Gary Player Wins U.S. Open

June 21, 1965 - Gary Player of South Africa won the U.S. Open golf title today in a non-American playoff. With a 71, the 29-year-old professional from Johannesburg defeated Kelvin Nagle of Sydney, Australia, by three strokes and then turned back the winner’s check of $25,000.

He gave the $25,000 to the U.S. Golf Association with the stipulation that $20,000 go to the fund for the development of junior golf and $5,000 go toward cancer research. He also gave his caddy the $1,000 bonus he received for participating in today’s playoff, plus $1,000 out of his own pocket. The youngster, Frank Pagel, said he would buy a motor bike with the $2,000.

Player became the first foreigner to capture the trophy in 45 years as he triumphed at Missouri’s Bellerive Country Club course.

The extra session was made necessary when both Nagle and Player scored 282 for the regulation 72 holes of the tournament. Player had a five-stroke advantage after eight holes today, and Nagle was unable to reduce the deficit until Player went over par at each of the last two holes. But by then, it was too late for the 44-year-old Australian.

Shortly after he walked off the course, Player, who carries a Bible with him on the arduous pro tour, said he had decided to give the purse to the U.S.G.A. because his mother had died of cancer. He also said: “I am doing this because I am so indebted to this country for the privileges they have given me in golf. I think America’s a great country, and I’m very grateful for what it’s given me.”

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