Some people grumbled that the 24-year-old Venturi, whose main accomplishment to that point had been making the 1953 Walker Cup team, didn't deserve an invitation. Venturi's boss at a car dealership, Ed Lowery, a member at Augusta National, and a friend, Byron Nelson, had lobbied for him. Once play began, it was clear that Venturi belonged. He opened with a 66 and took a four-shot lead into the final round, but nerves got him. He shot 80 and ended up second, a stroke behind Jackie Burke Jr.

Back home, Venturi claimed that he was given an "unfortunate" pairing on Sunday with Sam Snead. Later, in a letter to Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, Venturi apologized.