The 1954 golfing year in the United States was marked
by several noteworthy achievements. Ed Furgol off ton, Mo., whose left arm is partly withered as the result childhood injury, became the United States open champion. At the Baltusrol Golf club, Springfield, N. J., stretched to 7,027 yd. with a par of 70 for the championship, 37-year-old Furgol with a 72 hole total of 284. Furgol thus succeeded Ben four-time winner, as the titleholder.
    Hogan, who was attempting to set an all-time record fifth triumph, finished in a tie for sixth along with the ton, N.C., amateur, Billy Joe Patton, at 289. Gene Lit 1953 national amateur champion, who had joined the sional ranks early in 1954, finished one stroke back of F second place.
    Previously, Patton, a 32-year-old lumberman, had as the golfing world by placing one stroke back of Hogan and Sam Snead, who tied for first, in the Masters tournament at A Ga. In the subsequent play-off, Snead defeated Hogan, won the Masters the previous year, by 70 to 71.