| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 25–28, 1953 |
| Location | Rochester, New York |
| Course(s) | Country Club of Rochester |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play – 72 holes |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 74 |
| Length | 6,417 yards (5,868 m)[1] |
| Field | 37: 17 pros, 20 amateurs |
| Prize fund | $7,500 |
| Winner's share | $2,000 |
| Champion | |
 Betsy Rawls | |
| 302 (+6), playoff | |
The 1953 U.S. Women's Open was the eighth U.S. Women's Open, held June 25–28 at the Country Club of Rochester in Rochester, New York. It was the first U.S. Women's Open conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA),[2][3][4] and the final two rounds were played on Saturday.[5]
Betsy Rawls won an 18-hole playoff on Sunday by six strokes over runner-up Jackie Pung, 71 to 77. It was the third of eight major championships for Rawls and the second of four U.S. Women's Opens.
Patty Berg set a course record with a 71 on Thursday and was the 36-hole leader on Friday evening, eight strokes ahead of the field.[1][6] Her final two rounds of 80 and 79 on Saturday dropped her to solo third, one stroke out of the playoff.[7]
Notably absent was two-time champion Babe Zaharias, who was recovering from colon cancer surgery.[2][8][9] She returned in 1954 and won by a record twelve strokes in her final U.S. Women's Open.
- ^ a b "Berg blows to an 80 in 3d round of Open". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. June 27, 1953. p. 8.
- ^ a b Talbot, Gayle (June 24, 1953). "First Open championship in play at Rochester, NY Thurs". Nashua Telegraph. New Hampshire. Associated Press. p. 15.
- ^ "Rawls is winner in Women's Open". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. June 29, 1953. p. 16.
- ^ Voepel, Mechelle (July 7, 2002). "Founders marvel at tour's success". Toledo Blade. Ohio. p. 5, section JF.
- ^ "Pung, Rawls tie in women's golf". St. Petersburg Times. Florida. Associated Press. June 28, 1953. p. 3C.
- ^ "Patty Berg lengthens lead in Open tourney". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. June 26, 1953. p. 13.
- ^ "Rawls, Pung in Open playoff". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. June 28, 1953. p. 4, sports.
- ^ Considine, Bob (August 6, 1956). "Babe Zaharias, greatest girl athlete of all time, fights gamely in big battle". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. p. 1.
- ^ "Babe Zaharias loses match with cancer, dies in sleep". Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. September 27, 1956. p. 8.