Thomson Picks 278 Total To Win Masters Golf

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30934, 15 December 1965, Page 23

Thomson Picks 278 Total To Win Masters Golf

In wet weather, B. W. Devlin of Australia won the Wills Masters at Russley in 1963 with a four-round score of 287, and his first round of 69 is the best performance from the championship tees.

It seems highly likely that both these marks will be improved upon in the 1965 Wills Masters, which begins at Russley tomorrow.

But by how much is at present a matter for earnest debate among the golfers and the spectators at the course.

One or two of the die-hard older members proclaim that 280 will beet everyone. But P. W. Thomson, who has bad some experience in these matters, feels that 278 could be a winning score. The Russley professional, M. Woiveridge, asked to assess the winning score, also nominated 278. But G. B. Wolstenholme, of Britain, is less conservative. He thought that the winning score could be 270, and added that he himself would be very pleased to have such a score. R. R. Newdick, the New Zealander, also nominated 276. Lowest Bid The lowest bid came from the man who probably knows the course better than anyone else in the tournament, the dub champion, E. H. Richards. After prolonged consideration, he stated that if the weather held, he could see the top man having to score 272—20 under par—to win the event Three professionals have withdrawn from the tournament They are the highly promising British player, P. Green, T. Brady (Miramar) and the Australian, L. Thomas.