Golfer disqualified

Press, 7 June 1983, Page 8

Golfer disqualified

NZPA-Reuter Chepstow, Wales

The Spaniard, Severiano Ballesteros, was disqualified as a Welshman, lan Woosnam, cruised to a three-stroke triumph in the British Masters’ golf championship at St Pierre yesterday. The United States Masters winner, Ballesteros, was relegated to seventy-fifth and last place, three days after he broke the rules by signing an incorrect scorecard.

The error was made when the Spaniard partnered Woosnam and Ireland’s John O’Leary in Friday’s opening round.

Ballesteros birdied the first three holes for legitimate figures of 4-3-2, but his marker O’Leary entered them on the card as 4-2-3. The Spaniard failed to spot the mistake and signed the card.

“It was entirely my own fault. I was responsible for my card,” said Ballesteros who closed with a 68 which would have put him joint thirteenth, worth over £l5OO sterling in prize money.

The tournament director, Tony Gray, said: “It was established an hour before the end of his last round that he should have been disqualified on the first day, but we allowed him to continue.”

- Woosnam recorded his first big triumph in Britain with a seven-biraie 65 for a 15-under par total of 269. The diminutive Welshman only looked like being caught when his closest challenger, Bernard Gallacher, of Scotland, birdied the eleventh and twelfth to go 11 under. Woosnam was twice in trees at the twelfth but holed from 20 feet to save par and keep his one-stroke advantage. Four birdies in the next five holes carried him safely to the first prize of more than £16,500.

Gallacher carded a 68 for 272 with Britain’s Nick Faldo third after a 69 for 273. The Australian, Greg Norman, made a gallant attempt to retain his title. He chipped in for an eagle at the twelfth and holed out from 40 feet at the last for 68 and fourth place on 274.