Hebert Captures PGA Championship by One Stroke
Birdies on 15 and 17 Seal Victory; Ferrier Runner‑Up at 282
AKRON, Ohio, July 24 — Jay Hebert of Louisiana claimed the 42nd Professional Golfers’ Association Championship today with a steady, determined final‑round 70, finishing with a 72‑hole total of 281 to defeat Jim Ferrier by a single stroke. A record crowd of 14,141 followed the leaders across Firestone’s rugged 7,165‑yard course as the championship came down to the closing holes.
Hebert, 37, played the final round with patience and resolve, recovering from a double bogey at the 10th to birdie two of the last four holes. His eight‑foot putt at the 17th gave him the margin he needed, and a safe par at the 18th secured his first major championship.
Ferrier, who finished earlier with a 71 for 282, watched from the press room as Hebert completed his round. When the deciding putt dropped at the 17th, Ferrier quietly left the room, knowing his chance had passed.
Sanders and Snead Tie for Third
Doug Sanders, who began the day with the lead, and Sam Snead, three‑time PGA champion, finished at 283. Snead briefly held a two‑stroke advantage after a birdie at the long 16th, but bogeys at the 17th and 18th ended his bid. Ferrier matched Snead’s birdie at the 16th and added another at the 17th, keeping himself in contention until the end.
Don January remained in the hunt with a birdie at the 16th but could not gain further ground and finished outside the top three.
Hebert’s Closing Charge
Hebert’s decisive run began at the 15th, where he used a controlled three‑wood to place his tee shot within close range and holed the putt for a birdie two. He parred the 16th and then matched Ferrier’s birdie at the 17th with a precise approach to eight feet.
Needing only a par at the 18th, Hebert played conservatively, reaching the green safely and lagging his first putt to within inches.
Ferrier’s Early Surge
Ferrier, winner of the 1947 PGA Championship, moved into contention with a birdie at the 10th while Hebert faltered with a double bogey. But Ferrier lost strokes at the 14th and 15th, allowing Hebert to regain ground. His final‑round 71 earned him second place and $5,600.
Palmer Finishes Seventh
Arnold Palmer, winner of the Masters and U.S. Open, could not mount a late charge after falling back in the third round. He posted a final‑round 70 for a total of 286, tying Doug Ford for seventh place.
Wes Ellis produced the only sub‑par round of the day, a 69, finishing sixth at 285. Ken Venturi, calling Firestone “the toughest golf course I ever saw,” shot 72 for 287 and ninth place.
Defending champion Bob Rosburg did not qualify for the final round, missing the cut at 224.
Hebert’s Career Milestone
Hebert, a former Marine lieutenant wounded at Iwo Jima, joined the professional tour full‑time only four years ago. His victory today marks his first major championship and follows several runner‑up finishes earlier this season.
The championship, played over four days of demanding golf, ended with one of the closest finishes in recent PGA history.
Courtesy of The San Francisco Cronicle July 25, 1960 via Newspapers.com