This Day in U.S. Open Golf History: June 17

Of the many U.S. Opens that ended on this date, two happened in back to back years 1961 and 1962. The big one came in 1962 in the legendary playoff between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus at Oakmont, with Nicklaus winning his first major by three shots as a rookie. In 1961, Gene Littler won his only pro major at Oakland Hills. One of the sweetest swingers of a golf club, Littler shot 72-68 in the final two rounds and beat Bob Goalby and Doug Sanders by one stroke. A San Diego native known for his love of classic cars and surviving cancer, Littler had nearly won the 1954 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, the year after he had won the U.S. Amateur. Known as Gene the Machine, he was enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame.