FAMOUS GOLFERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 13

FAMOUS GOLFERS.

ARRIVAL TO-MORROW,

WALTER HAGEN AND KIRKWOOD.

EXHIBITION MATCH ARRANGED

Two of the most celebrated golfers in the world, Walter Hagen and J. H. Kirkwood, will arrive at Auckland by the Aorangi from Vancouver to-morrow.. A match between them has been arranged to take place at the Titirangi links on Tuesdav.

Hagen's record in the principal events of Great Britain and the United States is equalled orilv by Bobby Jones. He is aged 33. Besides winning the British open championship in 1922, 1925, 192S and 1929 he was once runner-up. He equals the record of Taylor and Braid in the number of his successes, and is one short of that of \ ardon. His victories in the American open championship were scored in 1914 and 1919, and he was also once runner-up.

Not only has Hagen shone in medal play; he has won many match-play events, including the United States professional championship five times, the last four in succession. He has taken part in many money matches, the most spectacular being that with Compston, when he was beaten 13 up and 17 in a 36 holes game. Notwithstanding this crushing crushing defeat, Hagen won the British open a fortnight later. He has since played two matches with Compston, winning one and losing one. One of the greatest triumphs of his career was when he played Bobby Jones in Florida and defeated him, 13 up and 12.

Kirkwood has made his name chieflv as a wonderful exponent of trick play. " He was born in Sydney in 1396. and was first employed by Andrew Soutar at Manly. After being professional at Riversdale, \ ictoria, lie decider! to try his fortune abroad. In 1920 he won the Australian open championship, and after his New Zealand trip, when he won both the New Zealand open and professional championships at Hamilton, ho went to England. Hn played in the British open, being at the head of the field until the last nine holes, when he broke down and fell back to sixth. His next move was to the I nited States, where his trick shots soon won him recognition and a position among the highest-paid professionals. In 1923 he returned to England for the open, and again had a chance of winning, only to drop back in the last few holes, as before. After his match with Hagen at Titirangi, Kirkwood will give an exhibition of trick shots. Ihe pair will plav in Wellington and C'hristchurch before leaving for Australia, where their first appearance will be at Newcastle. In all, they will make 17 appearances in Australia and New Zealand.