1954 U.S. Open (golf)
Player Country Year ( s ) won R1 R2 Total To par
Tony Manero United States 1936 77 80 157 +17
Johnny Farrell United States 1928 79 79 158 +18
Billy Burke United States 1931 82 86 168 +28
Chick Evans ( a ) United States 1916 88 85 173 +33
Gene Sarazen United States 1922 , 1932 79 WD
Past champions in the field -- Missed the cut
The 1954 U.S. Open was the 54th U.S. Open, held June 17-19 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, west of New York City. On the Lower Course, Ed Furgol won his only major title, one stroke ahead of runner-up Gene Littler. Littler owned the 36-hole lead by two strokes over defending champion Ben Hogan and Furgol. After a 76 in the third round, Littler fell three strokes back of Furgol, who shot a 71 to take a one-stroke lead over Dick Mayer. Hogan made four bogeys at the first six holes and fell out of contention with a 76. In the final round on Saturday afternoon, Littler rebounded with a 70, but it was not enough. Furgol was helped by a great recovery on the 18th. After hitting his drive into the trees, he played his escape shot onto the 18th fairway of Baltusrol's other course. From there he managed to make par, carding a 72 for a 284 total. Mayer was tied with Furgol as he played 18, but he double-bogeyed the hole to fall into third. This U.S. Open was the first to be nationally televised, one hour of the final round, carried by NBC. It was also the first in which ropes were used to control the gallery, and prize money was increased by 20% over the previous year.