Ed Furgol, who overcame a crippling childhood injury to become the 1954 United States Open golf champion, died last Thursday in Miami. He was 79.

From 1944 to 1983, Furgol compiled five PGA Tour victories and six second-place finishes. He was the 1954 PGA golfer of the year and a member of the 1957 United States Ryder Cup team.

Furgol's success was remarkable considering that when he was 12, he shattered his left elbow in a playground fall.

The injury never healed properly, leaving Furgol with a crooked, cocked arm 10 inches shorter than his right arm.

Furgol did special exercises to build strength in his hands and worked tirelessly to develop a swing that would overcome his lack of power.

In 1954, Furgol was working as a club pro in St. Louis when he qualified for the United States Open, held that year at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J. The 37-year-old played flawless golf and notched a one-stroke victory, which earned him $6,000.

After that, Furgol became a celebrity, appearing on Ed Sullivan's variety television show with the heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano.

Furgol is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen, who lives in Miami Shores, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.

Edward J Furgol