P.G.A. title to Japanese golfer

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32810, 10 January 1972, Page 3

P.G.A. title to Japanese golfer

(N.Z. Press Association) TAURANGA. The 24-year-old Japanese, M. Ozaki, on Saturday won the $10,500 New Zealand P.G.A. golf championship at Mt Maunganui by seven strokes from the New Zealander, R .J. Charles, and another Japanese, T. Murakami.

Ozaki, a former baseball pitcher, started the fourth round five shots ahead of his fellow countryman, T. Kono, and G. Wolstenholme (Australia).

While Wolstenholme collapsed dramatically over the final four holes and Kono faded away, the tall, imperturbable Ozaki set the pace and his challengers could not get near him.

Ozaki won the $2OOO first prize with an aggregate score of 269—15 under par. He had rounds of 68, 65, 69 and a 67 today. Charles made a late charge, carding a three-under 68. By being placed second equal with Murakami on 276, Charles won $l2OO. His winnings on the New Zealand circuit this year are a record $10,588, and he is the first golfer to win $lO,OOO

or more in one New Zealand season. Another valuable trophy awarded to Charles was the $2OOO Mikimoto pearl necklace presented by a wealthy Japanese golf course owner, Mr Itaro Itoyama, for the first non-Japanese finisher, . Wolstenholme, who bogeyed the last four holes, actually missed an easy 3ft putt, on the last green to tie with Charles for the necklace, Huge galleries followed Ozaki and Wolstenholme, who played together. Last year , the ever-smiling Ozaki won a record $50,000 on his home circuit. • On Saturday he required 32 putts and missed only one

green in an- accurate display of iron play. But he almost struck disaster nt the eleventh hole when he was twice under trees. However, his calmness under pressure enabled him to. escape with a bogey. Wolstenholme and W. Godfrey (New Zealand) both finished in equal fourth place on 277. Godfrey has now qualified for selection in the twoman New Zealand team to contest: the World Cup in Melbourne in November. Charles has also earned selection,' but he is yet unsure :of his availability. . The leading amateur was P. Shadlock (Auckland).

Leading scores:— 269—Ozaki (Japan), 68, 65, 69, 67. 276— Charles (N.Z.), 71, 71, 66, 68; Murakami (Japan). 66, 72, 70, 68. 277— Wolstenholme (Aust.). 66, 69. 72, 70. 277— W. Godfrey (N.Z.), 72. 68, 69. 68. 278— K. D. G. Nagle (Aust.), 69, 67, 73, 69; T. Murakami (Japan), 66, 72, 70, 68; J. Lister (N.Z.), 71, 73, 65, 69; P. W. Thomson (Aust.), 68. 69, 71, 70. 280 — V. Bennetts (Aust.), 71, 71. 71. 67. 281— M. Bohen (U.S.). 70, 69, 71, 71. 283— S. Owen (N.Z.), 72, 70, 71, 70. 284 — 8.. Osborne (U.S.), 70, 70, 74, 70; P. Shadlock (Auckland), 70. 74. 70, 70. 286—P. Morgan (Aust.), 73, 75, 66. 72; H. Sugimoto (Japan), 70, 73. 71, 72: D. Ingram (Aust.), 73, 69, 69. 75.