Brilliant Win ByLeft Hander CHARLES 8 BETTER THAN PALMER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 3

Brilliant Win ByLeft Hander CHARLES 8 BETTER THAN PALMER

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. The New Zealand left-hander, R. J. Charles, won the four-match Benson and Hedges challenge golf series from the American, A. Palmer, by eight strokes, at Auckland yesterday.

With a steady round of 71 —one over the card—at Middlemore, Charles brought his four-round total to 282. Palmer, three putting four times yesterday ended with a 75 and a four-round aggregate of 290.

Charles’s rounds were 66 (Balmacewen), 68 (Shirley), 77 (Miramar), and 71 (Middlemore); Palmer scored 72, 71, 72,

More than 6000 spectators jammed Middlemore in fine sunny weather and only the superb course control—far and away the best of the series—prevented any major

hold-ups. Both players were booked on late afternoon flights. Palmer to Australia, Charles to Christchurch. Charles could well have seen the series slip away from him —he had led from start to finish—had he not been in good putting form early on yesterday. He missed two greens in succession and was short with his chips, but each time he sank eight-foot putts to score his bogies. As for Palmer, it was a

round he will be keen to forget. “Wow, I can’t remember when I last had a round without a birdie in it,” Palmer said. “No birdies and four three putts. That’ll take a lot of living down. I have to do something about by putting. Bob did play very well. He is a great golfer, you know.” Charles said: “I am thrilled to have headed Arnold off in the four-match series. My form at Dunedin and Christchurch was my best for many months. “I slipped a bit at Miramar and never moved into top at Middlemore, but there was much satisfaction to be gained over-all. “It has been a great series. Now for Australia and the Open there, then the Canada Cup, and then back to New Zealand for the circuit—l’m looking forward to that.” Palmer hit 16 of the 18 greens and Charles hit 11. But whereas Charles took 31 putts, including five one-putt greens, Palmer had 39 oneputts and four three-putts being included in the total.

Off the tee, Palmer, because he used a driver most of the time, was ahead 13 times and Charles was in front twice.