FIGHTING GOLFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 18 (Supplement)

FIGHTING GOLFER

JAMES FERRIER, Australia's most ispectacular golfer, has at last won his first Open Championship. On several occasions strokes have separated him from the title, but at Seaton, Adelaide, recently, he won by the great margin of 14 shots. The honour was deserved, though overdue. Seven years ago, a ruddy-cheeked youth of 16 surprised the golfing enthusiasts of New South W ales by winning the amateur championship of the State at his first attempt. Outside his own club, Manly, few bad ever seen this stripling in action, but it was apparent after bis first few games that Australia possessed another potential champion. A few months later young Ferrier made a gallant bid for his first Australian title, but, with victory in his keeping, failed at the last hole. Greater experience would have given him the title that year. Standing on the 18tli tee he needed a four to win and a five to tie with the veteran Ivo Whitton. Played to Win Now, the 18th hole at Kensington in those days was a possible birdie four to the long bitters. That figure was well within the range oi Furrier's golfing equipment, so it was not surprising that the youth played for a win instead of a tie. J Well can I remember that scene. Ferrier got a long drive away and it finished well up the fairway. The second eliot was blind, and the player moved ahead and studied the line before making his next shot. He studied it overlong, for, selecting a wood, ho lialfpusned it out into the rough. Still he was within easy distanco of the greon, and an accurate approach would still have given him the opportunity of putting for a four. The pin was to the right of the green, and Ferrier, essaying a daring approach, just failed to finish on the green. Had ho done so the ball would have run down to the pin owing to tho slope of the ground. It took him another shot to be within four feet of the pin, and it seemed as if ho and Whitton would have to play off, but he struck his putt too firmly—tho ball went into the cup and hopped out, and Ivo Whitton had won bis fifth Open. "Thank Heavens!" I was standing beside Whitton at the time, and although noted for his powers of not revealing his emotion the Victorian lumped into the air with relief l™ n Ferrier missed his first putt. Thank heavens!" he said to mo. "I did not want to play the big fellow."

That was Ferrier's first attempt in the Australian Open, and it seems strange that he had to wait six years before he added his name to the illustrious band of players who have captured the premier golfing title of Australia. Ferrier's next attempt at the Open was at Royal Melbourne in 1933. He was second on this occasion, the title going to M. L. Kelly, who led throughout. Ferrier had chances, but the short holes with their deep bunkers proved too much for him, and although he finished with a brilliant last round he could not overtake the winner, who had three shots to spare. Sarazen's Visit The next Open, at Rose Bay in 1934, went to W. Bolger. That was the year tho famous American Gene Sarazen competed, and only for Bolger's brilliant display the title would have left Australia. Ferrier was well behind the field on that occasion, finishing with 298, whereas Bolger's 283 bore comparison with the best world-figures. But at Seaton in 1935 Ferrier again had the Open in his grasp. Why ho took the wrong club to escape from a grassy patch will never be understood. He hacl little chance of reaching the green and the odds were very much in favour of a mishit shot. That is what happened, and a crushing seven cost him the title by a stroke. Fergus McMalion won that title. In the 1936 championships, at Metropolitan, Melbourne, Ferrier was never

James Is Success Because H Loses Great Enthusiasm For the

in the hunt, Sarazen beating those two brilliant amateurs, Harry Williams and Harry Hattersley. Last year, at Kensington, Ferrier had a great chance starting the last day's play, but gradually N. von Nida, his partner, wore him down, and he finished well behind the others. With any other partner than von Nida it seems to me that Ferrier would have won his first Open. Looking into Ferrier's past performances, it will be found that ho generally has a round of 75 or 76 for his first 18 holes in the Open championship. But at Seaton this year he was otf to a 71, while his most dangerous opponent, N. von Nida, was four strokes more. Ferrier's next round gave him the title, for a brilliant 68 saw him in the lead by six shots. After this it was only a question of by how many strokes he would win. His rounds of 71, 68, 72, 72 reveal his great control and touch. Consistent Brilliancy Ferrier's performances since his advent into golf have been amazing for their consistent brilliancy. Record after record has been made by this young player, who in spite of his achievement is oven keener than at any other stage of his career. Indeed, it is this amazing enthusiasm for the which surprises all opponents. Even in practice rounds ho is playing for figures, and when securing them is happy. During the past few years Ferrier to a certain degree has discarded what Joo Kirk wood described ns his slogging methods.' He still hits the ball a long way, but it is in the direction of his iron shots that he has improved. He now has more control over them. I do not think he is as deadly a putter as previously, for too often he misses putts from under four feet. A couple of years ago these were "gimmes" to the champion. His long putting is ns good as ever. There was a stage when he was inclined to rely too much upon putting for the securing of his pars. That is a dangerous method, for tho player putting for birdies is bound in the long run to emerge with the best figures. Ferrier is still as pugnacious as ever and can fight back when necessary. He has, however, not shown his best form when confronted with the giants of the gamo. AVe saw that twice during tho tours of Sarazen. —H.W.S.