The New York herald., 1922-03-24
KIRKWOOD SEEKING
GOLF HONORS HERE.
Loses Australian Title by De-
fault, but Hopes to Win
American Crown.
By KERR n. PErRIE.

BY KERR n. PETRIE.
When Joe Kirkwood tees up in the
United North and South open golf cham
pionship at Pinehurst the end OF next
week II will not be as the open title
holder of Australia. When Joe was over
In the United States last fall or IL may
have been while he was en- houte to
Sydney on the return trip, q lad by the
name OF lie F'eyre jumped IN and snapped
up the laurel wreath which the Antipo-
dean experts were struggling for in the
absence OF KirNwood. However. there
need be no argument over the position
the latter occupies in Ausralin. Joe is
no longer the champion, but before once
setting sail for America the last time
he took occasion TO demonstrate that he
still stands supreme among the profess
sional golfers, both home bred and for
eign born. on the links down under.
irkwood and lie Fevre engaged In a
seyenty-two hole match which stands as
an epic sof the game in that part Of the
world. Kirkwood won by up and to
play Considering the duration of the
contest such q result Is by no means a
reflection on the prowess of the new
champion Ii rather shows him in a
bright CLEAN Of the spotlight. for It has
twenty Of the leading tournaments In
England and Scotland Kirkwood aver
aged better than any OF the British stars.
KirISwood Finishes Match.
Playing the eighth in the fourth and
last round the rivals were oil square.
Here a topped tee shot lost LIE Fevre
the hole. Another top at the twelfth
put him two holes to the bad and a
fifteen foot putt by Kirkwood made Ia
three at the thirteenth. Le Fevre won
the fourteenth but was unable to stave
off defeat Kirkwood sank a twenty
five foot putt to finish the match at the
sixteenth.
lie Fevre is declared to be the longest
driver among the Australian golf pro-
fessionals. He obtains enormous length
with q beautiful rhythmical swing. 1t
will not be surprising to those in Amer
ica who know Kirkwood's game that
the new champion generally outh;t the
old titleholder with wood. Neither Will
those same followers of the game be at
all shocked to learn that Trick Shot
Joe usually outpiayed his opponent to
the green, thereby restoring the balance
or perhaps gaining a little advantage.
AS to tho run of the match kirltwood
was down at the third on the first
TOuHu. At lne tlRitil nc ldu lilt lidtCiL
ali even and he was leading by | up as
they started the second nine. Coming
home the l920-2l champion evidently had
II all his own way, for he finished the
first eighteen three holes to the good.
This and the subsequent play dis
closed something Of lie Fevre's worth.
for Kirkwood annexed the first two
holes in the afternon round, and there
fore led BY no less than ) up At the
4
of this advantage but one hole.
lie Fcyrc II Long Driver.
In the second thirty-six holes played
on a different course the driving of the
champion again scintillated. He squared
at the second hole and led by ] up al
the end Of the first round. kirkwood
probably owes his ultimate triumph to
his putting in that third round. for it is
on record that he holed several on very
fast greens from twenty 70 twenty-five
feet in length.
There seems to be no i'll feeling on the
part Of the Australian golfers against
Kirkwood for leaving them so soon.
Instead the best of wishes have been
extended to Joe. This speaks volumes
for the sportsmanshp Of the Antipodean
linxsmen. for IIirkwood very likely
would have been saved to his native
land FOR ever had X not been for the
generosity OF his admirers in raising a
fund wherewith 10 defray all expense of
the trip to the United States and Eng
land.
What is Australia : loss is America S
gain. Tirkwood. II y expected. will
settle down in this country, thereby
adding to the general gaiety at cham
pionship time. He will play in the ma
tionai open event at Skokie in July and
also in all probability III the metropoli-
tan open, which IL is thought viii be
awarded TO the Lido Links club of Long
Beach