First Jacklin win in Aust.

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 28

First Jacklin win in Aust.

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MELBOURNE. The Englishman, A. Jacklin, won his first event in Australia yesterday. He outlasted an international field with a four-stroke victory in the Dunlop tournament at Yarra Yarra.

Jacklin’s 11-under-par total of 277 (74, 63, 68, 72) boosted England’s hopes for Thursday’s World Cup series at the Royal Melbourne Club, where he will partner G. Hunt.

The young Briton’s victory was a triumph for his persistence after five fruitless years on the Australian circuit. On Saturday and yesterday, the form that won him the British and United States Open titles was very much in evidence, particularly in yesterday’s stamina-sapping final 36 holes.

Jacklin, with a recordbreaking 63 on the par-72 course on Saturday, hit a steady 68 in the third round, and had only to maintain his form over the last 18 holes, as he watched his most serious challengers all fade towards the finish.

The Australian, D. Graham, with a 67 in the morning, crashed to a final round of 76, and finished in second place with Thailand’s World Cup golfer, Sukree Oncham, who carded a 69 and 73 for a total of 281.

Australia’s World Cup representative, W. Dunk, who started the final round level with Jacklin, faded badly on the final nine holes, and took 41 home for a five-over 77, for fourth place and 282. P. Oosterhuis (England) also crashed when he four-

putted the last green for a 75, when two putts would have given him a share of the second place with Graham and Onsham. His twoover seven on the last for a total of 283 cost him $9OO. The disappointment of the tournament was the South African, G. Player. Having trouble with putting over the last few days, Player faded from contention after an opening 69, and his rounds yesterday of 77 and 74 were seven over par.