1981 U.S. Open
Tournament information
DatesJune 18–21, 1981
LocationArdmore, Pennsylvania
Course(s)Merion Golf Club
East Course
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)PGA Tour
Statistics
Par70
Length6,544 yards (5,984 m)[1]
Field156 players, 70 after cut
Cut147 (+7)
Prize fund$361,730
Winner's share$55,000
Champion
Australia David Graham
273 (−7)
Merion GC is located in the United States
Merion GC
Merion GC
Location in the United States

The 1981 U.S. Open was the 81st U.S. Open, held June 18–21 at the East Course of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia. David Graham won his second major title and became the first Australian to win the U.S. Open, three strokes ahead of runners-up George Burns and Bill Rogers.[1][2][3]

After a first round 66, Jim Thorpe made history as the first African-American since 1896 to lead the U.S. Open.[4] Burns took a one-stroke lead over Graham with a 66 in the second round, then increased his lead to three strokes after 54 holes.

In the final round on Sunday, Graham shot one of the most precise rounds in U.S. Open history. He hit nearly every green in regulation, missed just one fairway, and recorded four birdies, missing several other opportunities from within 10 feet (3 m). The only bogey was a three-putt at the fifth, after his approach shot stopped above the hole.[5] After a string of eight pars, Graham finally passed Burns with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes. Graham carded a 67 to Burns' 73 to win by three strokes. Rogers shot 69 to tie Burns for 2nd and won the British Open four weeks later.

This was the fourth U.S. Open played at Merion, all at its East Course. Previous editions were hosted in 1934, 1950, and 1971. At 6,544 yards (5,984 m),[1] the same length as 1971, it was the shortest U.S. Open course since 1947. With heavy rains softening the course before the tournament, 93 rounds of par 70 or better were recorded. Fifteen players were under par after 36 holes, but only five finished under par for the four rounds. Five more were at even par 280, including defending champion Jack Nicklaus, a four-time winner.

After 1981, the U.S. Open was not played at Merion until 2013.

Course layout

East Course

Hole123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
Yards3555351836004264203503601953,4243123704051294143784302244583,1206,544
Par453544443364443444343470

Source:[6]

Lengths of the course for previous U.S. Opens:

  • 1971: 6,544 yards (5,984 m), par 70
  • 1950: 6,694 yards (6,121 m), par 70
  • 1934: 6,694 yards (6,121 m), par 70

Round summaries

First round

Thursday, June 18, 1981

PlacePlayerScoreTo par
1United States Jim Thorpe66−4
2United States J. C. Snead67−3
T3United States Bob Ackerman68−2
United States John Cook
Australia David Graham
United States Jack Renner
United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez
T8United States George Burns69−1
United States Rex Caldwell
United States Hubert Green
United States Lon Hinkle
United States Billy Kratzert
United States Johnny Miller
United States Jack Nicklaus
United States Tommy Valentine

Second round

Friday, June 19, 1981

PlacePlayerScoreTo par
1United States George Burns69-66=135−5
2Australia David Graham68-68=136−4
T3United States Jack Nicklaus69-68=137−3
United States Tommy Valentine69-68=137
T5United States John Cook68-70=138−2
United States Billy Kratzert69-69=138
Australia Greg Norman71-67=138
United States Bill Rogers70-68=138
T9United States Jerry Pate70-69=139−1
United States Jack Renner68-71=139
United States John Schroeder71-68=139
United States Scott Simpson72-67=139
United States Jim Thorpe66-73=139
United States Lanny Wadkins71-68=139
United States Tom Watson70-69=139

Amateurs: Rassett (E), Cooksey (+6), Norton (+8), Pavin (+9), DeFrancesco (+10), White (+10), Sindelar (+11), Faxon (+12), Lawrence (+14), Sanchez (+14), Moore (+15), Mudd (+15), Yokoi (+15), Biancalana (+16), Jones (+16), Ludwig (+16), Magee (+17), Hurter (+21), Brodie (+22).

Third round

Saturday, June 20, 1981

PlacePlayerScoreTo par
1United States George Burns69-66-68=203−7
2Australia David Graham68-68-70=206−4
3United States Bill Rogers70-68-69=207−3
T4United States Jack Nicklaus69-68-71=208−2
United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez68-73-67=208
United States John Schroeder71-68-69=208
T7United States John Cook68-70-71=209−1
United States Ben Crenshaw70-75-64=209
United States Jim Thorpe66-73-70=209
United States Tommy Valentine69-68-72=209

Final round

Sunday, June 21, 1981

PlacePlayerScoreTo parMoney ($)
1Australia David Graham68-68-70-67=273−755,000
T2United States George Burns69-66-68-73=276−424,650
United States Bill Rogers70-68-69-69=276
T4United States John Cook68-70-71-70=279−116,200
United States John Schroeder71-68-69-71=279
T6United States Frank Conner71-72-69-68=280E9,920
United States Lon Hinkle69-71-70-70=280
United States Jack Nicklaus69-68-71-72=280
United States Sammy Rachels70-71-69-70=280
United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez68-73-67-72=280

Amateur: Rassett (+14).

Scorecard

Final round

Hole 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 101112131415161718
Par453544443444344434
Australia Graham−5−6−6−6−5−5−5−5−5−5−5−5−5−6−7−7−7−7
United States Burns−7−7−7−6−6−6−6−6−6−5−5−5−5−5−5−4−5−4
United States Rogers−3−3−3−3−3−2−2−3−4−3−3−4−4−4−4−3−3−4

Cumulative playoff scores, relative to par

Birdie Bogey

Source:[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Graham conquers Open crew". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. June 22, 1981. p. 17.
  2. ↑ Jenkins, Dan (June 29, 1981). "Graham didn't crack". Sports Illustrated. p. 18.
  3. ↑ Parascenzo, Marino (June 22, 1981). "Graham wins Open with 7-under". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 21.
  4. ↑ Lieber, Jill (June 19, 1981). "Thorpe makes his name known with 66 in Open". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1-part 2.
  5. ↑ Shedloski, Dave (May 14, 2013). "Looking Back...1981 U.S. Open at Merion". United States Golf Association. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Stat Sheet, Golf: U.S. Open yards and par". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. June 18, 1981. p. 28.
  7. ↑ "Scoreboard: U.S. Open leader cards". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 22, 1981. p. 26.

40°00′04″N 75°18′43″W / 40.001°N 75.312°W / 40.001; -75.312

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