Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer July 7, 1960 via Newspapers.com
De Vicenzo Shoots 67 To Lead British Open
Palmer Opens With 70; Sarazen Withdraws After 83
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, July 6 — Roberto De Vicenzo of Mexico mastered the chill and mist of the Old Course Wednesday to take the first‑round lead in the British Open with a six‑under‑par 67. Playing in the familiar haar — the dense North Sea fog that drifts across St. Andrews like a curtain — De Vicenzo posted nines of 32 and 35 to outdistance the field of 74.
Only two others broke 70: Fidel De Luca of Argentina and Kel Nagle of Australia, each returning 69. The rest of the field struggled with the shifting winds and the ghostly visibility that reduced the ancient town’s skyline to faint silhouettes.
Palmer Opens Strong in First British Appearance
Arnold Palmer, making his British Open debut and pursuing his bid for a grand slam, turned in a steady 70. Palmer said afterward that eight of his putts struck the cup but refused to fall, five of them on the outward nine. He missed only two greens — the fourth and the 13th — and delighted the gallery with a 316‑yard drive that reached the 12th green.
“I was in no real trouble,” Palmer said. “But it was edgy trying to judge those crosswinds and see through that soup. Dad and I agree I’m in perfect position.”
Two shots behind Palmer at 72 were defending champion Gary Player and four‑time winner Peter Thomson.
Sarazen Withdraws
Gene Sarazen, the 1932 champion and still a favorite among the galleries, struggled to an 83 and withdrew. Sarazen had led the American qualifiers earlier in the week with a remarkable 141.
Fog and Wind Challenge Field
The haar settled over St. Andrews shortly after 8 a.m., driven inland by a stiff northeast wind. By the time players reached the famed loop — holes 7 through 12 — the course was shrouded, and the city’s towers appeared only as faint outlines.
Despite the conditions, De Vicenzo played boldly. He said he had gained weight since arriving in Scotland and joked that perhaps this explained his long hitting. He reached the 554‑yard fifth hole with driver and three‑wood and nearly reached the 513‑yard 14th with driver and two‑iron.
De Luca scored five straight threes from the 11th through the 15th, while British amateur Joe Carr posted a 72 with five threes from the 8th through the 12th.
Player and Thomson Seek Improvement
Player, who three‑putted four times, said, “I played beautiful shots all around, but that putter — ugh.” Thomson called the day difficult and said he was not satisfied with his round, though he holed putts of 20 feet at the third and 10 feet at the 18th.
The championship continues Thursday, with 36 holes scheduled for Friday’s finish.
Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune July 7, 1960 via Newspapers.com