Whitcombe is Champion: Cotton 3 Strokes Away

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1938, Page 5

Whitcombe is Champion: Cotton 3 Strokes Away

(Received 2.30 p.m.)

LONDON, July 8. YVT ITH AN AGGREGATE OF 295, R. A. WHITCOMBE WON THE BRITISH OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH WAS PLAYED ON THE ROYAL ST. GEORGE LINKS, AT SANDWICH, KENT. A fierce south-westerly gale, which wrecked the competitors' tent and the show stands, and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, had its effect on the scoring. Only nine of the 37 players who took paid in the final two rounds to-day managed to break 80 in the third. At this stage, Whitcombe was leading Burton by one stroke, and Adams was a further stroke behind. After the first two rounds. Whitcombe was conceding the three leaders two strokes.

Cotton’s Gallant Effort,

Cotton, the holder, made a gallant attempt to catch the leaders, and his 74 in the final ■ round was the best score of the day. He was out in 35, and, with three holes to play, he required 3,4, 4to tie. However, he was twice bunkered at the 17th hole, and ruined his chances by carding a six. The three leaders at the half-way mark —Busson, Cox and Burton—all played poorly in the concluding stages, and the only one of the trio to break 80 in the two rounds was Burton, who had a 78 in the third round.

The Scores. Details of the leading scores are as follows: — R. A. Whitcombc . . 71-71-75-78—295 J. Adams . . . . . . 70-71-78-78—297 T. H. Colton . , . , . 74-73-77-74—298 A. H. Fadgham . . . 74-72-75-82—303 J. J. Busson . . . . . 71-69-83-80—303 R. Burton . . . . . 71-69-78-85—303 W. J. Cox . . . . . . 70-70-84-80—304 Bulloch . . 73-74-77-80—304 D. J. Rees . . . . . . 73-72-79-83—307 A. Perry . . . . . . 71-74-77-86—308