British Open golf champion likely for N.Z. tourney

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 46

British Open golf champion likely for N.Z. tourney

The 1981 British Open golf champion, Bill Rogers, of the United States, is a likely starter for the country’s richest tournament, the $lOO,OOO Air New Zealand Shell Open at Titirangi from December 3 to 6.

Rogers, aged 29, is enjoying . his most prosperous season since turning professional in 1974. Among his other interests are hunting and fishing, and the Texan is keen to try his skills in those pursuits as well as on the testing Titirangi course. In addition to winning the British Open by four strokes last month, Rogers was runner-up to the Australianborn, United States-based David Graham, in the United States Open. His earnings for the season in the United

States alone have reached $161,261. It has taken Rogers a long time to make a significant break-through. His only previous success on the United States tour was in the Bob Hope Desert Classic three years ago. However, Rogers, even if his successes have been few, has had no worries in filling the coffers. He has been among the most consistent golfers on the circuit in recent years and earned

$230,500 in 1979 without winning. Last year, he was runnerup on two occasions and finished in the top 10 nine times for earnings of $146,863. Rogers has not found success so elusive overseas. Among his more notable victories are the 1977 Pacific Masters in Japan, the 1979 world match-play championship in England, and the 1980 Suntory Open in Japan. Another star attraction expected to be at Titirangi is the tall and powerful American, Lon Hinkle. Since turning professional in 1972, the solidly-built Hinkle has won three tour events and has been consistently placed in the top 10. Two years ago he finished third on the United States money list behind Tom Watson and Larry Nelson. This year he was runner-up in tournaments won by Johnny Miller and David Graham. With earnings of $125,329, Hinkle is placed fourteenth on the United States circuit. While Rogers and Hinkle will add lustre to the field,' their presence will only enrich a top-class assembly. The defending champion, Eamon Darcy, of Ireland, will be attempting the double and another top contender will be Bobby Clampett, The 1979 United States amateur champion, Mark O’Meara, who finished equal fifteenth in the tournament last year, will return. At least 25 United States professionals, including Bill Brask, a former winner of the tournament, are expected to be starters from the stable of Bruce Osborne’s international group. The usual Australian and New Zealand influx is likely to be headed by regulars such as Graham Marsh, Bruce Devlin, Rodger Davis, Bob Shearer, Bill Dunk, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Brian Jones, Bob Charles, John Lister, Simon Owen, Stuart Reese, and Dennis Clark.