54-year-old Hogan Scores Dazzling 66 In Masters

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 3

54-year-old Hogan Scores Dazzling 66 In Masters

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

AUGUSTA (Georgia).

There was a three-way tie for the lead going into the final round of the United States Masters golf tournament at Augusta on Saturday, but the big story was the challenge of an old favourite, the former champion, B. Hogan, United Press International reported.

The 54-year-old Hogan stunned the gallery with a string of birdies that put him two strokes behind the leaders.

The former champion finished with a six-under-par 66, including a record-tying 30 on the back nine.

Leading the field on 211, after 54 holes, were another veteran, J. Boros, and R. Nichols, both of whom sank long putts on the final hole of the third round to tie with A. Yancey, the leader after the first and second rounds. Boros and Nichols both finished with two-under-par 70’s. Yancey in spite of predictions that he would crack under pressure, turned in a 71., Tied with Hogan on 213, was the consistent G. Brewer. HIS OLD GLORY Hogan, twice winner of the Masters, the last time 14 years ago, recaptured a moment of his old glory in the third round. Starting the second half on 36, he had four successive birdies, a par, another birdie, two more pars, before sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the eighteenth green to draw thunderous applause from a packed gallery. “I worked hard today, just about as hard as I have ever worked,” a very tired Hogan said later.

“It was just like going to the blood bank 18 times. The last putt on the eighteenth was downhill or I never would have made it.” Hogan’s only prediction for the final round was: “A lotta fellows have to fall dead for me to win. But I’ll play as hard as I ever played in my life.” PALMER FADES The four-times Masters winner, A. Palmer, looked to be making one of his famous last minute charges when he turned three-under, but he went one over at the last two holes, to card a two-under 70 that left him on 216, five strokes back. Also on 216 was South Africa’s G. Player, who had a third round 72. Nichols, who survived a car accident in 1962, being paralysed for 13 days and spending three months in hospital, eagled the eighth hole and went six under at the fifteenth. But he had a two over at the seventeenth.

The leading overseas player after three rounds was the young Englishman, A. Jacklin, who played the New Zealand circuit last year. Jacklin started the third round only one stroke behind Yancey, but a 74 dropped him four shots from the lead.

CHARLES ELIMINATED Among those who failed to qualify after Friday’s second round, with the cut-off 150, were J. Nicklaus, R. J. Charles (New Zealand), and the Australians, B. Crampton and R. Stanton.

Nicklaus had- scores of 72 and 79—the latter the worst Masters round he has played. He was one-over on four of the first nine holes.

Charles returned 76 and 79. “I just played badly,” he said. “I would have liked to make the cut-off, but it’s nothing new that I did not.

“I haven’t got past the seccond round the last three

years, The course just doesn’t treat me too good.” The leaders (Americans unless otherwise stated) are: 211: A. Yancey, 67, 73, 71; J. Boros, 71. 70. 70; R. Nichols, 72, 69, 70. 213: G. Brewer, 73, 68, 72; B. Hogan, 74, 73, 66. 214: G. Archer, 75, 67, 72. 215: T. Jacklin (England). 71, 70. 74; L. Hebert, 77, 71, 67. 216: G. Player (South Africa), 75, 69, 72; A. Palmer, 73. 73. 70: J. Cupit, 73, 76, 67. 217: T. Aarun, 75, 68, 74; D Marr, 73, 74, 70; J. Hebert, 72, 77, 68. 218: P. Harney, 73, 71, 74. 219: B. Devlin (Australia), 74, 70, 75; W. Casper, 70, 74, 75; R. de Vicenzo (Argentine), 73, 72, 74; S. Snead, 72, 76, 71; C. Rodriguez (Puerto Rico), 73, 73, 73; D. Sanders, 74, 72, 73.