Golf Sensation

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 341, 30 April 1928, Page 9

Golf Sensation

HAGEN BEATEN 18 AND 17 BRITISH PROFESSIONAL’S FEAT (United. P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian P.A. —United Service) Reed. noon. LONDON, Sunday. In a professional golf match over 76 holes between A. E. Compston, England, and Walter Hagen, of America, the former led 14 up on the first day’s play. The winner’s driving was tremendous. He was often 50 yards ahead of his opponent and was only once off the fairway. Compston in brilliant sunshine achieved a record victory by 18 up and 17 to play. The morning round settled. the issue, Compston adding four holes to his overnight lead, thus ending the morning round dormy 18. A half at the first hole in the aftif noon ended the contest, which Abe Mitchell described as the greatest event in British golf history. Compston today continued playing superlative golf, and Hagen was able to win only a single hole. The details as to how the match eventuated have not been received in New Zealand, but it is usual to stage some big match like this when the American visitors are over for the British open. Both Hagen and Compston have indulged in these big matches. Hagen defeated Abe Mitchell 2 and 1 in a 72hole match in 1926 for £I,OOO, and Comp ston fell to Mitchell the year before for £4OO. the result being 9 and S, both Mitchell and Compston being British professionals. Among other things Hagen won (he American open in 1914 and 1919, the French title in 1920, and the British title in 1922 and 1924. He has also represented America against Britain twice.

Compston tied for second place in the British open in 1925, and in the same year was second in the French open.