YANCEY 3 UP IN MASTERS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 15

YANCEY 3 UP IN MASTERS

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) AUGUSTA (Georgia).

The 28-year-old Florida professional, Bert Yancey, who has won only one tournament since he joined the United States professional circuit in 1964, shot a five-under-par 67 to take a

three-stroke lead in the first round of the United States Masters golf tournament.

Showing remarkable accuracy in spite of a tricky

wind that many players said hampered their games, Yancey produced six birdies and went one-over-par on only one hole.

He strayed off the fairway only once and hit all 18 greens with his approaches. Yancey had halves of 36 and 31 over the par 72 (36, 36) Augusta national course. An albatross (three under) by B. Devlin (Australia) gained almost as much attention as Yancey’s fine round. Devlin accomplished his feat on the 530-yd, par-five eighth hole for only the second time it has been done in the history of the tournament. The other was G. Sarazen in the final round in 1935.,

Devlin drove 300 yards and

then hit a long four-wood that bounced once in front of the green and rolled into the cup.

But that was the only highlight of Devlin’s round, and he finished with 74. Tied for second place, at 70, were B. Casper (37-33) and D. Gray (36-34), an amateur. Only two other players—A. Jacklin (England) and J. Boros—bettered par. Jacklin led the overseas contingent with nines of 34 and 37. Boros had 36-35.

Among a large group at 72 was J. Nicklaus (35-37). A. Palmer had 73, and G. Player, the 1961 Masters champion, 75. Nicklaus and Palmer both

complained about the course’s condition.

“The fairway grass was extremely high,” said Nicklaus, a three-time Masters winner. “You couldn’t put spin on the ball. It was impossible to tell where the ball was going.” Palmer, winner of four Masters, said: “There were a lot of grassy lies out there. I didn’t know what was going to happen.” R. J. Charles, of New Zealand, finished with a four-over-par 76 (36, 40). It was a disappointing start, Charles said. “I hit the ball as good as ever, but I putted so badly I couldn’t believe it.”

He said he must have missed about six putts of from 2j-3ft