Roberto de Vicenzo: A Classic Golfer

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29994, 1 December 1962, Page 9

Roberto de Vicenzo: A Classic Golfer

Roberto de vicenzo, the Argentinian golfer, who moved along just behind the leaders and then burst past them with a final round of 68 to win the Canada Cup individual title at Buenos Aires, is richly endowed with all the qualities that make up a great player. He showed last week-end with rounds of 69, 63, 63, that won him the South American Masters tournament by an overwhelming 12 strokes from New Zealand’s R. J. Charles that he can produce golf of exceptional brilliance. The tall, dark-skinned Vicenzo, who is a classic striker of the ball and one of the world's finest iron club players, had an impressive record in the Canada Cup before he won the individual title. With his countryman, Antonio Cerda, he won the team title in the inaugural championship in 1953, and they finished runners-up to Australia the following year. Of all the many fine

players who have never won the British Open title, probably none has deserved victory more than the 39-year-old Vicenzo, who has been so near success so often. He was equal third in 1943. third again the next year, second in 1950, sixth in 1953, third in 1956, and equal third in 1960. Of these, 1950 was the outstanding year, for he was playing golf of the highest calibre. The year brought him victories in the French, Dutch and Belgian Open championships, and rounds of 72, 71 and 68 in the British Open at Troon left him equal with the eventual winner, A. D. Locke, of South Africa, after 54 holes. In the final round, Vicenzo began as if the championship was his for the taking, reaching the turn in 33, which included a three at the 120-yard “Ailsa”—the shortest hole in champion-

ship golf in the British Isles, better known as the ‘Postage Stamp” for the smallness of its green. Here the South American caused a minor sensation that provoked considerable controversy among golfers for months afterwards. He played his first shot into one of the cavernous bunkers that make this miniature hole a championship nightmare. He found the ball deeply and firmly embedded in the sand. Maybe Vicenzo’s memory was awakened to the 1923 title when the great Walter Hagen was similarly placed and finished with a five for the hole which lost him the title. Taking advantage of the unplayable ball rule applying at the time, Vicenzo picked up for the loss of one stroke, went back to the tee, placed his next shot 12 inches from the flagstick and holed out for his

par three! Unfortunately, his resourcefulness was not duly rewarded. He began spraying his drives wide of the fairways on the return half, and a two-over at the twelfth, and one-overs at the thirteenth and fifteenth, gave him a final round of 70, two more than Locke. He has been the Argentina Open and professional champion many times, and apart from the French, Dutch and Belgian titles, has won the Open titles of Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico and Panama. In any list of great shot-makers, Vicenzo would find a place, and there is probably no other golfer who plays the middle irons with more delicacy and sureness. He has been a welcome figure in Britain for many years; for his sportsmanship, his golf and his courage. Few would begrudge him the British Open victory that would place his name alongside so many other great golfers.