When golf pro Arnold Palmer unimpressed in Hong Kong with ‘pretty mediocre’ tee shots in 1964
In November 1964, the legendary American golfer teed off in an exhibition match at the Royal Hongkong Golf Club, but failed to impress
“Fresh from his recent success in the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship in England, which he won, and the Wills Tournament in Sydney where he tied for third place, Palmer is expected to give Hongkong sports enthusiasts a scintillating show on Sunday.
“Apart from the exhibition, he will appear as guest of honour at a cocktail party at the Hilton Hotel tomorrow and prior to his exhibition match will give a golf clinic at Fanling at 11am on Sunday. Intended spectators are advised that the men’s clubhouse will be opened to ladies during the match and that light refreshments and soft drinks will be available on the course.”
On November 2nd, 1964, the Post wrote that “Arnold Palmer shot a two under par 68 on the New Course at Fanling yesterday – on a course he had never played on before and with a set of clubs he had never used previously.
“Lu Liang-huan, the club professional who knows the layout better than the palm of his hand, returned a score square with the card, two shots behind the American in their exhibition match. The Chinese golfer played a lovely round.
“A comparison and analysis of the two scores gives a pretty clear picture of Palmer, rated the world’s greatest golfer.
“Palmer didn’t seem to play brilliant golf yesterday. His tee shots were pretty mediocre for a player of his calibre and the greens weren’t to his liking. But he never three-putted – and his short game was impeccable.
“Both players had par figures for the final two holes.”
