Tie in U.S. Open golf

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32639, 22 June 1971, Page 32

Tie in U.S. Open golf

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

ARDMORE (Pennsylvania).

Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino meet in a play-off for the United States Open golf championship sounding like a mutual admiration society rather than rivals for the most treasured prize in their sport

Nicklaus and Trevino finished their regulation 72 holes deadlocked at 280 over the short but tricky east course at Merlon Golf Club—the second time in a row an Open at Merlon had produced a play-off.

In the,interview room later, Trenvino called Nicklaus “the greatest golfer who ever held a golf club in his hands.”

But Nicklaus, not to be outdone, recalled a conversation he had with Trevino when they played an exhibition match in February. “Lee, you don’t realise how good a player you are,” Nicklaus said. “You can hit every shot out of the bag.”

The 18-hole battle for the $30,000 first prize is generally thought to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in endorsements and side benefits.

Until Nicklaus and Trevino finished in a tie, however, most of the attention focused on J. Simons, a 21-year-old amateur from. Butler. Pennsylvania, who was unknown until he reached the finals of the British amateur championship earlier this month. WILTED Simons kept the lead through nine holes of the final round before wilting in the 80deg heat and the pressure of the Open.

R. Rosburg, coming out of the pack with a 69 yesterday, and J. Colbert, tied for third place with two-over-nar 282, while Simons, who had a 76, was at 283 with J. Miller and G. Archer.

R. J. Charles (New Zealand) had a final round of 70 to finish six strokes behind. New Zealand’s J. Lister finished his first United States Open with a spectacular birdie three at the 458-yard eighteenth hole.

Although his par round of 70 was only good enough for equal thirty-ninth place, the birdie was something most of his peers were unable to achieve in four days of play. Lister sank a 30ft putt on the eighteeenth green to finish the hole one under par and drew warm applause from hundreds of spectators. The best Australian, B.

Devlin, finished with a 77 for a total of 289. 280—J. Nicklaus, 69, 72, 68, 71; L. Trevino, 70, 72, 69, 69. 282—J. Colbert, 69, 69. 73. 71; B. Bosburg. 71. 72, 70, 69: G. Archer, 71, 70, 70, 72; 3. Miller. 70, 73. 70, 70; J. Simons (amateur), 71, 71. 65, 76. 284 R. Floyd, 71. 75, «7, 71. 285 G. Brewer, 70, 70, 73, 72; L. Hinson. 71, 71, 70, 73; B. Nichols, 69, 72, 69, 75; B. Yancy, 75, 69, 69, 72. 286 B. 3. Charles, 72, 75, 69. 70; B. Cole, 72. 71. 72, 7J.