) in a playoff. [Milano GC, Villasanta, Monza, nr Milan].
Europe
Swallow / Penfold
Played as the Swallow-Penfold Tournament. Second-placed Max Faulkner (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Eric Lester (Eng). [Royal Burgess GC, Barnton, nr Edinburgh].
Played as the Portuguese Open (Nov 2-4). Second-placed Bernard Hunt (Eng) and Syd Scott (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Ángel Miguel (Esp), who recorded his second win in this event in three years. [Estoril GC, Estoril, Portugal].
Europe
Spalding
Played as the Spalding £1,350 Tournament (April 18-20; British PGA circuit season-opener). Harry Weetman (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) finished in a tie for first place. Gary Player (S Africa) was three shots further back in third. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Spalding
Played as the Spalding £1,350 Tournament (April 18-20; British PGA circuit season-opener). Harry Weetman (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) finished in a tie for first place. Gary Player (S Africa) was three shots further back in third. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open. Won by Peter Alliss (Eng). [Real (Royal) GC El Prat, El Prat de Llobregat, nr Barcelona Airport. Club now located in Terrassa, nr Barcelona].
Europe
x
Second-placed Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished 5 shots behind Ben Hogan (USA), who won the International Trophy for best individual score in the Canada Cup. Team winners of the Cup: Ben Hogan & Sam Snead (USA). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Yorkshire Eve. News
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 20-22). Dai Rees (Wales) and Ken Bousfield (Eng) finished in a tie for first place. Eric Lester (Eng) finished 4 shots further back in third place. [Moortown GC, nr Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 20-22). Dai Rees (Wales) and Ken Bousfield (Eng) finished in a tie for first place. Eric Lester (Eng) finished 4 shots further back in third place. [Moortown GC, nr Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Asia
x
Played as the Philippine Open. Ben Arda (Phil) finished in second place behind defending champion Tugot (Phil). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].
Japan
JGA
Played as the Japan Open (Sept 18-20; Japanese major ch'ship). Won for the second time by Torakichi "Pete" Nakamura (Jpn). [West course, Kasumigaseki CC, Kawagoe, Saitama, nr Tokyo].
Japan
Japan E&W PGAs
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (Japanese major ch'ship). Hayashi (Jpn) beat Tsunekichi Arai (Jpn) 7 and 6 in the final. [Nagoya GC, Aichi, Jpn].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Open (Aug 9-11). Second-placed Kelvin "Kel" Nagle (Aus) finished 2 shots behind 20-year-old Crampton (Aus). [Royal Sydney GC, Rose Bay, Sydney, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian PGA Ch'ship. Wilson (Aus) beat L. Woodward (Aus) 4 and 2 in the final. [St Michael's GC, Little Bay, Sydney, NSW].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand Open (Oct 11-13). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) finished 2 shots behind Berwick (Aus; amateur), who was described in news articles as a 33-year-old bricklaying contractor. [Christchurch GC, Shirley Links, Christchurch, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship (Oct 14-17). John Kelly (Aus/NZ) beat Ernie Southerden (Eng/NZ) 1 up in the final. [Christchurch GC, Shirley Links, Christchurch, NZ].
Africa
SA Golf Union
Played as the South African Professional Match Play Ch'ship. Redford (S Africa) beat Gary Player (S Africa) in the 36-hole final. [Durban CC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa].
Played as the South African Open. Second-placed Bruce Keyter (S Africa) finished 3 shots behind 20-year-old Player (S Africa). This was the first of 13 South African Open wins for Player. [Durban CC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa].
Awards
PGA of America
Middlecoff (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Awards
PGA of America
Kroll (USA) was the PGA Tour 1956 leading money winner, with earnings of $72,835 on the Tour. Dow Finsterwald (USA) was second on the money list.
Awards
British PGA
Weetman (Eng) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1956 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events. Weetman's 71.06 was based on 33 rounds played.
Awards
PGA of America
Burke (USA) won the 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
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