The U.S. Open resumed in 1946 after a four-year hiatus during World War II. So it was fitting that Lloyd Mangrum would make his mark there.
Mangrum won five times before putting his career on hold to join the military in 1942, and became a staff sergeant in the Third Army. During the invasion of Normandy, his jeep overturned and his arm was broken in two places. Mangrum also suffered shrapnel wounds to his chin and knee during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home from the war in 1945 with four battle stars and two Purple Hearts.
Before he left the boat at Normandy, Mangrum and his friend Sgt. Robert Green took a $1 bill and ripped it into two pieces. They each took a half and signed it, vowing to make it whole upon returning home. Sadly, Green didn’t make it out alive.
Mangrum did, and kept his half of the dollar in his wallet for the rest of his life, including the 1946 U.S. Open at Conterbury Golf Club in Cleveland. There he outlasted Vic Ghezzi and Bryon Nelson in two 18-hole playoffs, posting a 72 to their 73s to win the title.
Mangrum’s half of the dollar can now be found inside his locker in the World Golf Hall of Fame Member Locker Room.
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