FRENCH GOLF TITLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 11

FRENCH GOLF TITLE.

WIN FOR HORTON SMITH.

BOOMER'S AMAZING FEAT.

PHENOMENAL ROUND OF 61.

HAGEN CANCELS MATCHES.

Australian Press Association—United Service (Received May 23, 8.35 p.m.) PARIS, Mny 22. The French golf championship at St. Cloud was concluded to-day, and won by Horton Smith (America) with a total score of 273 for 72 holes. The nearest scores were: Boomer 278, Cotton 283, Sarazen (America) 285, Hagen (America) 293. In his third round Boomer, the course professional, took 61, the lowest score for the course. The St. Cloud course, admittedly, is easier than some of the classic Biitish championship links, but it is 6500 yards long and scientifically bunkered. It demands straight driving to avoid woods. Boomer previously had done 62, but 61 in any championship anywhere is unknown in the history of golf. His card included three " eagles " (two under par) and three " birdies" (one under par). His amazing score was chiefly due to his superb approaching and putting. He had only 29 putts altogether. On tho homeward journey his score was: 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 4, 3—28. was wonderful, as it includes five holes of over 420 yards. Still Boomer, taking 10 more strokes in the afternoon, could not overtake Horton Smith. When the American came in the winner Hagen presented him with a large birthday cako with 21 lighted candles upon it. Most of the players have been affected by the sudden midsummer heat. Duncan had tc give up and tear up his card. Hagen caused a sensation by announcing that he had cancelled the matches he had arranged to play against Compston at Moor Park, London, and against Blackwell at Birmingham. Ho said ho was not afraid of Compston, but at present he is stale and wants to rest awhile from the gamo before tho American championships. He will meet Compston later. He would rather play Duncan, who had beaten him twice recently. The organisers of the matches were surprised at first learning of Hagen's decision to cancel tho matches through the press, as they had sold hundreds of tickets for the matches

Hoiion Smith, who was 21 yesterday, has been a professional player for two years, and is attached to a small club at Joplin, iVlissouri. He is a teetotaller and a non-smoker. In America he used steelshafted clubs, and practised hard with wooden clubs shortly before leaving for Europe. He is specially good at mashie niblick pitches. He plays very quickly and decisively, and, according to T. H. Cotton, is the finest example in the world of always being up with every shot. - Aubrey Basil Boomer was born in Jer; sev 32 years ago. He was French open champion in 1921 and 1922. and lias be«n champion of Belgium and twice of Holland. In 1927 he was with the British Ryder Cup team in America. In the French open championship last year—which was won by an amateur. Mr. C. ,T. H. Tolley, with a score of 283, at La Boulic—Boomer was fifth, with 287. He holds the record, 65, for La Boulie, for the Hague, 65, and St. Cermains, 69. In the recent Ryder Cup match at Moortown he and Duncan lost to Diegel and Espinosa in the foursomes by 7 up and 5. In the singles Boomer beat Turnesa, who recently won the 1000 guineas match at Moortown, by 4 up and 3.