Ralph Guldahl Dies; Won 2 Straight Opens

Ralph Guldahl, one of three golfers to win consecutive U.S. Open championships, died in his sleep early Thursday at his Sherman Oaks home. He was 75.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Guldahl, a member of the U.S. Golf Assn. Hall of Fame, won the U.S. Open in 1937 at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Mich., and in 1938 at Cherry Hills in Denver. Guldahl also won the Masters in 1939.

The two other golfers who won consecutive U.S. Open titles were Willie Anderson, who won three straight from 1903-05, and Ben Hogan in 1950-51.

Guldahl, golf pro emeritus at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, was still playing nearly every day the week before his death.

Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Forest Lawn in Glendale.

Guldahl is survived by his wife, Maydelle, and his son, Ralph Jr.