Last-Hole Error By Charles Ends Chance

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 19

Last-Hole Error By Charles Ends Chance

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SAN ANTONIO (Texas)

The American, D. Beman, getting into a “sudden death” play-off when J. McGowan missed an 18in putt on the eighteenth green, dropped a 20ft putt on the first play-off hole to win the SUSIOO,OOO Texas Open.

The New Zealander, R. J. Charles, four strokes behind the two leaders on 278, finished in sixth place equal to win prize money of SUS34OO.

The Australian contingent, headed by R. Stanton, all

finished well down the list Stanton shared the tenth last score with four others on 285 for prize money of 8U5626. Nagle had a 292 and B. Crampton 296. Reuter reported Beman, the eighth first-time winner on the Professional Golfers’ Association tour this year, finished his final round with a six-under-par 65. Then he stood by and watched McGowan incredibly miss an 18in putt that would have given him his first title since 1964. They were tied on 274, 10 under par. It was just over two years ago that Beman, now 31, turned professional after an outstanding amateur career that included two United States Amateur titles as well as the British Amateur and five appearances in Walker Cup teams. Good Putting

The master of the short game, he one-putted seven of his first nine greens and landed a two-iron tee shot three inches from the hole on the 200-yard twelfth. T. Aaron, L. Trevino and D. Hill all had strong closing rounds to tie for third on 277. Charles hit his tee shot into the water on the last hole, taking a bogey and dropping to a share of sixth place with the first-round leader, S. Reid. Charles entered the last round second equal, two strokes behind the leader, McGowan.

The leading finishers with prize-money in brackets:— 274—D. Beman, 70, 69, 70, 65 ($20,000); J. McGowan 70, 63, 67, 69 ($11,400).

277—T. Aaron, 71, 70. 68. 68 ($4300); L. Trevino 74, 68, 67, 68 ($4300); D. Hill, 70, 68, 73, 66 ($4300).

278—8. J. Charles (New Zealand), 70. 68, 69, 71 ($3400); s. Reid 67, 71, 70. 70 ($3400). 280—B. Yancey, 69, 68, 71, 72 ($2600); J. Cuplt, 70, 67. 71. 72 ($2600).