Palmer wins the 1966 Los Angeles Open by 3 strokes

1966 LOS ANGELES, Arnold Palmer withstood a closing rush by Paul Harney today to win the $70,000 Los Angeles open golf tournament by three strokes. The margin seems slim after a 62 in the third round that placed Palmer in a 7 stroke lead at the 54 hole mark. Palmer struggled but held on the final day with a two over par 73.

A 67 by Harney in the final round on this 6,890 yard course put the pressure on the 36 year old pro from Latrobe, PA. Harney was the winner of this event in both 1964 & 1965 and came within a stroke of drawing even with two holes to play.

Harney made a hole in one during the third round and was 8 inches away from having another on the 17th hole. He eventually tied for second with a 276 with Miller Barber. Palmer concluded his round with a par 3 at the 17th and a birdie 3 at the home green to add another stroke to his advantage. Palmers 11-under total gave him his second success here. He also won this event in 1963 over Gary Player and Al Balding.