Courtesy of The New York Daily News July 9, 1960 via Newspapers.com
Nagle Leads British Open After 54 Holes; Final Round Delayed by Rain
Palmer Shoots 70, Four Strokes Back; De Vicenzo Slips to 75
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland, July 8 — Heavy rain swept across the Old Course this afternoon, flooding bunkers and sending the Swilken Burn nearly over its banks, forcing officials to postpone the final round of the British Open until Saturday. Before play was halted, the leading contenders completed their third rounds, leaving Australia’s Kel Nagle atop the field with a 54‑hole total of 207.
Nagle, 39, returned a steady 71, one under par for the 6,545‑yard layout. Roberto De Vicenzo, who had led after two rounds with brilliant 67s, faltered to a 75 and now trails Nagle by two strokes.
Arnold Palmer, seeking the third leg of a grand slam, posted a 70 for a three‑round total of 211, four shots behind the leader. Palmer is tied with Syd Scott, who earlier in the day recorded a 67.
Rain Halts Play
The final round, scheduled for Friday afternoon, was officially postponed at 2:30 p.m. Brigadier Eric Brickman of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club announced the decision after a sudden downpour flooded the Valley of Sin and filled several bunkers, including Principal’s Nose, Ginger Beer, Lion’s Mouth, Pulpit, Deacon Syme, Hole O’Cross, and Hell.
Nine pairs had already begun their rounds when play was stopped.
Palmer’s Charge Interrupted
Palmer began the day with promise, turning in 34 despite intermittent showers. His gallery sensed another of his trademark surges when he birdied the 13th and 14th holes. At the 13th, he struck a perfect drive, followed with a crisp seven‑iron, and holed a 15‑footer. At the 14th, he avoided the treacherous Hell bunker, reached the green in two, and holed from nine feet.
But the Road Hole again proved costly. After consulting his caddie, Tip Anderson, Palmer played a five‑iron that finished short on the lower apron of the green. He needed three putts from there. At the home hole, a wedge left him in the Valley of Sin, and he again took three strokes to get down.
Palmer hit 17 greens in regulation, found two bunkers, and avoided the rough entirely, but his putter continued to trouble him.
Nagle Steady; De Vicenzo Stumbles
Nagle birdied the third and fifth with 10‑foot putts, added another at the 10th, and survived a three‑putt at the 12th. He visited Hell bunker at the 14th and made six, yet still gained a stroke on De Vicenzo. His finest moment came at the Road Hole, where he holed a 35‑footer.
De Vicenzo missed short chances at the first and fifth, three‑putted the 10th, and drove out of bounds at the 14th, taking seven.
Player and Others
Defending champion Gary Player reached three under par through 11 holes but three‑putted the 11th and took five at the 18th for a 72, leaving him at 215.
The postponement marks the first delay of a British Open round since the 1910 jubilee tournament, also at St. Andrews.
Play will resume Saturday morning.
Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune July 9, 1960 via Newspapers.com