OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1929, Page 5

OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

SCORES IN SECOND ROUND. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, May 7. In the open golf championship at Muirfield, second round scores were:— Tolley, 75, total 150; Havers, 72 —153; Hagen, 79 —154; Mellhorn, 76 —155. One hundred and nine qualified, with 162 er under, including all the American professionals, Tho leaders include: Diegel, second round 70, total 144; Cruickshank, 74—<147; Whitcombe, 77— 150; Duncan, 75—151; Von Elm, 78 — 151; Perkins (British amateur champion), 74 —152; Compston, 77 —152; Boomer, 78 —153; Cotton, 74 —153; Horton Smith, 76 —154; Jewell, 82 —154; Massey, 77 —155; Herd, 78 —157; Ockenden, 79 —157; C. Whitcombe, 7i—157; Ray, 78—158; Taylor, 81 —158; Caven, 81—158; Vardon, 77-162. Those who did not qualify include E. Whitcombe (the Ryder Cup player), Braid, Johns, Len Holland and Gadd. DIEGEL’S WONDERFUL RECORD. HIS INDIVIDUALISTIC METHODS. Received May 8, 7.15 p.m. London, May 7. At the golf tournament the outstanding feature of the second qualifying round was the American Diegel’g wonderful record in breaking a score of 70 on a course measuring nearly 7000 yards and studded with myriads of bunkers, and despite a strong wind. Diegel, who is the highest paid professional in the world, and who is making £6OOO per annum, has the most individualistic methods. He drives from an abnormally high peg, but nobody laughs when they see the result. He is the longest driver competing, and attains length by the dangerous expedient of turning the club face at the impact, getting the maximum draw. He can, conversely, deliberately make the ball fade. He has a remarkable putting stance. He takes off the glove worn for other shots and uses the wrists only, both elbows being pushed out from the body.

Diegel sefe himself a high standard. When he came in after the record, round in which he holed several long putts, he refused to play bridge, saying he must practice putting. It is recalled that he missed a short one at the 9th hole.

All the Americans qualified comfortably. Hagen took things as easily as if it was a practice round. He slipped upon a few putts. On behalf of the 'American Ryder Cup team he expressed the opinion that an American would win the championship. Nevertheless nobody has lost faith in a British victory with Duncan, Compston. C. Whitcombe and Mitchell playing convincingly, while the amateurs, Tolley and Perkins, have done unexpectedly well. Mathieson, the Oxford Blue, holed out a tee shot. at the short fourth (179 yards).