Gary Cowan, 27, of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, became the first foreign player to win the U.S. Amateur Championship since C. Ross (Sandy) Somerville in 1932. Somerville is from London, Ontario, about 70 miles from Kitchener.

Cowan defeated Deane R. Beman, Bethesda, Md., in a playoff, 75-76, after they both scored 285 for 72 holes of the Championship proper over the East Course of the Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa. Beman, the 1960 and 1963 Champion, appeared to have the Championship won as late as the 72nd hole. However, his approach went into a bunker, his recovery went over the green and then he stubbed a chip shot. He scored 6 on the hole, a par-4.

Cowan made up three strokes in two holes to catch Beman. After 16 holes of the playoff Cowan and Beman were tied. Cowan missed the green on his tee shot to the 17th and Beman carried to within 12 feet of the hole. However, Cowan got down in two for a par 3 while Beman three-putted, failing a stroke behind.