The New York herald., 1921-05-31
MISS A. STIRLING
LOSES BY 3 And 2
American Goes Down Before
Miss Cecil Leitch in British
Golf Championship.
RAIN SWEEPS TURNBERRY
Yankee Champion Not Out
classed in Driving; British
Titleholder Wins on Greens.
ny BERNARD DARWIN.

special Gable to TIE New YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, by THE New YoRK HERALD.
TURNBERRY, Scotland, May 30.-The
great golf match has come and gone al.
too quickly in the very first round OF
the British women's championship and
our title holder has beaten yours. Miss
Cecil Leitch defeated Miss Alexa Stir
ling by score OF up and to play.
Miss Stirling had the support or several
American golfers who had motored up
from Hoylake to see the match.
Francis Ouimet. Dr.. Paul Hunter, Jr..
Bobby Jones' Fred Wright, Jr., and
Capt. W. c. Fownes all were there
wrapped up in waterproofs and COVER
ing under umbrellas.
Alas, the weather was vile It was
such contrast after the sun and the
stiffness at Hoylake There was
strong southwest wind and sheets OF
wind that utterly defed all protection.
Miss Strings caddy carried a big
towel on which she tried 10 dry her
hands. but everybody was half drowned
and Miss Strings hands looked rather
cold and blue toward the end OF It.
She endured it nobly. however, and never
gave in, although l imagine they never
have this sort OF weather in Georgia,
and l am very sure tkey don't play
golf in it.
On the whole, / think / must say
she was beaten by a stronger player
than herself. but there was very little
In it. Oddly enough, Miss Leitch won
mainly by her putting which is not the
strongest part of her game as rule.
Her holding out with a putter that
looked more like a driving iron was adj
5nirably steady. Her long putting was
not extraordinary. but the way she sank
five and six feet puts was beyond
praise.
Miss Stirling holed some good ones,
but she missed some she ought TO have
holed. and it was those puts that just
ettled 1t.
In driving there was really not much
In 1t when Miss Leitch really hit her
very best, and this was still more notice
able when at the long holes against the
wind she hit two wooden club shots to-
gether. She did gain appreciably. but
Miss Stirling kept her end up very well.
She never pressed or let herself be fur
ried, but she played on methodically,
comingfi through beautifully. Many of
her high pitching shots. too, were very
good, and no lady have seen plays
these shots with tho same obvious mas
terry.
No, it was the putting that did IL.
Then, in addition, Miss Stirling gave
away too good chances at the fifth hole.
Misses Leitch completely topped her drive
into bad place. This hole was possi-
Bile four, and sholld have at least been
an easy five, but Miss Stirling made
series OF small, but fatal. mistakes,
z.kisr ended in Miss Leitch saving her
" and getting a hard half in six.
Shen again at the tenth Miss Stirling
a the best OF 1t. but overran the green
-nto a bunker and actually lost the hole,
making two fatal mistakes. Although
Miss Stirling twice fought the enemy
down to one hole, Miss Leitch always
countered with great courage and spirit
and got the hole back. Miss Leitch
deserved to win, but Miss Stirling was
enormously popular with the crowd, and
7 believe that at least so per cent OF
those who saw the match would have
liked to see her win.
The other Americans, Miss Cummings.
Mrs. Barlow and Miss Hollins. all sur
vfved, and I believe Miss Cummings
played really well. Miss Hollins meets
Miss Leitch tomorrow morning, and
cannot help thinking she will meet her
Waterloo.