FIRST WIN IN THREE YEARS Weiskopf winner in four-way play-off

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32633, 15 June 1971, Page 24

FIRST WIN IN THREE YEARS Weiskopf winner in four-way play-off

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CHARLOTTE (North Carolina). The American golfer, T. Weiskopf stroked in an Bft birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to beat his countrymen, L. Trevino and D. Douglass, and the South African, G. Player, for the title in the Kemper open golf tournament.

The four-man field matched the largest play-off group in P.G.A. history.

All four finished the regulation 72 holes of this $150,000 tournament on 277 —ll under par—on the Quail Hollow Country Club course. At 7278 yards, the course was the longest on the professional circuit this season.

Weiskopf, who ended three years play without a tournament title, made up the most ground—charging from six

strokes off the pace with only four holes to play. He finished with a finalround 69, as did Player, and Trevino, Douglass was one over on both the last two holes for a 70. THREE BEHIND

The New Zealander, R. J. Charles, finished three strokes behind the deadheaters on 280, after a fine fourth-round 69.

The Australian, B. Crampton, lost his chances with a

final-round 72 for a total of 283. The third round leader, R. Lunn, let his chances slip with a one-over-par 73, to finish in a three-way tie with R. Funseth and G. Johnson on 279, behind the play-off quartet. It was Weiskopfs first victory since the 1968 San Diego and Buick open tournament. The play-off hole was the par-5, 599 yd fifteenth. All four reached the green in three strokes. Player, Trevino, and Douglass, all with long putts, overshot the pin on their first putts, but Weiskopf, putting last from Bft away, sank his for the birdie and the victory. The leaders were:— 277—T. Weiskopf. 66. 72, 70. 69; L. Trevino, 69. 73. 66. 69; D. Douglass. 71, 65. 71. 70; G. Player, 72. 67. 69, 69.,

279 R. Lunn, 69, 66. 71. 73; R. Funseth, 69. 70. 71. 69; G. Johnson. 72. 70, 07. 70. 280— L. Hinson, 69, 70, 72. 69; R. J. Charles (New Zealand), 69, 73. 69, 69. Other foreign entries were:— 283—8. Crampton (Australia), 71. 71. 69. 72. 289—A. Jacklin (Britain). 73 72, 71. 73.