GOLF

Southland Times, Issue 20770, 10 May 1929, Page 7

GOLF

THE BRITISH OPEN LEADERS IN THE FIRST ROUND AMERICANS PROMINENT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, May 8. The general offensive has opened at Muirfield, for everyone recognized that the first round of the British Open Golf Championship proper was an Anglo-American contest. The end of the day showed that the Americans were formidable challengers with twelve representatives in the first two dozen. Still the Britishers were not outclassed. Allies, who has been in Berlin for some years; broke Diegel’s record with a wonderful 69, the feature of which was brilliant iron play. The morning opened perfectly, a light breeze presaging good figures. Mitchell was early started and played magnificently with no sign of the nervousness that characterized him at the recent championships. He went out in 33 and would have comfortably broken 70 if he had been a trifle luckier with putts that stopped at the lip of at least three holqs. Most of the Americans went out knowing Mitchell’s figure and with a determination to beat it. Cotton and Compston left themselves leeway to make up later. These players were very unlucky, having to play through a heavy thunder shower, the only bad weather of the whole day. Compston had a bad adventure taking three to get out of a deep bunker. Hagen, partnering Cotton, put up a brave performance. He said: “With the rain streaming down my back I am satisfied with my seventy-five.” The storm seemed to ginger him up as after it he came back with a meritorious 36. Duncan had seven at the' fifteenth. In playing out from a bunker the ball jumped back and struck him on the arm, involving a penalty. Tolley played his typical game. He was occasionally magnificent and never monotonous. He brought off some amazing recoveries from trouble. Critics express the opinion that there never have been so many players capable of sustaining brilliance for four rounds in any previous Open Championship. Following are the first round leaders:— P. Alliss (Bril.) 69 L. Diege! (U.S.A.) 71 J. Barnes (U.S.A.) .. , 71 H. C. Jolly (Brit.) 72 Abe Mitchell (Brit.) 72 J. Farrell (U.S.A.) .. .. 72 Ed. Dudley (U.S.A.) ......... 72 T. Williamson (Brit.) 73 McD. Smith (U.S.A.) 73 G. Sarazen (U.S.A.) 73 R. A. Cruickshank (U.S.A.) .... 73 —Watkins (Brit.) 73 W. Mehlhorn (U.S.A.) .. ..... 74 A. Boomer (Brit.) 74 (’. J. Tolley (Brit. Amateur) .. 74 T. Armour (U.S.A.) 75 W. Hagen (U.S.A.) 75 Horton Smith (U.S.A.) 76 A. Compston (Brit.) 76 C. Whitcombe (Brit.) 77 R. Whitcombe (Brit.) 77 J. Weeds 77 G. Duncan (Brit.) 78 J. Ockenden (Brit.) 78 F. Robson (Brit.) 78 H. Cotton (Brit.) 79 J. Taylor (Brit.) 79 A. Havers (Brit.) 80 A. Massy (Brit.) 81 H. Vardon (Brit.) 82 Percy Alliss, who heads the list for the first round of the championship, is the wellknown British professional who some time, ago took up an appointment as professional to the Golf-und-Land Club, Wannsee, Berlin, Germany. Alliss won the German open championship in 1926, 1927 and 1928. He was fifth in the British open in 1925 and fourth in 1928. His 69 establishes a new record for the Muirfield course, beating by one stroke the round of 70 played by Leo Diegel in the second qualifying round on Tuesday. J. Barnes, who with Leo Diegel had a fine round of 71, won the British open at Prestwick in 1925. J. Farrell, at present American open champion, played a round of 72, showing that he has struck very nearly his best form. British golfers will be delighted to see so good a start by Abe Mitchell, who must have a great chance if he can avoid the breakdown that has so often occurred in his play in big events. Walter Hagen, the present holder of the title, is well down the list with a 75 but is within easy striking distance, and it is the capacity to score in the later rounds when ohers are “cracking” that wins championships. Horton Smith’s beginning will not please some of his ardent admirers in America, but, like Hagen, he is by no means out of the picture yet. The principal British “hopes” Archie Compston 76, Charles Whitcombe 77 and George Duncan 78 have all made their task difficult by losing two to four strokes too many on the first round, but they can recover if they can get down to 70 in the second round. Barring a miracle Arthur Havers, open champion in 1923, is out of the firing line. With an 80 to start with he cannot recover against the players at the head of the list. ' HAGEN’S RECORD ROUND. COURSE COMPLETED IN 67. (Rec. 1.5 a.m.) London, May 9. In the second round of the Open Golf Championship, Walter Hagen completed the course in 67—a course record.—Australian Press Association.—United Service.