1950 U.S. Open (golf)

1950 U.S. Open

Tournament information
Dates	June 8–11, 1950
Location	Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Course(s)	Merion Golf Club, East Course
Organized by	USGA
Tour(s)	PGA Tour
Statistics
Par	70
Length	6,694 yards (6,121 m)[1]
Field	150 players, 52 after cut
Cut	149 (+9)
Prize fund	$15,000[2]
Winner's share	$4,000
Champion
Ben Hogan
287 (+7), playoff
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Merion GC

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Location in the United States

Merion GC 

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Location in Pennsylvania

The 1950 U.S. Open was the 50th U.S. Open, held June 8–11 at the East Course of Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia. In what became known as the "Miracle at Merion," 1948 champion Ben Hogan won the second of his four U.S. Open titles in an 18-hole playoff over 1946 champion Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio, just 16 months after being severely injured in an automobile accident.^[3][4] It was the fourth of Hogan's nine major titles.^[5]

Lee Mackey established a new tournament record by shooting a 64 in the first round,^[6][7][8] but followed that up with an 81 and finished in 25th place.^[9] His score of 64 was not bettered in any other major championship for 23 years, until Johnny Miller closed with a 63 at the U.S. Open in 1973 to win at Oakmont. Tommy Armour, three-time major champion and winner in 1927, played in his final major and missed the cut.

This was the second U.S. Open played at Merion's East Course, which previously hosted sixteen years earlier in 1934, won by Olin Dutra. Opened in 1912, the course was the site of the U.S. Amateur in 1916, 1924, and 1930; the first was the debut of Bobby Jones at age 14 (quarterfinalist) and the latter two he won. The 1930 victory was the fourth and final leg of his grand slam.

Hogan made his U.S. Open debut at Merion in 1934 at age 21. He shot 79 (+9) twice^[10] and missed the 36-hole cut by three strokes. He made his first cut at the U.S. Open in 1939 and did not miss another; his last was in 1967 at age 54.