GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 174, 14 July 1908, Page 2

GOLF.

AUSTRALIAN CUA.Ui'iO.S'MIUV. Received 13th, (i,.') 3 p.m. Sydney, July 13. there wns some hign-ciass play on I lie part of I'earco, Duncan and Soutar. ■they were frequently applauded by Hie large crowd wlio witnessed tlie limil rounds. i'caice had established a leau of beveu strokes over Duncan on the Inst two rounds, but on the third round he broke down, leaving Duncan leading by three. Soutar had been gradually losing Dickens till he had a deficit of live to make up. x'earcf, however, came up in the linal rouud ami equalled his score of 7o in each of the lirsl two rounds and gained in,- ,■„ pionship. Soutar throughout was wonderfully steady. Duncan had an experience similar to l'earce in the afternoon round and could not do better than B,">. Thus lie bad two rounds of 80, 81 and »o. a little more practice would have made a great deal of difference, for evidently Duncan required more time in which to learn the course.

SOME EXCELLENT CONTESTS. Received 14th, i 2,20 a.m. Sydney, July 13. TJIIO opening round of the amateur golf championship, 30 holes match, attracted a large gathering and provided some excellent contests. Here were eight competitors, viz., Scott (Victoria, tlie present holder), Pcarsc (Tasmania), O'Brien (amateur champion of New oSuth Wales), Duncan ana Bidwel)(New Zealand), llyland (South Australia), Simpson and Christie (New South Wales). Greatest interest centred round the light between Scott and Duncan. At the end of the morning round Scott led by three up. A hardfouglit round in tlie ailcruoon resulted in Scott beating Duncan by one at tlie 37th hole. Eidwell led Simpson one-up on the morning play and ended by beating Mm three-iip, two to play. 'Pcarsc, playing sterling golf, disposed of. Ifyland by ten-up, two to play Christie beat O'Brien Wur-up, three to play. In the semi-finals to-morrow Bidwell meets Christie. ' Received 14th, 1.10 a.m. Sydney, July 13.

In the ScoH-Duucan contest, there was some brilliant play, the finish being most exciting. Scott was scven-up at the 13th hole, and lo*t the next by .i stroke. The 15th was squared in live, Duncan won the llith. Both players got together in the rough. Scott had the misfortune to tread Duncan's ball and lost a hole. Duncan won the lSth. Scott started the second round with three down. Duncan won the 4th and

oth, the others being halved. The game was squared at the Cth. At tha 13th Duncan was two-up and four to play. Scott missed the next. Duncan, who was playing beautifully, lookeU like winning. Scott again squared at the loth, taking four and five to Duncan's five and six. The tremendous strain was telling upon the New inlander, who was playing with less confidence. The 17th hole was halved. At the last hole, Duncan, by brilliant play, again squared the game amid great cheering. Another Jiole had to be played to enable Jcott to win what he described was the stillest match he ever played in. In ■ tiie Bidwell - Simpson contest,

Simpson won the first six holes. Bidwell, by fine steady play, gradually wore his opponent down.