OPEN GOLF TITLE WON AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 October 1946, Page 5

OPEN GOLF TITLE WON AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT

WELL-MERITED SUCCESS IN N.S.W. Recd. 5.30 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 6. H. Pickworth, the 26-year-old assistant Manly professional, won the Australian open golf championship at Royal Sydney on Saturday with one over par. a total of 289 for the 72 holes. He finished two strokes ahead of the New South Wales amateur, A. N. Waterson, and four ahead of H. W. Hattersluey, another New South Wales amateur and the Victorian profesional champion, Martin Smith. Pick worth probably set a world record by winning an open championship at his first attempt. His win was both well merited and popular. Since his discharge from the Army last February he has suffered from attacks of malaria but practised every day, with the winning of the open as his goal. Six strokes behind the leader after the first round Pick worth’s next two rounds of 69—three under par—revealed his fighting qualities and golfing ability. He felt the strain in the final round, when he dropped four strokes to par. Waterson’s consistency is shown by his four rounds of 71, 73, 73, and 74 291.

Hattersley who tied for third place, played flawless golf for a fourth round score of 68. This equalled the record established by Gene Sarazen 12 years ago, but since then the course has been lengthened. The New Soutlj Wales amateur champion, K. Enderby, who led the field by two strokes after 36 holes did a disastrous 81 in the fourth round, and finished equal sixth. The national professional champion, E. Cremin, who also finished equal sixth, was another disappointment. The leading third and fourth round scores are:

H. Pickworth (N.S.W.) 69 76—289 A.N. Waterson (N.S.W.' 73 74—291 M. Smith (V.) . 71 74—293 Hattersley (N.S.W.) 73 68—293 P. Heard (N.S.W.) 75 71—297 K. Enderby (N.S.W.) 75 81—298 W. J. Bolger (N.S.W.) ... 77 74—298 K. Nagle (N.S..W) . 73 80—298 L. Kelly (N.S.W.) 75 74—298 E. J. Cremin (N.S.W.) ... 72 80-298