Cary Middlecoff won the first of his two U.S. Open titles, one stroke ahead of runners-up Clayton Heafner and Sam Snead.

Middlecoff began the championship with a 75, but rebounded with scores of 67-69 in the next two rounds to take a one-shot lead over Buck White after 54 holes.

Heafner then bogeyed 14 to fall one behind, a deficit he would not be able to overcome after missing a 6-footer for birdie at 18 that would have forced a Sunday playoff.

Snead also had a chance to force a playoff with a birdie at the last, but his approach shot missed the green and he could only save par.

Defending champion Ben Hogan missed the tournament after being severely injured in an automobile accident in February.