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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 11

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QUALIFYING' PLAYERS AMERICANS LEAD SCORES KIRKWOOD'S RECORD OF 67 By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 6 Rain fell throughout the night, but ceased at 10 a.m. to-day and the conditions were ideal for the second qualifying round of the British open golf championship at Carnoustie and Burnside.

The American contingent dominated the leading positions in the event, which this year, more definitely than ever before, is golf's championship of the world. The United States player J. Kirkwood, who is an Australian by birth, lowered the record of 69 for the Burnside course established yesterday by Horton Smith. His total was 67, for which the figures were: Out, 4, 4, 3, 5, 2, 4, 4, 3, 3—32; in, 4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 5, 4, 3, 5 —35.

Twice holing shots from off the green on the outward holes, Kirkwood would have "burned up" the course but for two 18-inch putting lapses during the homeward nine holes. He scored an "eagle" three at the 17th, where he again holed out with a chip shot, from off the green.

One hundred and forty-one players with aggregates of 157 or better qualified. The leading scores were:— Horton Smith (U.S.), 69, 69 —138; Gene Sarazen (U.S.), 71, 70—141; S. Snead (U.S.), 70, 72—142; Byron Nelson (U.S.), 71, 71—142; W. Hagen (U.S.), 71, 71—142.

Alastair McLeod (Britain), 70, 73 143; Faulkner, 71, 72—143. J. Kirkwood (U.S.), 67, 77—144; R. Guldahl (U.S.), 70, 74—144; Hancock (Britain), 71, 73 —144; E. Dudley (U.S.), 72, 72—144; Stenhouse (Britain), 73, 71—144; Mahon (Britain), 74, 70 —144; Bobby Locke (South Africa), 73, 71 —144; Smithers (Britain), 71, 73 —144. Collinge (Britain), 72, 73 —145; H. Cotton (Britain), 72, 73■ —145; W. H. Greeu (Britain), 74, 71—145; A. Boomer (Britain), 76, 69—145; Cox, 72, 74 —146; A. Pern- (Britain), 74, 72—146; D. Shute (U.S.), 75, 71—146; T. Manero (U.S.), 74, 72—146. Bullock (Britain), 71, 76 —147; Laidlaw, 73, 72—147; Knight, 71, 76—147; J. Revolta (U.S.), 71; 76 —147; M. Dallemagne (France), 74, 73 —147; F. E. Dennis (Britain), 75, 72—147; A. Boyer (France), 75, 72—147; E. E. Whitcombe (Britain), 77, 70—147. C. A. Whitcombe (Britain), 73, 75 148; Mcintosh (Britain), 74, 74—148; H. Picard (U.S.), 75, 73—148; James Adams (Britain), 74, 74—148; A. J. Lacey (Britain), 75, 73 —148; R. Burton (Britain), 72, 76 —148; Anderson, 74, 74—143; Denny, 73, 75—148. The holder, A. H. Padgham, scored 74, 78 —152, and Walker (New Zealand), 77, 83—160.

The scoring in the qualifying rounds was remarkably good, and although the Carnoustie course was recently lengthened to 7135 yards, the additional distance made little difference to the master golfers. Horton Smith, the 29-year-old American professional, was • in even better form than on the previous day and his score of 69 is the best recorded at Carnoustie. The American players will make a bold bid to regain the title, which they held for many years before 1934, and it probably will require better than even fours to lead the field. The Americans filled the first five qualifying places and, while the chances of a British victory in the championship are not bright, the event will be full of interest. Two British players, A. McLeod and G. Faulkner, each registered good scores, and past champions, A. Perry and T. H. Cotton, finished well up in the list. Boomer, who was leading with Horton Smith on the first day, found Carnoustie more difficult than Burnside, but the amateur, Bobby Locke, improved by two strokes. The present holder of the title, A. H. Padgham, qualified, having improved by four strokes on his previous day's score, Kirkwood played a brilliant round after his very indifferent display at Carnoustie, but again his old weakness was apparent, as he missed two short putts.