Souchak Shoots 68 to Lead U.S. Open After First Round
Ransom and Barber One Shot Back; Palmer Opens With 72
DENVER, June 16 — Mike Souchak, the powerful Pennsylvanian known for his record‑breaking scoring bursts but still seeking his first major championship, took command of the 60th National Open today with a three‑under‑par 68 at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Souchak, 33, fashioned nines of 31 and 37 in warm, windless conditions that produced the largest opening‑day gallery in Open history — 13,767 spectators. Though his putting has often betrayed him, he needed only 24 strokes on the greens, twice putting from off the fringe.
His round gave him a one‑shot lead over two veteran campaigners, Henry Ransom and Jerry Barber, both of whom returned 69s.
Veterans Close Behind
Ransom, the 49‑year‑old Texan who now plays out of Illinois, posted a 32‑37 round despite wearing a bandage on his right wrist. Barber, the diminutive Los Angeles professional, birdied four holes on the back nine to match Ransom’s score.
Seven players followed at 70, including British Open champion Gary Player; former U.S. Open winner Jack Fleck; Bruce Crampton of Australia; Dick Stranahan of California; Joe Taylor of West Virginia; Doug Sanders of Miami Beach; and amateur Don Cherry of Texas.
Defending champion Billy Casper led a group at 71 that also included Ed Furgol, Stan Dudas, Dow Finsterwald, Ken Venturi, David Ragan, and amateur Jack Nicklaus.
Big Names Further Back
The pre‑tournament favorites were forced to look up the scoreboard. Arnold Palmer, the Masters champion and leading money winner, opened with a 72 after taking a six on the first hole when his drive rolled into a creek and a ball‑spotter mistakenly picked it up.
Art Wall Jr., Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, and Lloyd Mangrum also posted 72s. Ben Hogan, seeking a record fifth Open title, struggled to a 75 after three‑putting twice on the outward nine and taking six on the 18th.
Course Plays Tougher Than Expected
Though conditions were ideal, scoring was not as low as many predicted. Casper remarked that the course “couldn’t have played any easier,” while Palmer suggested that scores might improve as the championship progressed.
Souchak appeared ready to run away early, birdieing four of the first seven holes. But hooked drives cost him strokes at the 13th and 14th before he regained one with a 20‑foot birdie putt at the 16th.
Ransom’s only major slip came at the 17th, where a three‑putt cost him a share of the lead. Barber, meanwhile, relied on steady putting to offset erratic ball‑striking.
Among Philadelphia‑area players, Art Wall recovered from a poor start with a 34 on the back nine. Sam Penecale matched that inward score for a 73. Henry Williams Jr. birdied the 18th for a 74, while Jay Weitzel ran into trouble late, taking 14 strokes over the final two holes.
Hogan in Danger of Missing Cut
Hogan, two over at the turn, faltered badly coming home. His chip on the 18th was stubbed, and he needed two putts for a closing six. With 64 players ahead of him, he will need a strong second round to survive the cut to the low 50 and ties.
Play resumes Friday morning.
Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer June 17, 1960 via Newspapers.com