FAILURE OF THE "BIG THREE” GOLFERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 August 1919, Page 3

FAILURE OF THE "BIG THREE” GOLFERS.

Those whohave been watching for evidence of the decline of the “big three” in golf may think that they have found it in the t.ournamen«t just decided on the links of the Glasgow Club at Killernion. Harry Vardfon was readily beaten in the first round by Jack White, who achieved a sensational championship victory alt Saxldwielr fifteen years ago. James Braid was de~ feated in the semi-final by George Duncan, and afterwards, in playing oif for third prize, went down beifore Edward Ray by eight up, and seven to pla.y in 36 holes. It must be manyoyears since Braid had to put up with such a bad beating‘. Then in the final, J. H. Taylor lost to Duncan by 6 and 5. Truly this was a grevious tournament for the triumvirate. But (to accept their expressions as proof of decline would be to do them an injustice-. Probably the exact" explanation is that after‘ their long absence from seiforrs competitive play their golf is not yet fully tuned up. They have not yet arrived at that stat-e,vo«f machine-like consistency which used to mark their play. The fact that each is within a. year or so of fifty may retard the recovery of form, but that it will probably be nearly complete we are likely to see a little later in the season.

That the first prize of £SO should have gone to Duncan was in every way satisfactory. His golf was the best of the meeting. His driving was splendidly long and controlled. In the final he outdistanced Taylor from twenty to as much -as sixty yards. Perhaps only Ray and Mitchell can beat him from the tee, and their advantage is only trifling. There was, also, the old touch of brilliance about Duncan’s golf_ In the semi-final against Braid, he had to make "certain of a half of the eighteenth to win, and he put his second shot into a bunker guarding the green. The lie in the sand was fairly good, but he played the stroke with superb judgment, and put th (ball by the hole side. That was the sort. of thing Duncan made a habit. of doing before ‘the war, and he has taken practically the first opportunity of showing that he is still capable of pulling out the big shot for the big occasion. .»‘. do not think there is any doubt that Duncan willisoon fulfil his highest ambition, a.nd Win the championship. As soon as that happens, I am fully prepared to see him take ‘the high rank which Vardon. has seld so long. He is the most talented of all“his professional brothers, and -o-nly his "‘tenl— inclination to be ‘depressed when things do not go the right way—~has Caused him to miss the honours. But don ’t llll.{‘.g‘lllC‘ that his -temperament is going to stop him always. i

Fine golfer as he is, Abe Mitchell is finding the way to success diflicullt. He was knocked out in the first round at G-lasgow, but aftcl'wal'ds Won 3. consolation stroke competition, boating V.al' don by one. Lfficfiell is going to .-'\nlol'ica early in July. not to setflc down there, though I should nol. be

surprised if he did so one day. The object of his trip is to play a. series of o.\"nibition x11:1f0‘nos 0:\"r011flinj.:: W." '- L4’: weolis. Anlcriczl. has heard 1:.

deal about fhe e:~:-ch.ampion’s great hitI ting powers, and much will be expected §:"'ronl him in this respect.’ But it has {been :1 common experience for English 3 ~,_ulaye:-s in the fagging he-af of America inf this time of the year. to find that [their shots lose distance. If fhis haphwens in fhe ease of Mitchell American §g*olfer.« may per}lap:< he disappointed, 1 ‘.m:‘ they "an he zl=sul'ed he does. hi? the ,3 115:]? 9 ‘rm-:7_\’ m'O«lig'iol'.S diS‘(:ln(?C. I