OFF TO AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 18057, 26 August 1922, Page 10

OFF TO AMERICA

FOUR BRITISH GOLFERS TO SID FOR U.S.A. TITLE. [Written by Abe Mitchell for tho ‘Evening Star.’] Tho fma golf of the three Americans was undoubtedly tho feature of the championship, and no one could deny that the success of Walter Hagou was very worthily gained; but wo are still entitled to think that the performance of George Duncan in the final round was the greatest feat of all. Indeed, one can search the records of the national tournament and fail to liucl a parallel to his score of 69. Having regard to the conditions, tho min and the wind, it scarcely aeemed possible. No one in tho previous rounds had beaten 72, and, though Duncan went out to make ono of his best efforts, - he had no real hope of getting near to winning tho prize. Ho felt, like everyone else, that ho had lost his chauco by taking 81 in the morning. Even when ho reached the turn in 34, and was therefore inside tho schedule it was necessary to play to in order to tie with Hagen, ho was left with a task that sccmcdi beyond his genius, for he had to face tho long and difficult holes home against the wind. Due, the fourteenth, was almost certain to uso up five strokes, and there was only ono, (ho sixteenth, at which it was reasonable to expect a three. Duncan's chance came when ho secured -a three at the thirteenth to put him inside the figures. But it was only half a. one; it could only bo a real ono by obtaining a. two -at the short sixteenth. He thought ho could get it. His imagination was fired by a newly-born hope that he might after all save the cup. After ho had reckoned up tho position Duncan, as Wiliio Ritchie, his partner, told me afterwards, declared that he could get the two. How ho put his spoon shot a yard! from tho flag and gallantly holed the putt is now a feat of history. Was there ever _a finer two? It was obtained to order, as it were, and this ono incident in a truly magical hole will ever be remembered. THE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP. This time there will be four of us playing in the championship, for, as is known, !. H. Taylor and Alec Herd are also embarking on an American tour, and they intend to play at Skokie., As ho showed by his wonderful effort at ’Sandwich, Taylor has still the capacity to play his best golf, and there as no doubt that the fact that there are four of us in the field will enhance our prospects of success, for, apart from the friendship gained, there will bo a stronger feeling of moral support. The weather, from my experience, is the chief enemy of tho British golfer in America. Prom this point of view it is of some significance that tho American in this country suffers no handicap. Indeed, you may have noted that ho plays as well in England as he does at home. It has been said, with a conviction that I can understand, that wo have no three players to match against Hagen, Barnes, and Hutchison. On the evidence of the play at Sandwich this may appear a proper conclusion to arrive at; but before accepting it as definite I would ask you first to examine tho record of Vardon and Ray in America two years ago, and also that of Duncan and; myself last year. All I will say on this point is that in tho matches in which we met Barnes and Hutchison wo wore never beaten. Still, it must bo admitted that the British effort at Sandwich was rather disappointing, and it there is ono department of tho gamo in which tho Americans surpass us it is putting. They may not get tho ball down from any longer distances than wo do, but I confess, so truly do they strike tbo ball, that they look as if they ought to. I think it is in the approach putt that their chief advantage lies. They place the ball so close to the hole as to bo relieved of •all worry as to getting down with tho next shot. If one can outy make habit of this, golf is greatly simplified.