Defending champion Mickey Wright was a co-leader after 36 holes,[2] but fell back on Saturday morning in the third round and finished five strokes back in a tie for fourth.[3] Wright had won three of the previous four years; she won her fourth U.S. Women's Open two years later in 1964. Jessen led after each of the first three rounds, but a final round 80 (+8) dropped her back.[3]
Thirty professionals and eleven amateurs made the 36-hole cut at 166 (+22) or better;[2] the low amateur was JoAnne Gunderson at 313 (+25), tied for fifteenth place.[3]
