THE RYDER CUP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 166, 31 July 1937, Page 16

THE RYDER CUP

AMERICANS' VICTORY THEIR DEADLY PUTITNG

For the first time the British golf professionals were beaten by their Americaii rivals in England, allowing them to take the Ryder Cup home. It was, too, a bad beating, only three of the 12 matches being won — one foursome and two singles. Two other matches were halved. The result was terribly disappointing, and it was mainly brought about in the o'ld mantfier — by the dealiness of the Americans on the greens. They, were vastly superior in holing out, and also in getting down to two from off the green. A striking instance of S. L. King and Densmore Shute. - At the start King played the first five holes in 18, and yet was only 2 up. Indeed, he reached the turn in 34, which was three -under the par of the course, and was only all square. The explanation was that the American three times saved himself by holing putts from 6yds. to 12yds., and in addition ran down a chip shot. This was the single whidh was halved, and the result reflected the highest credit on King, who was as many as four down at the fifth hole- of the second round. But he never abandoned hope, and made a sensational recovery to square the match on the last green ny bravely holing a 2yd. putt. There were no excuses for the British team. Once more the idea that the Americans cannot play in a wind was exploded. Similarly the belief that they are weak in foursome play was proved false. It is true that at home they are accustomed to fourball matches, but they show just as much resource in a partnership with one ball. On the first day the weather at Southport, where the match was played, was boisterous, and this sh'ould undoubtedly have been in favour of the homJ side, but, as I have stated, they won only one event. This was •the one in which Percy Alliss and R. Burton defeated H. G. Pickard and J. Revolta. - The result of the foursomes meant that the Americans had to win only three singles to %e sure of retaining the cup, and hence they were in a strong position. I have told how King gallantly saved his match, and the two winners were Henry Cotton and D. J. Rees. Cotton, who, in the belief of most golfers, is the best player in the world, gained a fairly easy win at the expense of Tony Manero by five and three, while Rees accounted for Byron Nelson by three and one. Some of the other British players were "good losers," but that is the best that can be said for them.