On this day, In 1959 Ken Venturi wins the Los Angeles Open with a final round of 63
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Ken Venturi catches fire in final round and cards a -63- to take the L.A. Open
On this day In 1959, Ken Venturi fashioned an eight under par 63 in an amazing comeback and captured the $35,000 Los Angeles Open golf tournament.
Eight strokes behind the leader, Art Wall Jr., going into the final round, Venturi shot a 30-33=63 for a 72 total of 278.
(Par at the Rancho Golf Club Course is 36-35=71.)
Wall finished second with a 73 for 280. He collected $3,400, compared to Venturi’s $5,300. In addition, Venturi got a $3,000 victory bonus from a golf ball manufacturer he represented.
Venturi’s 30 broke the course nine-hole record and his 63 equaled the 18-hole tournament record set by Tommy Bolt in 1956.
Venturi would keep up his good play onto the 1960 season at the Masters. He finished just one stroke behind the eventual winner Arnold Palmer on the final day. Eventually, he would go on the wins he 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club.
He later transformed his successful playing career into the broadcasting booth. He spent the next 35 years working as a color commentator and lead analyst for CBS Sports.
