1945 in sports

1945 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.

Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War II

American football

• Cleveland Rams terminated Washington Redskins 15-14 at Cleveland, Ohio to win the NFL championship; the Rams relocate after the season to Los Angeles

Association football

England

• With the end of World War II, the FA Cup is reinstated for the 1945–46 season; played on a two–legged basis. However, clubs are not yet prepared for a full league programme, so the Football League does not resume; regional leagues remain for another year.

Australian rules football

• Victorian Football League – Carlton wins the 49th VFL Premiership (Carlton 15.13 (103) d South Melbourne 10.15 (76))

Basketball

NBL Championship

• Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons win three games to two over the Sheboygan Redskins

Events

• The twelfth South American Basketball Championship in Guayaquil is won by Brazil.

Golf

Men's professional

• Masters Tournament – not played due to World War II
• U.S. Open – not played due to World War II
• British Open – not played due to World War II
• PGA Championship – Byron Nelson
• PGA Tour money leader – Byron Nelson – $63,336

Men's amateur

• British Amateur – not played due to World War II
• U.S. Amateur – not played due to World War II

Women's professional

• Women's Western Open – Babe Zaharias
• Titleholders Championship – not played due to World War II

Horse racing

Steeplechases

• Cheltenham Gold Cup –
• Grand National –

Flat races

• Australia – Melbourne Cup won by
• Canada – Queen's Plate won by
• France – Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won by
• Ireland – Irish Derby Stakes won by
• English Triple Crown Races:
  1. 2,000 Guineas Stakes –
  2. Epsom Derby –
  3. St. Leger Stakes –
• United States Triple Crown Races:
  1. Kentucky Derby – Hoop Jr.
  2. Preakness Stakes – Polynesian
  3. Belmont Stakes – Pavot

Rowing

The Boat Race

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is not contested due to World War II

Rugby union

• Five Nations Championship series is not contested due to World War II

Speed skating

Speed Skating World Championships

• not contested due to World War II

Tennis

Australia

• Australian Men's Singles Championship – not contested
• Australian Women's Singles Championship – not contested

England

• Wimbledon Men's Singles Championship – not contested
• Wimbledon Women's Singles Championship – not contested

France

• French Men's Singles Championship – Yvon Petra (France) defeats Bernard Destremau (France) 7–5, 6–4, 6–2
• French Women's Singles Championship – Lolette Payot (Switzerland) defeats Simone Iribarne Lafargue (France) 6–3, 6–4

USA

• American Men's Singles Championship – Frank Parker (USA) defeats Bill Talbert (USA) 14–12, 6–1, 6–2
• American Women's Singles Championship – Sarah Palfrey Cooke (USA) defeats Pauline Betz Addie (USA) 3–6, 8–6, 6–4

Davis Cup

• 1945 International Lawn Tennis Challenge – not contested