GOLF Phillips Wins Australian Open

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 23

GOLF Phillips Wins Australian Open

Preu Association—Coppngni > MELBOURNE, November 26. New Zealand golfers staged a good fight, hut were outplayed to finish well down the field in the £BOO Australian open golf championship which was won by big-hitting Sydney professional, F. Phillips,' at Victoria course, Melbourne, yesterday.

••We tried hard but I’guess we just weren't good enough," S G. Jones, of Hastings, said sferwards. “It was a big field and there were some

mighty good golfers” Jones was the leading New Zealand player with a 72hole round of 294—19 strokes behind Phillips on 275. Jones covered the par-73 rourse with rounds of 75. 72. 74. and 73.

W. J. Godfrey, of Auckland. had a 298 with rounds of 76. 74. 73 and 75. The Christchurch amateur. R. C. Murray, had rounds of 73. 77. 77. and 73 for an aggregate of 300.

Three other New Zealanders, F. T. Gordon (Hastings). R R. Newdick <Auckland), and I. D. Woodbury <Welhngton) failed to reach the Qualifying score of 151 for the final 36 holes. The New Zealanders are due to return home on Tuesday. Phillips won by two strokes from K Nagle. With a final round of 70. Phillips had a total of 275 and Nagle had 67 for 277. Third equal were the South African, G. Player with 70 for 279 and B. Devlin (New South Wales), with 70 for 279. The result of the tournament was in doubt until the last minute. With five holes to go. Phillips needed only scratch figures to defeat Nagle by three strokes. Phillips caused a sensation when he was two over scratch at the 14th hole and one over at the 16th. leaving himself a birdie and a bogey to finish in front Phillips made no doubt of the result when

he scored birdies at the last two holes.

Player accepted defeat with a smile after the final round. "It wasn't one of my off days —it's jiiat that Frank Phillips was the better man of the day. He is a great golfer and certainly deserved his win,” said Player.

Phillips. who partnered Player and Thomson over the final round, said that at first he was a "bit worried” having to play with the two champions.

“I knew the pressure would be full on. The only thing I could do was to try to hang on to the fourstroke lead over Player at the start of the final round,” he slid.

Club Matches CHRISTCHURCH CLUB.— £ta>bteford haivtacap: R. A. Stewart 39 pourrts D P. Page 39. M, L.. Pare 38 W. J. V. Hamilton 38. WAITIKIRI CLUB.—Christmas hamper texirramemt: W. Strang and Mrs Strata®, 7 up; E. Robineon and Mrs Rublnwn. 6 up: R. Davey B.nd Mrs Chim-side. 5 up; L. Hunter and Mr-s McCallum. 5 up. friable - ford—Senior: E. G. Batstone 39 points. Junior: R. F. Crawford 36 points. KAIAPOI CLUB.—Best ball Stableford: L. G. Baker and F. H. Shipston 45. A. H. Jeeks and H Throp 44. C. J. Schroeder and W. C. Kane 41. N. Aghey arid I. J Corich 42 P. Chisiitall and G. Cooper 42. M. R. Duncan and G. Hirst 42. HAGLEY CLUB. Stroke— Senior: M. Howe. 76. 10—65: W. A. Purdie. 80. 11—69; H. W. McGregor 79 9—70. Intermediate: M. K. Russell. 82. 15— 67: E G. McGregor. 89. 21—68: C. R. Harris, 87. 16—71. Junior: W. F. Haworth 85 19—67; B. Hempstank 89, 21—68; W. H. Roper 90. 21—69 Bogey—Senior: M. Howe. 3 up. Tirtermediate: M. K. Russell. all square. Junior: W. H. Roper aid square. HAGLEY LADIES' CLUB.— Stroke mateh—A grade: Mrs L. M. Atkinson 91. 22—69: Mrs H F. N. Alford, 88. 18—70; Mrs L. G. Loveridge. 95. 23—72: Mrs A. Grayson, 90 18—72. B grade: Mrs M L. White 100. 39—71: Mrs B. J. White 97. 26—71: Mrs J. Oxley. 104 , 30—74; Miss M. Powell. 100 35—74; Mrs R. Bishop. 104 30—74; Mrs A. Tillson, 105, 31—74.