Golf G. PLAYER IN LEAD

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 15

Golf G. PLAYER IN LEAD

First Round At Melbourne (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE. November 23. New Zealand golfers were well behind the leaders at the end of the first round of the 72-hole Australian Open golf championship at the Victoria course in Melbourne today. The South African, G. Player, shared the lead with the Sydney professional, F. Phillips, with a 7-under par 66. R. C. Murray led the New Zealand team with a 73 — seven strokes behind the leaders. After Murray is the captain, S. G. Jones, and I. Woodbury on 75, W. J. Godfrey. 76. R. R. Newdick, 78. and F. T. Gordon. 80. Murray went out in a twoover par. 39. with bunker trouble at the sixth and seventh. On the back nine he recovered well for a twounder par 34. Jones, also out in 39. failed on toe greens, three-putting the second and two-putting the fourth, fifth and sixth. He said afterwards he had not been feeling well and felt he was coming down with a cold. The other members of the New Zealand team said they also had trouble in the bunkers and on the greens, which, they said, accounted for their high scores. AU agreed the course was in first-class condition and weather conditions were ideal. All six will play again tomorrow in the second round. Player’s round of 66 included six birdies and an eagle at the thirteenth. He went out in 32 and was home in 34. In second place is the 1960 winner. K. D. Nagle, on 67. followed by Victorian amateur D. Bachli, 69. P. Thomson, four times British Open winner, shot a 70 today and shared fourth place with the promising young Sydney player, A. Murray. The Canadian champion, S. Leonard, had a 72 to tie with last year’s Australian Open winner B. Devlin, from New South Wales, and this year’s Australian Amateur champion, T. Crowe. Leading scores were:—66. G. Player, F. Phillips; 67, K. Nagle; 69, D. Bachli, amateur; 70, P. Thomson, A. Murray; 71, B. Crampton. B. Tuohy; 72, S. Leonard, Canada, B. Devlin, T. Crowe (amateur).