Practice Putt Cost Him the Title

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 9, 4 October 1937, Page 11

Practice Putt Cost Him the Title

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DISQUALIFICATION OF MURRAY Sensation in N.Z. Open Golf Championship LEAD OF TWO STROKES

tBy .

HAMILTON, Last Night. A sensational sequel to Alex Murray's final round of 73, whichi gave him a lead of two strokes on tlie rest of the field, with an aggregate of 297 in the New Zealand open golf championship, was his disqualification by the tournament committee for making a practice putt on- the edge of the eighth greesn while Hornabrook was putting out. The- latter was round in 75, giving him an aggregate of 299. . , Hornabrook, Moss arid Shaw had to play off for the title. JDetails of tho breach of the rules which resulted in the sensational disqualificatiorf- of Murray show that when playing to the eighth green Hornabrook' s approach was too strong, and it went through the green. Murray, who had placed his approach a few feet from- the flag, had liited his ball and marked the spot as required under the rules governing tournament golf. H© then walked across to the edgq of the green, where there jvere a number of spectators. It was while Hornabrook was chipping back to the green that Murray dropped his ball and putted it along the edge of the green. His action was noticed by spectators, and

the fact that he had had „a practice putt was common talk by tlie time the players had reached the seventer-nth green. After the conclusion of the round the matter was reported to the committee, and it was only after a very long sitting that they decided to disqualify Murray. Murray's disqualification means that tlie open and professional ehampion of 3935 not only loses the open crown but, by reason of tlie fact that his fourth round score will not epuni,- he will not qualify for the professional title. The combination of events led up to one of the most exciting few hours yet tecorded at a New Zealand championship. With most of the players returned in the fourth and final round, Moss was leading with an aggregate of 299 while a little later the present holder, Shaw, came in with his aggregate also 299. Murray was partnered by ' Hornabrook, the present amateur title holder, and the pair, being last to get away, were eagerly awaited in the golf house as both had chances of capturing the title. Both players needed a score of 74 to win as at the end of three rounds their aggregates were level at 224. A large gallery followed these ' players and tho spectators were rewarded with an excellent display of golf but thoso in the club house, who had followed , earlier players, were on tenterhooks of excitement. Shortly after 5 o'clock a report came to hand that the pair were going well but that Murray had committcd some breach of the rule3 and was liable for disqualification. With all cards but these two in the winner of the open championship • was. still in doubt, Hornabrook came off the course with a 75, making him equal iu aggregate with Moss and Shaw, but Murray, playing brilliantly, went round in 73, this giving him a lead of two strokes on the field. His card was not put in, however, and a meeting of the St. Andrew's match comn*ttee was called, it being reported to them that Murray had played a practice putt . on the eighth green while Hornabrook was holing out. The meeting lasted for an hour and then it was announced that Murray had been disqualified under direction 267. of the Rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrew's. " It is stated by a spectator that at the eighth Murray picked up his ball after marking the spot Avith a coin to allow Hornabrook a cleaa ruu tlirough, but that in walking to the edge of the green he dropped his ball and jfiayed R putt with it on ihe green- 1