1961 - Men (All)
The winners in the category "1961 - Men (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (25th) (April 6-10). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) and Charles Coe (USA, amateur) finished 1 shot behind Player (RSA), who claimed the first of his three Masters titles. Player became the first non-American to don the coveted Masters green jacket. Monday finish required following earlier weather delays. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (90th) (July 12-14). Second-placed Dai Rees (Wales) finished 1 shot behind Palmer (USA). [Royal Birkdale GC, Southport, Merseyside].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (61st) (Jun 15-17). Second-placed Doug Sanders (USA) and Bob Goalby (USA) finished 1 shot behind Littler (USA). [South course, Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (43rd) (July 27-31). 45-year-old Barber (USA) beat Don January (USA) in an 18-hole playoff: Barber 67 (-3), January 68 (-2). This was Barber's first and only major championship win. [Olympia Fields CC, nr Chicago, IL].
Amateur
R&A
The Amateur Championship (66th). Bonallack (Eng) beat James Walker (Scot) 6 and 4 in the final. This was the first of Bonallack's five Amateur Championship wins. [Ailsa course, Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire].
Amateur
USGA
The US Amateur Championship (61st) (Sept 11-16). Jack Nicklaus (USA) beat Dudley Wysong Jr (USA) 8 and 6 in the 36-hole final. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, Calif.].
Amateur
USGA
Played as the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Richard "Dick" Sikes (USA) beat John Mondela (USA) 4 and 3 in the final. [Rackham GC, Detroit, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the "500" Festival Open Invitational (May 25-28; held in conjunction with the Indy 500 race week). Defending champion Doug Ford (USA) beat Arnold Palmer (USA) with a 12-foot birdie putt at the second playoff hole. [Brickyard Crossing GC, at the time known as Speedway GC, Indianapolis, IN].
America
x
Played as the Almaden Open (Nov 2-5; PGA Tour event). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jim Ferrier (Aus/USA), who recorded the last of his 18 PGA Tour wins. [Almaden CC, San Jose, CA; now called Almaden G&CC].
America
x
Played as the inaugural American Golf Classic (Aug 24-27). Jay Hebert (USA) beat Gary Player (RSA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole (par-5 2nd), to record the last of his seven PGA Tour wins. [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the Palm Springs Golf Classic (Feb 1-5). Second-placed Doug Sanders (USA) finished 2 shots behind Maxwell (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Tamarisk CC, Rancho Mirage, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Bermuda Dunes CC; Indian Wells CC; Thunderbird CC; Eldorado CC].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Argentine Masters (Torneo de Maestros). Second-placed Leopoldo Ruiz (Arg) finished 7 shots behind Orellana (Chile). [Olivos GC, Pablo Nogués, Buenos Aires].
America
x
Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Esteban Sorolla (Arg) finished in second place behind defending champion De Luca (Arg). [Lomas Athletic Club, La Union, Buenos Aires].
Played as the Baton Rouge Open Invitational.
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (June 22-25). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 2 shots behind Arnold Palmer (USA). [Blythefield CC, Belmont, nr Grand Rapids, Mich].
America
x
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Second-placed Mario Gonzalez (Brazil) finished 4 shots behind Alliss (Eng). [Gavea GC, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro].
America
Buick
Played as the Buick Open Invitational (Jun 29-Jul 3). Jack Burke Jr (USA) beat Billy Casper (USA) and Johnny Pott (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Burke 71, Casper 74, Pott 74). [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Cajun Classic (Nov 16-19). Second-placed Ken Still (USA) finished 6 shots behind Sanders (USA). [Oakbourne CC, Lafayette, Louisiana].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 12-15). Second-placed Bobby Nichols (USA), Dow Finsterwald (USA) and Buster Cupit (USA, Jacky's older brother) finished 5 shots behind 23-year-old Jacky Cupit (USA), who recorded the first of his four PGA Tour wins. [Niakwa CC, Winnipeg, MB].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 11-14). Second-placed Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Doug Sanders (USA). [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
Played as the Chile Open (Abierto de Chile). Won by De Vicenzo (Arg).
America
x
Played as the Dallas Open Invitational (Sept 1-4). Second-placed Gay Brewer (USA), Arnold Palmer (USA) and Doug Sanders (USA) finished 1 shot behind Stewart (USA), who recorded the last of his three PGA Tour wins. [GC of Dallas, Dallas, TX; at the time called Oak Cliff CC].
America
x
Played as the Colombian Open (Abierto de Colombia). Won by De Vicenzo (Arg). [Club El Rodeo, Medellín, Colombia].
America
x
Played as the Eastern Open (Aug 3-6). Second-placed Ken Venturi (USA) finished 1 shot behind Doug Sanders (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Lutherville, Maryland].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open Invitational (Jan 12-15). Palmer (USA) beat Al Balding (Can) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. Balding was also runner-up to Palmer in this event in 1957. [Riverwalk GC, San Diego, CA; at the time known as Mission Valley CC].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 6-9; PGA Tour season opener). Second-placed Eric Brown (Scot) and Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 3 shots behind Goalby (USA). [Rancho Park GC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the (last) Hesperia Open Invitational (Oct 8; unofficial one-day 36-hole money event). Second-placed Jerry Steelsmith (USA) finished 3 shots behind Tony Lema (USA). [Hesperia G&CC, Hesperia, CA].
America
x
Played as the Hot Springs Open (May 18-21). Second-placed Dave Ragan (USA) and Jerry Steelsmith (USA) finished 1 shot behind Doug Sanders (USA). [Arlington course, Hot Springs CC, Hot Springs, AR].
America
x
Played as the Houston Classic (April 20-24). Jay Hebert (USA) beat Ken Venturi (USA) with a birdie at the first sudden-death playoff hole, after both men shot 1-under-par 69s in an 18-hole Monday playoff. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Jamaica Open (Caribbean tour event). Won by Ferree (USA).
America
Haig Scotch
Played as the Haig & Haig Scotch Mixed Foursome (two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Winning team: Dave Ragan (USA) & Mickey Wright (USA). [Co-hosted by Pinecrest Lakes GC (now Pinecrest GC), Avon Park, FL and Harder Hall GC, Sebring, FL].
America
Lucky Lager
Played as the Inaugural Lucky International Open (Jan 26-29). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) and Don Whitt (USA) finished 2 shots behind Gary Player (S Africa). [Harding Park GC, San Francisco, Calif. Now known as TPC Harding Park].
America
x
Played as the Maracaibo Open (Caribbean tour event). Won by Whitt (USA). [Maracaibo CC, Maracaibo, Venezuela].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open. (Sept 20, 22, 27; Metropolitan Golf Assoc event). Second-placed Claude Harmon (USA) and Mike Fetchick (USA) finished 2 shots behind Wes Ellis (USA), who won this event for the second time in three years. The event took eight days to complete: first round Weds, rain Thurs, second round Fri, final 36 holes the following Weds. [East course, Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY].
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Antonio Cerda (Arg) finished in second place behind Lema (USA). [Club de Golf Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico].
America
x
Played as the Coral Gables Open (Dec 7-10). Second-placed Gay Brewer Jr (USA) finished 1 shot behind 24-year-old George Knudson (Can), who recorded the first of his eight PGA Tour wins. [The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, FL].
America
x
Played as the Milwaukee Open (Jul 20-23; last Milwaukee Open, until it reappeared in 1968 as the Greater Milwaukee Open). Second-placed Gay Brewer (USA) and Bob Goalby (USA) finished 1 shot behind 25-year-old Bruce Crampton (Aus), who recorded the first of his 14 PGA Tour wins. [North Hills CC, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin].
America
x
Played as the Greater New Orleans Open Invitational (March 2-5). Second-placed Gay Brewer Jr (USA) and Mac Main (USA) finished 5 shots behind Doug Sanders (USA). [Bayou Oaks at City Park, New Orleans, LA. Played on what was known as City Park's No.1 (East) course; now part of the South course).
America
x
Played as the Orange County Invitational (Oct 19-22). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA), Don Fairfield (USA), Marty Furgol (USA), Phil Rodgers (USA) and Jacky Cupit (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time PGA Tour winner McCallister (USA). [Mesa Verde CC, Costa Mesa, nr Newport Beach, CA].
America
x
Played as the Panama Open. Won by Pete Cooper (USA). [GC de Panama, Panama City, Panama].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 19-22). Second-placed Dave Ragan (USA) and Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished 1 shot behind Rosburg (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
America
x
Played as the Pensacola Open (March 9-12). Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Bolt (USA), who recorded the last of his 15 PGA Tour wins. [Pensacola CC, Pensacola, FL].
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open Invitational (Feb 9-13). Palmer (USA) beat Doug Sanders (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Palmer 67; Sanders 70). [Arizona CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
x
Played as the Portland Open Invitational (Sept 21-24). Second-placed Dave Hill (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who won this event for the third straight time. [Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, OR].
America
x
Played as the Puerto Rico Open (March 2-5; Caribbean tour event). Second-placed Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished 7 shots behind Billy Maxwell (USA). [Berwind CC, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico].
America
Sahara Hotel
Played as the Sahara Pro-Am (Oct 25/26; 54-hole unofficial PGA Tour event). Second-placed Billy Maxwell (USA) and Bob McCallister (USA) finished 2 shots behind 23-year-old tour rookie Phil Rodgers (USA), who won his first event as a professional. [Paradise Valley CC, Henderson, NV; now called Wildhorse GC. Las Vegas GC Municipal course was also used].
America
x
Played as the Greater Seattle Open (Sept 14-17; last played in 1945). Dave Marr (USA) beat Jacky Cupit (USA) and Bob Rosburg (USA) with a birdie-four at the first playoff hole, to record the first of his three PGA Tour titles. [Broadmoor GC, Seattle, WA].
America
x
Played as the Tournament of Champions (May 4-7). Second-placed Tommy Bolt (USA) finished 7 shots behind Snead (USA). [Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada; at the time known as Desert Inn CC].
America
x
Played as the Memphis Open Invitational (June 1-4). Second-placed Mike Souchak (USA) and Gardner Dickinson (USA) finished 5 shots behind Middlecoff (USA). Home-town winner Middlecoff (the "Memphis dentist") recorded the last of his 40 PGA Tour wins. [Colonial CC, White Station, Memphis, TN. Club relocated to Cordova, nr Memphis in 1972].
America
x
Played as the first (and only) Sunshine Open Invitational (March 23-26). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Gary Player (RSA). [Miami Beach GC, Miami Beach, FL; at the time known as Bayshore GC].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open Invitational (April 27-30). Second-placed Al Balding (Can) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Arnold Palmer (USA), who recorded the second of his three wins in this event. [Oak Hills CC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open (Aug 10-13). Billy Maxwell (USA) beat Ted Kroll (USA) with a birdie at the seventh playoff hole. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
x
Played as the Home of the Sun Open (Feb 16-19). 23-year-old Dave Hill (USA) beat Tommy Bolt (USA) and Bud Sullivan (USA) with a 27-foot birdie-putt at the third playoff hole, to record his first PGA Tour win. This was the tournament's first sudden-death playoff; in 1957 there had been an 18-hole playoff. [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
America
x
Played as the Caracas Open (for the first time since 1957) (Caribbean tour event). Second-placed Joe Moore (USA) finished 8 shots behind Whitt (USA). [Valle Arriba GC, Caracas, Venezuela].
America
x
Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 8 shots behind Snead (USA), who won the International Trophy for best individual score in the Canada Cup. Team winners of the Cup: Sam Snead & Jimmy Demaret (USA). [East course, TPC Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico; at the time known as Dorado Beach Resort].].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 13-16). Second-placed and defending champion Sam Snead (USA) finished 7 shots behind Mike Souchak (USA). [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
Europe
Schweppes
Played as the Schweppes PGA Close Championship (April 6-8; for UK & Ireland professionals only). Second-placed Peter Alliss (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) finished 3 shots behind Bamford (Eng). [Outer course, Royal Mid-Surrey GC, Richmond, Surrey].
Europe
Bowmaker
Played as the Bowmaker £3000 Tournament (a 36-hole pro-am event). Second-placed Denis Hutchinson (S Africa) and Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Charles (NZ), who became the first left-handed professional to win a top-flight event in Britain. [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Sept 14-16). Second-placed Christy O'Connor Sr (Ire) finished 8 shots behind Thomson (Aus). [Royal Porthcawl GC, Mid Glamorgan, Wales].
Europe
News of the World
Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 6-9). Thomson (Aus) beat Ralph Moffitt (Eng) 3 and 1 in the 18-hole final. [Old course, Walton Heath GC, Walton on the Hill, Surrey].
Europe
Daks
Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Neil Coles (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Hunt (Eng). [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop £6000 Tournament. Second-placed Frank Pillips (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Nagle (Aus). [Notts GC, Hollinwell, nr Mansfield, England].
Played as the Dutch Open (July 27-30). Second-placed Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 2 shots behind Brian Wilkes (RSA). [Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, Netherlands].
Europe
Esso
Played as the inaugural Esso Golden Tournament (Aug 24-26; 15-player round-robin match play format). Peter Thomson (Aus) and Dave Thomas (Wales) finished in a tie for first place with 21pts. Bernard Hunt (Eng) finished 3 pts further back in third place. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Esso
Played as the inaugural Esso Golden Tournament (Aug 24-26; 15-player round-robin match play format). Peter Thomson (Aus) and Dave Thomas (Wales) finished in a tie for first place with 21pts. Bernard Hunt (Eng) finished 3 pts further back in third place. [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
x
Played as the Swiss Open. Dai Rees (Wales) finished in second place behind Nagle (Aus). [GC Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland].
Europe
x
Played as the Open de France. Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 4 shots behind Nagle (Aus). [Vallée course, Racing Club de France (RCF), La Boulie GC, Versailles, nr Paris].
Played as the German Open. Won by Hunt (Eng). [Krefelder GC, Krefeld, nr Dusseldorf].
Europe
Martini
Played as the inaugural £6000 Martini International (May 4-6). Hunt (Eng) beat George Low (Scot) in a 5-hole playoff (Hunt 16, Low 20). [East course, Sundridge Park GC, nr Bromley, Kent].
Europe
Swallow / Penfold
Played as the Swallow-Penfold Tournament. Second-placed Bernard Hunt (Eng) finished 6 shots behind Bousfield (Eng). [Stoneham GC, Southampton, Hampshire].
Europe
x
Played as the Portuguese Open (Oct 26-29). Second-placed Dave Thomas (Wales) finished 5 shots behind defending champion Ken Bousfield (Eng). [Estoril GC, Estoril, Portugal].
Europe
x
Played as the Spanish Open. Won by Angel Miguel (Esp). Angel's brother Sebastian was defending champion. This was the second of Angel Miguel's two Spanish Open wins (1961 and '64). Sebastian won the title three times (1954, '60 and '67). [Arriba course, Real (Royal) Club de la Puerta de Hierro, Madrid].
Europe
Yorkshire Eve. News
Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1735 Tournament (June 21-23). Second-placed Dai Rees (Wales) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Peter Thomson (Aus). [Sand Moor GC, Leeds, W Yorks, England].
Asia
x
Played as the Hong Kong Open. Defending champion and second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) finished 6 shots behind Nagle (Aus). [New course, Hong Kong GC, Fanling; at the time known as Royal Hong Kong GC].
Asia
x
Played as the Korea Open (Oct 22-24). Won by Hsieh (Taiw). [Gurakbu course, Seoul CC, Neung-dong, Seoul; this course/club no longer exists].
Asia
x
Played as the KPGA Championship (Jun 30-Jul 2). Defending champion Chang-sang Hahn (S Kor) finished in second place behind Bok-man Kim (S Kor). [Gurakbu course, Seoul CC, Neung-dong, Seoul; this course/club no longer exists].
Asia
x
Played as the Philippine Open. Second-placed Yung-yo Hsieh (Taiw) finished 2 shots behind "Bantam Ben" Arda (Phil). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].
Asia
x
Played as the inaugural Singapore Open (prior to 1961 the Singapore Open was an amateur championship). Second-placed Darrel Welch (Aus) finished 8 shots behind Phillips (Aus), who led by 11 going into the final round. [Island course, Singapore Island CC; at the time known as the Royal Island Club].
Japan
JGA
Played as the Japan Open (Nov 8-10; Japanese major ch'ship). Hosoishi (Jpn) won in a playoff. [Takanodai CC, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture].
Japan
PGA of Japan
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (May 16-18; Japanese major ch'ship; return to stroke-play after several years of matchplay). Second-placed Yoshiaki Fujii (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind Hayashi (Jpn). [Koga GC, Shishibu, nr Koga, Fukuoka, Jpn].
Japan
x
Played as the Chunichi Crowns - All Japan Amateur & Professional Championship. Won by Ishii (Jpn). [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian Open (Nov 23-25). Second-placed Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Phillips (Aus). [Victoria GC, Melbourne, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the Australian PGA Ch'ship. Murray (Aus) beat Frank Phillips (Aus) 2 and 1 in the final. [Rossdale GC, Aspendale, nr Melbourne, Aus].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand Open (Oct 11-14). Second-placed Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 9 shots behind Thomson (Aus), who won this event for the third straight year. This was the fifth straight year that Thomson and Nagle finished in the top two positions. [New Plymouth GC, Ngamotu Links, New Plymouth, NZ].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the New Zealand PGA Championship (Oct 15-18). Bob Charles (NZ) beat Joe Paterson (NZ) 10 and 9 in the 36-hole final, to record the last of his three wins in this event. Charles won his semi-final match 11 and 10. [New Plymouth GC, Ngamotu Links, New Plymouth, NZ].
Africa
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop South African Masters (Feb 2-5). Won by Hutchinson (RSA). [Blomfontein GC, Free State Province, RSA].
Africa
x
Played as the South African Open (50th). Second-placed Barry Franklin (S Africa, amateur) finished 8 shots behind 22-year-old Waltman (RSA). [East London GC, Eastern Cape, RSA].
Awards
PGA of America
Palmer (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Awards
PGA of America
Player (RSA) was the PGA Tour 1961 leading money winner, with earnings of $64,540 on the Tour. Arnold Palmer (USA) was second with $61,091; Doug Sanders (USA) was third with $57,428.
Awards
British PGA
O'Connor (Ire) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1961 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events. O'Connor's 70.80 was based on 40 rounds played.
Awards
PGA of America
Barber (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).
Awards
British PGA
Caygill (Eng) won the British PGA 1961 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season tour player.
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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