Original Acme Photo caption from June 8, 1949 read: GOLF BIG WHEELS - CHICAGO: "Several golfing stars have lunch with Larry S. Rutherford (center), co-chairman of the United States Open golf tournament. The event opens tomorrow (6/9) at the Medinah Country Club here. The golfers are: (left to right) Gene Sarazen, Lloyd Mangrum, Larry Rutherford, Dr. Cary Middlecoff, and Sam Snead." The 49th United States Open was held, June 9-11, 1949. Middlecoff won the tourney with a 286 total and took home $2,000 of the $10,000 purse. The 49th U.S. Open was the first televised, with Bill Sterns doing the coast-to-coast broadcast. NBC bought the radio and television rights to all USCA events for $5,000.