1961
Miss Wright used her extreme distance to
great advantage over the 6,372-yard par-72 course. She needed only 73
strokes on the four par-5 holes during the Championship-seven under par.
Miss Wright played the final 36 holes in 141, three below par, to pull
away from the field. She was six strokes ahead of runner-up Miss Betsy
Rawls. Miss Wright used her extreme distance to great advantage over the
6,372-yard par-72 course. She needed only 73 strokes on the four par-5
holes during the Championship—seven under par.
Miss Wright played nearly flawless golf
during the final round for her six-stroke margin. Miss Ruth Jessen finished
third with 300 and Miss Louis Suggs continued her achievement of being
the only player to finish in the top ten in every USGA Women's Open with
her fourth-place 301 score.
The Championship was marked by record galleries
estimated at 2,754 the first day, 3,081 the second day, and 3,757 the
final day. The total of 9,592 was 2.394 more than the previous record
of 7,198 set in 1959.
The prize money was $8,000, with Miss Wright's
check totaling $1,800.
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