1962 U.S. Open: Nicklaus' First Pro Win
Winner: Jack Nicklaus, 283
Where it was played: Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
Tournament dates: June 14-17, 1962
Leader after first round: Gene Littler, 69
Leader after second round: Arnold Palmer and Bob Rosburg, 139
Leader after third round: Arnold Palmer and Bobby Nichols, 212
Notable Notes: Jack Nicklaus was in his rookie year as a professional golfer; Arnold Palmer was at the height of his skills and playing on home turn in Pennsylvania. But it was the youngster who prevailed. Nicklaus caught Palmer in the final round, tying him at 283 and forcing an 18-hole playoff. In the playoff, Palmer started with a bogey, fell two behind Nicklaus after four, and four behind after six holes. Nicklaus wound up winning 71 to 74.
Final Scores
| Jack Nicklaus | 72-70-72-69—283 |
| Arnold Palmer | 71-68-73-71—283 |
| Bobby Nichols | 70-72-70-73—285 |
| Phil Rodgers | 74-70-69-72—285 |
| Gay Brewer | 73-72-73-69—287 |
| Tommy Jacobs | 74-71-73-70—288 |
| Gary Player | 71-71-72-74—288 |
| Doug Ford | 74-75-71-70—290 |
| Gene Littler | 69-74-72-75—290 |
| Billy Maxwell | 71-70-75-74—290 |
| Doug Sanders | 74-74-74-69—291 |
| Art Wall | 73-72-72-74—291 |
| Bob Rosburg | 70-69-74-79—292 |
| a-Deane Beman | 74-72-80-67—293 |
| Bob Goalby | 73-74-73-73—293 |
| Mike Souchak | 75-73-72-73—293 |
| Jacky Cupit | 73-72-72-77—294 |
| Jay Hebert | 75-72-73-74—294 |
| Earl Stewart Jr. | 75-73-75-71—294 |
| Donald Whitt | 73-71-75-75—294 |
| Bo Wininger | 73-74-69-78—294 |
| Miller Barber | 73-70-77-75—295 |
| Gardner Dickinson | 76-74-75-71—296 |
| Lionel Hebert | 75-72-75-74—296 |
| Stan Leonard | 72-73-78-74—297 |
| a-Edward Meister Jr. | 78-72-76-71—297 |
| Frank Boynton | 71-75-74-78—298 |
| Joe Campbell | 78-71-72-78—299 |
| Dave Douglas | 74-70-72-83—299 |
| Paul Harney | 73-73-71-82—299 |
| Dean Refram | 75-73-77-74—299 |
| Mason Rudolph | 74-74-73-78—299 |
| Gene Coghill | 74-76-73-77—300 |
| J.C. Goosie | 71-79-75-75—300 |
| Jerry Pittman | 75-72-75-78—300 |
| Wes Ellis | 73-73-77-78—301 |
| Dan Sikes | 74-72-78-77—301 |
| Pete Cooper | 74-76-74-78—302 |
| Fred Hawkins | 73-77-77-75—302 |
| Bob McCallister | 76-74-74-78—302 |
| Joe Moore Jr. | 77-73-74-78—302 |
| Sam Snead | 76-74-78-74—302 |
| Al Balding | 73-77-78-75—303 |
| Charlie Sifford | 75-74-76-78—303 |
| Bruce Crampton | 75-73-75-81—304 |
| a-John Guenther | 72-78-75-79—304 |
| a-Bill Hyndman | 73-76-78-77—304 |
| a-Bob Gardner | 76-74-77-78—305 |
| Johnny Pott | 75-75-75-80—305 |
| Charles Garlena | 74-72-82-81—309 |
| Edward Rubis | 76-74-81-78—309 |
