Dream win in golf Open

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33563, 18 June 1974, Page 30

Dream win in golf Open

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) MAMARONECK (New York). While his upset victory in the United States Open came as something of a surprise to the golfing world, H. Irwin, a former football star, had to admit that he was “kind of expecting it.”

“About three weeks ago I had a dream I won the United States Open,” Irwin said with a straight face,

"and now it’s come true.” When someone asked if he was joking, Irwin shot back, "It’s the gospel. I’m not making this up. If you don’t believe me, phone my wife.” The dream came true when Irwin took the $U535,000 first prize with a final-round 73 over the Winged Foot Golf Club course for a 72hole total of 287, seven over par. This gave him a twostroke margin over F. Fezler.

Another stroke back at 290 were B. Yancey, the winner of seven tournaments during his 11-year professional career, who carded a 72, and L. Graham, a two-time tour winner, who shot a 70. Watson, with whom Irwin was paired, parred the first three holes, but then collapsed. bogeying nine of the last 15 holes. The young professional has held the lead a number of times in the last two years, only to falter on the last day. Fezler has also come close to winning a number of events, only to succumb to nressure on the last 18 holes. But yesterday he finished strongly, challenging Irwin on the back nine and finishing with a 70. A. Palmer, who had shared the second round lead, finished on 292, higher than any of the other three former United States Open chamoions who survived the 36hole cut. J. Colbert also finished on 292.

G. Player (South Africa) the current Masters champion and the 1965 open titleholder, shot a final round 73 (despite a triple-bogey at the treacherous ninth hole), for a total of 293. while the three-time Open champion, J, Nicklaus, finished at 294 after shooting a one-under-par 69, his best round of the tournament.