OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 14

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

BOLGER BEATS SARAZEN

AND RECORD

SVDXKY, October 14.' Leading the iield throughout, \V. BoJgcr won the open golf championship of Australia with a total of 'JS3. Leading scores were; — W. Bolger 09 72 71 71—253 G. Sarazen 74 73 (38 71-286 Spence 72 7U 11 74-2SS IJ. H. Kirkwood 73 73 7-5 70—291 ;r.L\ Naismith 77 74 73 7'_> —29U Kichardson 73 Ti 74 7.*i—•_'!)7 Ferrier- .-• 7(3 7G 74 73-21)0 Corry 74 73 74 78-299 Cohen 7(5 7(3 74 73—299 Eyre 77 73 75 75—300 Others included Gray, 78, 72, 71, 80—301; Yon Nida. 77, 74, 76, 75—302; Bettington, 79, 73, 76, 75—303; Kelly (the title-holder), 78, li, 7o", 77—300. Bolger played remarkably steady j final rounds, the outstanding feature being his accurate approaching. Sarazen reduced Bolger's lead by three in j tho third round, and, after a poor start in the final round, played amazing golf, securing an eagle and three birdies at j successive holes. .Ho needed birdies at the last two holes to beat Bolger, but was unequal to the task, taking three putts on each green. Sarazen's 68 is an official course record. Bolger's total of 283 is a record for the Australian open, beating Kirkwood's 290 in 1920. Kirkwood was erratic with his drives, pushing many into the rough, but played very steadily in the final round. Spence was a model of consistency, as illustrated by his scores. Ferrier's was the best score i of tho amateurs. Sarazen, paying a tribute to Bolger's performance, said: "I never expected to have to beat the record when I entered. Bolger and possibly Spence should be sent abroad for big contests." During Friday night vandals damaged five greens, cutting largo pieces of turf away and breaking flagsticks and tee-boxes. They also broke sprays and waterpipes. Tho damage was discovered in time for Teturflng, and play in the championship was . not delayed. Sarazen and Kirkwood at La Perouse today defeated C. Campbell and S. Eiehardson, 6 and 5.