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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2242, 14 July 1908, Page 3

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the AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP.

United Tress Association. Copyright (Received July 13, 6.35 p.m.)

SYDNEY, July 13. The play in the championship was high classi Pearce, Duncan, and Soutar being frequently applauded by the large crowd which witnessed the final * °Pcarce had established a lead of seven strokes over Duncan on the first two rounds, but on tnc thud round he bro'kc down, leaving Duncan leading bv three. feoutar had been gradually lessening the. distance until lie liad but a deficit of five to make up. Pearce however, came in at the final .round ami equalled hm score of 7o 311 each ot the nifettwo rounds, and thus gained the cliam|J Sou fir throughout was wonderfully St Dmicau bad an experience similar to that of Pearce in the afternoon round, and could not do better than 85. Thus he had two capital rounds of 76 each, a moderate 81, and an 80. •A little more "ractice would have made a difference, for evidently he required more time to learn the \ course.

the AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP-

Unitud Press Association, Copyright (Received July 14, 12.20 a.m.)

SYDNEY, July 13. In the opening rounds ol the amateur golf championship, 36 holes, tlio play attracted a largo gathering, and provided some excellent contests, There were eight competitors: Scott (Victoria), tho prosont holder of tlio championship, l’oarso (Tasmania), O’Brien, the amateur champion or New South Wales. Duncan and Bidwell (Now Zealand), Hylaiul (South Australia), Simpson and Chnstio (New South Wales). Tho greatest interest centred round tlio fight between Scott and Duncan. At tho end of tho morning round Scott Jed by three up. A hard-fought round iii the afternoon resulted in Scott heating Dunenn by one at tho 37th hole. Bidwell led Simpson one up in tho morning, and ended by beating him by 3up and 2to play. Pearse, playing sterling golf, disposed of Hyland by ten up ami two to play. Christie beat O’Brien by 4 up and 3 to plnv. In the semi-finals to-morrow Bidwell meets Christie. (Received July 14, I.IC a.m.)

Tho Seott-Dunciin contest was remarkable for brilliant play, ami a most exciting finish. Scott was seven up at the 13th hole. Ho lost the next by a stroke. The loth liolo was squired in 5. Duncan won the 16th liolo. Roth players got together in the rough and Scott had the misfortune to tread on Duncan’s ball, and lost the hole. Duncan won the 18th hole. Starting the second round with three down, Duncan won the 4th and 6th, ’the others being halved. The gamo was squared at tho 6th hole, •and at the lath hole Duncan was two up and four to play. Scott missed the next. -Duncan was playing beautifully, and looked like winning. Scott again squared at the 15tli hole,' taking four and five to Duncan’s five and six. The tremendous strain was telling upon the New Zealander, who was playing with less- confidence. The 17th hole was halved. At the lasthole Duncan by brilliant play again squared the game amid cheering. Another hole had to bo played to enable Scott to win what ho described as tho stiffest 'match lie ever played in. In the Bidwell-Simpson contest, Simpson won tlio first six holes, but BidwolPSjy-filLO steady play gradually wore his oppor,:.nt down. [A writer in tho “Dbmiuion” recently stated: “It is the opiniofk’Oi* golfing exports in Sydney that Mr. Duncan, during his present trip to Australia, will beat all the local men comfortably, except tho Honorable Mr. Scott, the present golfing champion of Australia. Mr. Scgtt is an exceedingly fino player, and the contest between tho two is looked forward to with keen interest. If both men are playing at the top of their game tho contest should bo most exciting playthey are both' exceedingly fine .players*. Each has gone round the links at various times, putting up such fine scores that the margin between them would seem to be very narrow indeed. If either be -a little off his game, the other will win. Mr. Scott has the advantage that he has. played so often at the Sydney links, -and is thoroughly at home on them, whilst Mr. Duncan has only a short time in which to become acquainted with them. N 0 golfing match in Australia has ever before excited such keen and 6iich widespread interest.”]