This Day in Golf History: March 19

On this date in 1950, Babe Didrikson Zaharias won the U.S. Women’s Open (pre USGA run) at Rolling Hills Country Club by nine shots over Betsy Rawls. Arnold Palmer, who in his youth played an exhibition with Zaharias, had something of great meaning happen for him on this date in Bay Hill/Arnold Palmer Invitational history. On March 19, 2004, he played his final round as a competitor in the tournament, shooting 79 to miss the 36-hole cut. He had shot 88 in Round 1. Unrelated, the great J.H. Taylor, a five-time Open champion, was born on this day in 1871.