Dick Mayer defeated defending champion Cary Middlecoff in an 18-hole playoff to win his only major title.

[4] Amateur Billy Joe Patton was the 36-hole co-leader with Mayer,[5] but fell back with consecutive 76s and tied for eighth.

[8][9] This U.S. Open witnessed the debut of 17-year-old amateur Jack Nicklaus,[10] who had consecutive rounds of 80 and missed the cut.

While Nicklaus was making his debut, three-time major winner Denny Shute was playing his last Open; he too missed the cut.

After receiving medical attention for a back ailment, four-time champion and pre-tournament favorite Ben Hogan withdrew prior to his first round on Thursday.