RYDER CUP GOLF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 16

RYDER CUP GOLF

AMERICA'S SUCCESS STRATEGY OF WALTER HAGEN PROMISING BRITISH PLAYER A GREAT SINGLES MATCH lIV GENE SARAZEN (Famous American Professional.) (Copyright) LONDON, Juno 30 America has finally broken through iho ice. Wo have won the cup on British soil. The conditions were most suitable to the British players, and, although our chances once looked as gloomy as the low clouds over the dunes, a lot of credit must be given to the non-playing American captain, Walter Hagen, for his strategical placing of his men. There is no doubt that he did that well, especially in the foursomes. Thus, I think ho won us the match. We did not figure on doing better than two and a-half matches in the foursomes. Every player was kept informed of the progress of other matches, so that he would not let up. Walter Hagen is to be congratulated on his work as fieldmarshal.

I can criticise the way the British team was manhandled. In the first place, Cotton should never have played with Padgham, and in the second place, Charles Whitcombo and C6x should not have Eitepped asido from tho singles in placo of others, who. I think, should have been left out. Whitcombe is too good a singles player, and Cox too great a putter. They would have covered themselves with glory in to-day's cpnditions of heavy rain and wind. No doubt, strategy won us this Byder Cup. Horton Smith, for instance, told Hagen last night that he did not feel that he was playing well enough, and requested that ho should not bo considered for our singles team. What a difference Inhere might have been if that spirit had prevailed among the British team. Sensation ol the Match The sensation of this match has been tho young British player, Dai Pees. He played grand golf to beat Byron Nelson, who is just about our best man. We all would have put every dollar we' have on Nelson to win that match. I do not know whether the British people realise just what he did. It was great stuff. Tho boy has what it takes to win golf matches. That goes for Sam King, too, who, after being four down with ten to play, halved his match with our greatest match player, Deiismore Shute. I would say to the British captain and officials: "Go out and look for more young men like Pees and King."

The conditions were made for Britain to-day. If they could not beat us on this course, they never will. Perhaps they made the mistake in using Southport and Ainsdale. A lot of our fellows know well that it takes more than brute strength to play on this course. You need hcadwork, too. "My Greatest Match"

My match with Alliss will live with mo as the greatest in my career. Never before have I been faced with a situation like this —three down and nine, to go—and my opponent as steady as a rock. I began to feel that it was a hopeless chase, but when I walked to the 10th, I saw my old comrade, Hagen, who has been by partner in many a battle. He gave me inspiration when ho said, "Keep at it," He was there directing my plav. When I approached the 35th I .was one up and sitting pretty. When I chipped to within 12in. of the pin, Alliss was 15 yards away, and my ball was on his line. Walter said, "The odds are 1000 to 1 against him holing." Percy did hole. His ball kissed mine and went away into the hole. How tho crowd of 10,000 roared! With the last hole ahead I had memories of tho 1933 match. I remembered how we had lost tho Ryder Cup when Shute missed a tiny putt. I did not want to make a mess of the hole and be haunted for evermore.. Walter said, "This point will decide." I asked him what he wanted, and he said, "Four." Beliovo mo, I played that hole safe, safer than any I have ever played.

Now I am thrilled to think that America has made history by winning here, especially as I feel certain that I have played in my last Ryder Cup. Tho crowds treated us marvellously. I am 100 per cent for the British people and British golfers.

The United States won five singles to two, one being halved. Results were: R. Guldahl (U.S.A.) beat A. H. Padgham (Britain), 8 and 7; S. L. King (Britain) and D. Shute (U.S.A.), halved: T. H. Cotton (Britain), beat T. Manero (U.S.A.), 5 and 3; D. J. Pees (Britain) .beat B. Nelson (U.S.A.), 3 and 1; G. Sarazen (U.S.A.) heat P. Alliss. 1 up; E. Dudley (U.S.A.) beat A. Perry, 2 and 1; S. Snead (U.S.A.) beat R. Burton (Britain), 5 and 4; H. Picard (U.S.A.) heat A. J. Lacoy (Britain), 2 and 1. in tho foursomes United States won two and Britain one, one being halved. Results were: Sarazen and Snute, and Whitcombe and. Roes, all square; Picard and Revolta lost to Alliss and Burton, 2 and 1; Guldahl and Manero beat Laeey and Cox, 2 and 1; Dudley and Nelson beat Padgham and Cotton, 4 and 2. '