Jacklin Finishes On 67-Two Behind

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 15

Jacklin Finishes On 67-Two Behind

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ST ANDREWS. The defending champion, A. Jacklin, finished two strokes behind the leader when he completed his first round in the British Open golf championship yesterday morning.

Jacklin seemed set for a championship record round on Wednesday when he reached the turn in 29 and was eight under par after 13 holes.

■ His round was interrupted by torrential rain after his second shot to the 14th had landed in bushes. Completing the round yesterday, he took 67—two shots outside the re-cord-equalling round of 65 on Wednesday by another British golfer, N. C. Coles. Jacklin dropped shots at the fourteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth holes when he continued his round on the St Andrews old course under grey, threatening skies. HALF-PACE GREENS Wet- and disappointed, he said afterwards: “I’m a bit huffed. 1 had no feel for the clubs at all. The conditions were difficult, to say the least and the greens are at half the pace of yesterday.” The first problem which faced the champion yesterday morning was what to do about being in the bushes at the fourteenth. After studying the position of the ball and conferring with Mr Wilbur Muirhead, chairman of the championship committee, he decided to pick up under a one-stroke penalty. Jacklin went back 25 yards behind the hillock of gorse bushes and dropped his ball. He put his wedge shot 18ft from the pin, but missed the putt. Before the torrential rain

stopped play on Wednesday, Jacklin had broken the course record for the first nine holes with his outward 29 (seven under). “That was the finest nine holes 1 have ever played," the title-holder said when he returned, dripping to the club house.

“1 stopped because of the lightning and 1 saw the rain coming. I thought—please don’t let it wash out the round—not now.”

Yesterday, a downhearted Jacklin said: “If I said what

1 really felt I should not be able to be quoted. “At the fifteenth and sixteenth, where we would have taken wedges yesterday, I had to hit four and five irons this morning. At the seventeenth 1 had to use a two iron instead of perhaps a five. I had rain gear on and had no feel for the clubs. “Now, 1 have to think a little bit before I- go out for the second round later.” Coles took the lead in the £40.000 tournament with his seven-under-par 65, and was one stroke ahead of another British professional, T. Horton. The leading overseas challengers were H. Henning (South Africa), and F. Molina (Argentina), both on 67. The formidable American challenge was led by D. Sanders, J. Nicklaus and A. Palmer, all placed on 68. On the same score was the Australian, P. W. Thomson, who is bidding for his sixth British Open title. The New Zealanders, W. J. Godfrey and R. J. Charles, were on 71 and 72, respectively. J. M. Lister was among those unable to finish his round until yesterday.