GOLF.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1921, Page 5

GOLF.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. AN AMERICAN LEADING. Telegraph.-—Press Association. London, June 21. Golf critics are agreed that the present is the most open and most. Interesting cnamD'onshlp owing to Its international character and the evenness in the quality of the topnotehers. The American representation numbers 19, the most formidable being Hutchins son and Hagen amongst the professionals, and Evans and Jones among the amateurs. France and Spain are represented to-day tn the field of 160, which played the first of the two qualifying rounds, half over the old course, over which the championship proper will be decided on l’hurs-< day and Friday, the other over the Eden course. Kirkwood scored the day’s best round on the Eden course. His score outwards was 39, including four s’s, four 4’s, and one 3. He was brilliant coming home with 34, including five 4’s and thrpe 3’s. There were fresh and unchangeable winds. The courses were fast and dry. Going out Kirkwood found the bunkers aeag the greens three times, recovering splendid-* ly, and twice laying the ball from the bunker dead. Since his arrival in Scotland he is a strong favorite with spectators owing to his ancestors hailing from Inverness. Kirkwood and East will go direct front Scotland to France to play in the Frenctt championships at Le Toquet on the 28th. and 29th. They will embark at Cherbourg fo| America, and after playing in the Amerianj championship will then go to Canada. The aggregates in the qualifying roundi thus far are; Hutchinson (America) 146, Kirkwood 149, Holland and Haven 150, MLtchs ell and Bobby Jones 152. In the first round of the golf championship other scores were: Butchart and Leach 76, Tom Williamson and Hutchinson 77, Braid and Galssiat (France) 78, Frank Bell, Alee Herd, Arnaud Massey (France) 79, Hagen, Paul Hunter (Americans) 80, W L. Bitchit 82, East (Australia), Evans (America) 8$ Lord Charles Hope 84, C. J. H. Tolley 85. ' THE SECOND STAGE. KIRKWOOD SURE TO QUALIFY. Received June 22, 11.20 p.m. London, In the second qualifying round on the old course, played in fine weather and a light wind, both Kirkwood and East did well. East having his best round to date. The scores are:— East.—Out: 4,4, 5,5, 4,5, 5, 3 4. In J 4, 4. 4,5, 4,3, 4,4, 4—75. Kirkwood.—Out: 5,4, 5,5, 4,5, 4, 3 5. In5,8, 4,5, 4,4, 3,4, 4—76. Kirkwood was somewhat patchy going out. He took three putts on two greens and found potholes twice. Coming home he was better, and holed a five yards’ i>utt at the sixteenth. Kirkwood, with 149, Is sure to qualU Additional qualifying aggregates are: Harry Vardou 147, Barnes (America) 148, Harry Duncan 151, Dr Hunter 153, Weathered, Massy 155, Hagen 167, East 168. KIRKWOOD SECOND FAVORITE. Received June 22, 10.45 p.m. London, June 21. East will probably qualify. Kirkwood is still attracting a large crowd when playing. He is second favorite to Mitchell.