P.G.A. title to Nagle

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33426, 7 January 1974, Page 18

P.G.A. title to Nagle

CA'eu’ Zealand Press Association

TAURANGA.

In an exciting finish, the veteran Australian professional, K. D. G. Nagle, won his sixth New Zealand P.G.A. golf title at Tauranga.

The leader of the [515,000 tournament .since the end of the second round, Nagle won by 'two strokes after a tremendous last - round tussle with the New Zealand professional, W. Godfrey, who was playing with him. Nagle started yesterday’s round 15-under par, one stroke ahead of another Australian, L. Sharp, and two ahead of Godfrey, who came right back into the tournament on Saturday with a seven-under-par 63. Nagle birdied the sixth, but still saw his lead whittled away by Godfrey, who scored his fourth eagle of the tournament there.

Further birdies on the eighth and ninth holes saw Nagle go 18-under the card. However, he went out of bounds on the par-five thirteenth and dropped two shots there, then dropped another one on the seventeenth hole. Godfrey had birdied the thirteenth. so on the last tee the two were tied for the lead, 15 under par, as all other potential victors after 54 holes had suddenly melted [away. STEADINESS As ever, Nagle sent his drive straight down the middle while Godfrey pushed his shot to the right, leaving himself a difficult approach to the green around a bush. Nagle was on target with his second and got a 10-foot birdie putt when Godfrey missed the green. The rest of the field just was not in the race near the finish. Several leading contenders after 54 holes had [shocking rounds and faded; right away.

Perhaps the worst example was the young Australian, S. Ginn. After 54 holes he was 11 under par and only four behind Nagle, Yesterday he had a 77 after going out of bounds on the seventh, then double-bogeying the eleventh and fifteenth, and dropping further shots on the tenth and seventeenth holes. BAD START The rot set in even earlier for Sharp, who was playing with Ginn. Sharp started the day one stroke behind Nagle. He three putted both the par-three fourth and fifth holes, and dropped further shots on the seventh, ninth and eleventh holes. He was obviously rattled bv inconsiderate members of the huge gallery following Nagle. He still managed to share third nlace over all with the New Zealand professional. R. Newdick, who had a good 67 for a total: of 269. The top amateur was the New Zealand amateur champion, M. Nicholson (Tauranga), who shot 278, with a final round of 69. He finished fifteenth equal, 14 shots behind Nagle. The next amateur was the former New Zealand representative, E. McDougall (Tokoroa), on 280. 264—K. Nagie (Australia), 67. 64, 64, 69. 266—W. Godfrey (N.Z.). 70. 64, 63, 69. 269—L. Sharp (Australia) 66, 66. 64, 73; R Newdick (N.Z.), 68, 68. 66. 67. 27]—S. Owen (N.Z.), 74, 63, 66, 66. 272— D. Good (Australia), 69, 68, 68 67. 273— D. Clark (N.Z.), 64. 69, 69, 71. 274— J; Lister (N.Z.), 67. 74, 67, 66. 275— J. Evans (Australia), 66. 67 70. 72. 276— S. Ginn (Australia), 69. 64, 66, 77; P. Shadlock (N.Z.), 69. 67, 70. 72; I. Stanlev 69, 69 70, 68; H. Kennedy (N.Z.). 73. 68. 68. 67.