How one pro tragically lost an Open at Winged Foot (but still made more money than the winner)

Winged Foot is a well-known commodity in the golf world. Including this week, it’s hosted six U.S. Opens on its West Course, but it’s also hosted the U.S. Women’s Open twice on its East Course, in 1957 and 1972.

The 1957 tournament had one of the most memorable finishes in event’s history, but not for the right reasons. It’s still often regarded as the most significant scoring snafu in U.S. Women’s Open history.

Jackie Pung, who won the 1952 U.S. Women’s Amateur, appeared to have won the biggest event of her career when she had a brilliant final day at Winged Foot. In the 36-hole final, Pung shot 73-72 — capped by a 40-foot bomb on the final hole — to edge Betsy Rawls by a stroke. Or so everyone thought.

Pung and her playing partner, Betty Jameson, both marked down a 5 instead of a 6 for each other on the 4th hole. Even though their total scores were correct, they were both disqualified for signing for a lower score on the 4th.

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Pung’s DQ meant Rawls, the future World Golf Hall of Famer, was the winner with her seven-over total, and with that came the winner’s check of $1,800.

Pung reportedly left the property in tears but returned for the ceremony. Those on site were also so distraught about the ending that they decided to pass the hat for Pung, who ended up taking home over $3,000 — significantly more than the winner’s haul.

“Winning the Open is the greatest thing in golf,” Pung said afterward. “I have come close before. This time I thought I’d won. But I didn’t. Golf is played by rules, and I broke a rule. I’ve learned a lesson. And I have two broad shoulders.”

Pung, who won five times on the LPGA Tour, died on March 15, 2017, at age 95.

Rawls, now 92, recalled that day at Winged Foot while speaking to GOLF.com over the summer.

“It wasn’t how anyone ever wants a tournament to end,” she said.