Courtesy of The London Evening Standard July 7, 1960 via Newspapers.com
De Vicenzo Holds British Open Lead With Second Straight 67
Nagle Two Strokes Back; Palmer Seven Behind After 71
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, July 7 — Roberto De Vicenzo of Mexico strengthened his command of the British Open today with a second consecutive 67, giving him a 36‑hole total of 134 and a two‑stroke margin over Australia’s Kel Nagle as the field was reduced to 48 players for Friday’s decisive double round.
Nagle, adding a 67 to his opening 69, stands at 136. Seven shots behind De Vicenzo at 141 is Arnold Palmer, tied with Peter Thomson of Australia and Sebastian Miguel of Spain. Palmer, who opened with 70, returned a 71 in the second round.
Palmer Faces Uphill Climb
Palmer, winner of the Masters and U.S. Open earlier this year, again found the Old Course’s famed Road Hole troublesome. For the second straight day he three‑putted the 17th, missing from long range and then failing on the shorter return. He also missed a short putt at the fifth.
Palmer struck 17 greens in regulation, caught two bunkers, and avoided the rough entirely, but his putter continued to betray him. He one‑putted only three greens and had two three‑putts. Still, he remained optimistic, recalling his dramatic comebacks in both American majors.
Crowds Cheer Leaders
A gallery of roughly 10,000 followed De Vicenzo and Nagle through the misty afternoon. De Vicenzo, father of two, joked that he had gained weight since arriving in Scotland and credited his long hitting to hearty eating. Nagle, 39, father of four, continued his steady play and remained the closest challenger.
Defending champion Gary Player, at 143, struggled again with his putting, needing 72 putts over the first two rounds. He remained confident that his touch would return by Friday.
Miguel’s 68 and Thomson’s 67 moved them into the tie with Palmer at 141.
Cut Set at 149
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club set the cut at 149, allowing 48 players to advance to Friday’s final 36 holes. With De Vicenzo holding a commanding lead and Nagle close behind, the question for Friday is whether Palmer can summon another of his late surges.
Play resumes Friday morning.
Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune July 8, 1960 via Newspapers.com