Clarence Moore

Clarence Moore, 59, of Winnsboro, South Carolina, defeated Bud Stevens of Plymouth, Michigan, 5 and 4, in the final at Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Country Club. John Harbottle of Tacoma, Washington, runner-up in the championship in 1986, and Richard Goerlich, Jr., of Tampa, Florida, shared medalist honors at 148.

Harbottle advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to James McMurtrey of Danville, California. Goerlich was a second-round loser to Bob Miller of Bay Village, Ohio.

Moore's play was outstanding as he proceeded through the draw. In his closest match, he defeated Morris Beecroft of Newport News, Virginia, in the quarter-finals, 3 and 2. He eliminated Joe Simpson, of San Diego, California, father of 1987 U.S. Open champion Scott Simpson, 4 and 3, to reach the final. Stevens had a more difficult journey to the final.

In the quarterfinals, he eliminated Bill Lee of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the 20th hole. He then defeated McMurtrey, 1 up. Stevens won the first hole of the final and held that one-hole advantage through the fifth. Moore squared the match at the sixth, then took the lead for good at the eighth when he holed a shot from a greenside bunker for a birdie.

Moore then won the ninth and 10th to go 3 up. After winning the 12th and 13th, Moore closed out the match when the 14th was halved with bogeys. The USGA accepted 1,440 entries for the championship.