Thomson’s Open All The Way

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31513, 30 October 1967, Page 24

Thomson’s Open All The Way

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright'

MELBOURNE.

P. W. Thomson brought the Australian Open golf championship back to Australia when he won the title by seven strokes on Saturday—one of the most convincing wins in the long history of the event.

In spite of his phenomenal success elsewhere, Thomson has won the title only once before—as a 22-year-old 16 years ago.

On Saturday he finished with a 72-hole total of 281 (11 under par). He went to the front on the first day and stayed there to the end. Thomson had a one-under 72 in the final round—his worst of the four—but was still able to hold his sevenstroke lead from the previous day. The Sydney professional, C. Johnston, regained second place with a course record of 68, for a total of 288. 3RD PLACE SHARED

Next, on 292, was the Australian amateur, H. Berwick, and the Englishman, P. Townsend. The only American competitor, B. Yancey, was on 294.

E. A. Ball, K. D. G. Nagle and G. B. Wolstenholme (Britain) finished together on 295.

The open title returns to Australia for the first time since 1961. In recent years it

has been won by G. Player (three times), A. Palmer, and J. Nicklaus. GODFREY FADES

The Auckland professional. W. J. Godfrey, who was with the leaders at the start of play on Saturday, marred his chances with a 78, and finished on 299.

After sinking a 50ft putt for a birdie on the fourth, Godfrey was one under the card, but he had a two-over seven on the sixth, dropped two more shots on the seventh, and three-putted the ninth, for a four-over 40 on the outward half.

“I went to pieces after hitting a ball out of bounds on the sixth,” Godfrey said. “That one shot cost me the chance to make some real money In this tournament.” The only other New Zealander left In the last round, the Hamilton professional, B. T. Boys, finished well down the list on 307, after rounds of 78, 78, 76, 75. The aggregates of other overseas professionals were: 297, R. Cole (S. Africa); 309. M. Bembridge (Britain); 311, D. Millensted (Britain).