Ballesteros has third win in a row

Press, 5 December 1977, Page 36

Ballesteros has third win in a row

PA Dunedin The Spanish star, Severiano Balesteros won the Otago Charity Golf Classic yesterday, setting a new tournament record despite wet conditions at St Clair on the final day. It was Ballesteros’s third win in as many starts. He has collected almost $lOO,OOO from the Japan Open, the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan and the Otago Classic. Brought to New Zealand by Benson and Hedges, Ballesteros will play an exhibition match in Rotorua before defending his World Cup title in Manila. “After this win I feel very happy about our World Cup chances,” Ballesteros said. The key to Ballesteros’s success at St Clair was his performances on the par fives. He finished under par on 15 of the 16 par five holes he played during the four days. “Strength is the reason why I hit the ball a long way,” he said. “It is natural strength in my arms and legs which I have maintained by hitting many balls,” he said. Ballesteros finished three strokes ahead of the American “rookie,” Bob By man. “I like very much to beat Americans,” Ballesteros said. “They win everywhere and so it is nice to see someone else win.” Ballesteros began his final round tied with Byman but made a birdie on the first from 2.5 metres. He made a comfortable birdie at the third and went 15 under par when he drove the 336-metre sixth green and two-putted from Bm. Ballesteros dropped his only stroke to par when he finished at least one club short at the short seventh hole. He finished with three pars for a 67, which left Byman in second place, only one stroke clear of Ted Ball (Australia). Byman began with two birdies but lost his ball at the third hole.

Although he made a birdie with his second ball he lost a shot and went further behind when he took three from the front edge of the fourth green. Although he had birdies at the ninth, twelfth and fourteenth Ballesteros was always at least two strokes in front of the remainder of the round. Ball, who holed a Im putt for a birdie on the last green, took $3OOO for third. The Australian David Good also shot a 71 for his final round but hit the ball a lot better than this score

indicates. On numerous occasions his putts slid past the hole leaving Good with the sympathy of the gallery The disappointment of the tournament was Kel Nagle who until halfway through the third round looked like taking his third title. He fea tured at the top of the leaders’ board but a triple-bogey six at the thirteenth cost him dearly. He faded on the final day with a two-over-par 74 — Nagle’s worst round in fine conditions at St Clair. Ron Johnston (St Clair) took the amateur honours, finishing with a par round yesterday. His four-round total of 286 was creditable and he only scored worse than par on one occasion — the third round. Geoff Clarke (St Clair), who has had a monopoly on the title, finished strongly with a four-under-par 68 but Johnston still won. Scores and prize money: 271: S. Ballesteros (Spain), 69, 67. 68 , 67 ($8000). 274: B. Byman (U.S.) 72, 65. 67, 70 ($4800). 275: E. Ball (Australia), 73, 67, 66, 69 ($3000). 278: D. Good (Australia). 68 , 67, 72. 71 ($2040). 279: M. Krantz (U.S.). 68. 72, 68. 71 ($1600). 280: R. Charles (N.Z.), 71. 69, 69. 71; G. Hamilton (Canada), 69. 70. 71, 70 ($1360 each). 281: S. Ginn (Australia) 73. 68, 69. 71 ($1120), 282: K. Nagle (Australia) 70, 67, 71. 74; S. Owen (N.Z.) 73. 71. 69, 69 ($lOOO each). 283: G Burrows (U.S.) 71, 67. 72. 73 ($880). 284: R. Coombes (N.Z.) 71, 69, 67. 77; W. Brask (U.S.) 70. 69. 72, 73; T. Kendall (N.Z.) 70. 70, 72. 72 ($762.66 each). 285: L. Roberts (U.S.) 76. 64, 71. 74; F. Conallin (Australia) 73, 69. 70, 73; R. McNaughton (Australia) 73. 67. 76. 69 ($640 each). 286: J. Lister (N.Z.) 70, 72. 71. 73; T. Gale (Australia) 71. 74. 71, 70; R. Davis (Australia) 72, 73, 73, 68; R. Johnston (amateur. St Clair) 70. 71, 73. 72 ($520 eacD). 287: G. Pidlaski (Canada) 69, 73. 72. 73; J. Clifford (Australia) 76. 71. 69. 71 ($420 each) 288: G. Wolstenholme (Australia) 68 . 72. 73. 75; M. Cox (U.S.) 72, 72 . 74. 70 ($340 each).

289: B. Vivian (N.Z.) 73. 72. 73, 71; P. Croker (Australia) 73, 73, 70. 73; A. R. Timms (N.Z.) 72, 73, 74, 70: S Jenne (U.S.) 71. 72, 72 . 74 ($2BO each).

290: J. Vonlossow (U.S.) 75, 76, 72, 67; G. Clarke (amateur 't Clair) 76. 72. 74 , 68; J. Fou-1 t (U.S.) 68. 74, 73. 75; P. Firms* ne (Australia) 72, 72. 74. 72 ($232 each).