Golf ‘HOODOO’ HOLE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30178, 9 July 1963, Page 18

Golf ‘HOODOO’ HOLE

British Open Hazard (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LYTHAM (Lancashire). July 7 Organisers of the British open today eliminated the eleventh hole > on the Royal Lytharn championship course in its reconstructed form. A number of players, after yesterday’s first major practice, were outspoken in their comments about the “hoodoo” 562-yard par five hole.

Players will now use the old tee in the 72-hole championship which starts on Wednesday. The decision puts the hole back to 483 yards and eliminates 79 yards of “rough.” The eleventh hole was one of five that had been specially lengthened for the open. It demanded a , carry of 240 yards over towering bunkers, gorse, long grass, and uneven ground before landing on the mown fairway. A too-long drive was certain to end in a towering bunker right in the middle of the fairway. The defending champion. A. Palmer, is favourite to win. After yesterday’s practice he said: “This hole could decide the championship. It is very tough. With that trap where it is, the tee is about 10 yards too far back.”

K. Nagle, of Australia, described it as a “very tough hole, especially with the wind against us.”

Palmer’s Club Damaged

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter— Copyright) LYTHAM, July 7. Arnold , Palmer’s favourite driver was tonight '"healing” in a drying room ait t>he Royal Lythaim Clubhouse.

Palmer, who will attempt to win his third British open title this week, damaged the driver yesterday when he cracked the face in hits first practice on the course. The weighted inset flew out after one of his power drives. The driver is Palmer's favourite club. He has used it in all the big tournaments on the American circuit this season, and it has played a major part in winning a mammoth £30.000 in prize money for him. Palmer repaired the driver in the club's workshop with the assistance of the club professional, filing the face and cementing in new insets.