1942 U.S. Open Golf Tournament

Who won the 1942 U.S. Open golf tournament? Trick question: The tournament wasn't played. But a different tournament run just like a U.S. Open was played, and some golf historians refer to that event as the substitute U.S. Open of 1942.

Why the 1942 U.S. Open wasn't played: World War II. American Naval forces at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii were attacked in December of 1941, spurring the United States' entry into World War II. The USGA Executive Committee decided against holding the U.S. Open in 1942. It had been scheduled for Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, but Interlachen had also decided against continuing as host after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

When did the U.S. Open return? 1946. The tournament was not played in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945.

But there was a 'national open' in 1942. The Hale America National Open, sponsored by the USGA, PGA of America, and Chicago District Golf Association, was played at Ridgemoor Country Club near Chicago. The dates were June 18–21. The Hale America National Open even had local and regional qualifying events around the country, just like the real U.S. Open would have had. The tournament included all of the big-name golfers who weren't unavailable due to military service, and proceeds benefited Navy Relief and the USO.

Top 11 Finishers in 1942 Hale America National Open

Ben Hogan, 271
Mike Turnesa, 274
Jimmy Demaret, 274
Byron Nelson, 278
Horton Smith, 278
Jimmy Thomson, 278
Eddie Burke, 280
Lawson Little, 280
Dick Metz, 281
Jim Ferrier, 281
Lloyd Mangrum, 281

Previous and next:
1941 U.S. Open - 1946 U.S. Open

Sources:
Alvarez, Rob. "Museum Moment: The Hale America National Open Golf Tournament," June 23, 2011, USGA Museum via Internet Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20111111015812/http://www.usgamuseum.com/about_museum/news_events/news_article.aspx?newsid=216.
Buffalo Courier Express. "Ben Hogan Wins Hale America," Universal Press, June 22, 1942.