This Day in U.S. Open Golf History: June 17

One of the sweetest swingers of a golf club had his day in the sun on June 17, 1961. Gene Littler shot 72-68 in the final two rounds and beat Bob Goalby and Doug Sanders by one stroke at Oakland Hills. A San Diego native known for his love of classic cars and surviving cancer, Littler had nearly won the 1954 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, the year after he had won the U.S. Amateur. Known as Gene the Machine, he was enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame.