Clark leading Masters

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32803, 31 December 1971, Page 24

Clark leading Masters

(New Zealand Press Association)

TAURANGA.

The unattached Rotorua professional, D. Clark, with a four-under-par 66, in yesterday’s first round, is setting the pace in the Spalding Masters $5OOO golf tournament.

The 23-yeai-old Clark gained a one-stroke lead ;over the New Zea- ; lander, R. J. Charles, ;and the Australian, G. B. [Wolstenholme, who both carded 675.

Sharing third place on 68 (are another New Zealander,; |W. J. Godfrey, and Archin [Sopon (Thailand), while seven players arc on 69, including the South African, S. Sewgolum. “In 1968, I led the New Zealand Open in Christchurch after the opening round, and that year, I also led the Watties tournament after two rounds,” said Clark. “After that I went backwards.” FIJI OPEN WIN

70— J. Stolhand (U.S.), J. Vaughn (U.S.). P. Murray (Aust.), S. Peach (Aust.). 71— *J. Hagar (Hutt), F. Mal-i loy (N.Z.), *P. Shadlock (Mana-1 kau), J. Reid (N.Z.). S. Owen I (N.Z.). 1

’ However, in August he [won the Fiji open, and later gained pro-am victories in the Templeton summer open and the Terry Kelso tournament) also at Templeton. Yesterday, Clark went out in 33 (two under the card), with birdies at the second, sixth, eighth and ninth holes. He dropped shots at the fourth and fifth, after landing in a bunker at one hole and three-putting the other. On the homeward nine, he sank a four-foot birdie putt at the tenth and a 20-footer for another birdie at the thirteenth, for a second half 33.

LOST IN BRANCHES Charles, seeking his third New Zealand tournament victory this season, had mixed 'fortunes for his 67. The only [greens he missed were C e [sixteenth and seventeenth, [where he dropped shots after skirmishes with tall trees. In fact, his drive at the sixteen i ; remained permanently in some branches and he incurred a penalty stroke. Charles also had a oneover at the seventh after [missing a three-foot putt. His birdies came at the first, second, eighth and eighteenth and at the 515-yard sixth [hole, he dropped a 20-faoter off a sloping bank for an eagle three.

Wolstenholme, lying second [behind Charles on the prize- ; money list, had five birdies [and two one-overs in [another consistent round. ; “I didn’t play too well,” he said. “It was my first round 'after the holidays. Every [time I have a holiday, I come [back and shoot a 67.” Godfrey started in sensational fashion, with birdies at the first, second and fourth holes and an eagle [three at the sixth, where he

put a 6-iron shot 18 feet from the pin and dropped his putt. He was four under at the turn, and had another birdie at the thirteenth. But then Godfrey crashed badly, dropping shots at the fourteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth. Leading scores were: 66—Clark.

67 Charles, Wolstenholme. 68— Godfrey, Sopon. 69 — P. Morgan (Aust.), T. Kendall (N.Z.) *S. G. Jones (Hastings), *B. Webster (Paraparaumu). Sewgolum M. Bohen (U.S.), B. Boys (N.Z.).