1931 U.S. Open (golf)

1931 U.S. Open (golf)

The 1931 U.S. Open was the 35th U.S. Open. The golf tournament was held July 2–6, 1931, at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. Billy Burke won his first U.S. Open title, defeating George Von Elm in a marathon 72-hole playoff, the longest in tournament history.

George Von Elm, the 1926 U.S. Amateur champion, held the 54-hole lead after rounds of 75-69-73. Billy Burke, playing just ahead of Von Elm in the final round, carded a 73 and a 292 total. Von Elm made bogey at 12, 14, 15, and 16, and needed a birdie at 18 just to force a 36-hole playoff. Von Elm and Burke were still tied after 36 holes, with Von Elm making birdie on the 36th. Instead of sudden death, the players were required to play another 36-hole playoff the following day. This time, Burke managed to defeat Von Elm by a single stroke, 148 to 149. Burke reportedly smoked 32 cigars during the tournament, and quipped afterwards: "George Von Elm lost 15 pounds. I gained three."

Leo Diegel made a hole-in-one during the second round, only the third in U.S. Open history and first since 1922. He missed the playoff by two strokes. Low-amateur went to Philip Perkins, who finished in a tie for seventh. Three-time British Open champion Henry Cotton played the first of two U.S. Open appearances this year, missing the cut.