Jerry Barber, age 45, won his only major title in an 18-hole Monday playoff by one stroke over Don January, 67 to 68.

[3] Barber led at the midway point with a 136 (−4), two shots ahead of January and Doug Sanders.

[4][5][6] A top putter of the era, Barber sank 120 feet (37 m) of putts on the last three holes of the final round to erase a four-stroke deficit to January and force a Monday playoff.

Both tee shots found fairway bunkers, and Barber hit a 3-iron onto the green, 18 feet (5.5 m) from the cup.

The four 18-hole courses at Olympia Fields were reduced to two in the 1940s when the club sold half of its property.