New-York tribune., 1899-07-07
nOUGLAS THE FAVORITE.
THE CHAMPION PLAYING IN BRILLIANT
FORM AT ONwENTSIA.
THE PRIZE NOW RESTS BETWEEN TWO
HOME BRED PLAYERS AND THE
TWO SCOTCH CRACKS

,onship is now a question OF home bred skill
seainst two of Scotands best amateurs In
Zach Of to-morrows matches an American
nlaver will be pitted against a foreigner. Travis
will meet Douglas and Hartman will play Mac
donald. and the survivors will meet on Satur-
dsy for the championship cup.
History is apparently repeating itself
wear ago the same men. with the exception Of
hartman. who was not entered. met in the
semi-fnals at Morrstown. Then Douglas de-
feated Travis by up and 10 play. while
Walter Smith, who had Harriman's place won
from Macdonald by up and 1 to play
Among the players here Douglas is a warm
favorte. Thus far he has shown none OF the
erratic form which characterized his game
earlier in the season Not only has his golf
been consistent an1 brilliant, but on two sepa-
rate occasions he has broken the record Of the
course once IN practice before the actual tourna-
rnent and again yesterday, when he vanquished
the crack Forgan. of the Onwentsia Club by 13
UP and II 10 play.
But Travs's friends will not hear Of this.
They point to the Lakewood tournament in the
spring when Douglas succumbed to the Oak
land man easily. and to the champion s
five subsequent defeats-by Brooks, Watson.
Dwight Bohen and jenkins 1t Is to he doubted
II any Of these players, however fine golfers
as they are. could duplicate their victories
against the champion he is playing
To put to-day's doings briefly. John Reid. jr..
Of Yale was beaten by Travis, Gardiner G. Hub
bard by Douglas. H. p Toler by Hartman and
J G. Thorp by Macdonald. This leaves three
Eastern players and one Westerner for to-mor-
rows semi-fnas.
PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS
The weather was perfect for golf-clear. mild
and cool with a subdued sunlight that did not
blind the eyes The turf. after its three days
soaking was crisp and fresh. and the newly
rolled putting green's looked keen and true as
glass Long before the time for the first pair
n start throngs Of gayly dressed spectators
began TO gather at the first tee. and the incom-
ing trains from Chicago brought crowds Of en-
tbusiastlc sightseers. Douglas was again the
centre Of interest, and his match with Hubbard
was followed by one Of the largest gatherings OF
the week.
The champion was far from perfect IN his
form. but his medal score better than that
~ Travis. and his game. though not brilliant,
was exceedingly we'll sustained throughout.
Hubbard. for the first nine holes Of the
match. outplayed the champion his drives being
in nearly every instance from twenty to forty
feet further. while his approaching was re-
rnarkable for accuracy. His putting, however.
was had. and this really cost him the game. for
several times he lost holes apparently his, by
overputting. This fault was apparent all day
and IN the afternoon. after Douglas had secured
strong lead. Hubbard's driving was also
moor Douglass work much better in the
afternoon. and he won finally by up ana 10
play.
HARRIMAN's PLAY GOOD THROUGHOUT.
As n who will be successful in the match be-
tween Macdonald and Hartman, opinion is
evenly divided Both played splendid golf to-
dav Macdonalds game was perhaps a SHADE
the better He negotiated the first nine noles
IN the afternoon in 50 but fell away somewhat
when he had his game apparently won. H1LiI. IT,
mans work. however, was so good tnroushou.
that the game tomorrow will probably attract
one Of the largest galleries Of the week, and the
result may not be decided until the fuIi thlrty-
SIX holes have been negotiated Inc game pc
tween Macdonald and ThOrp was at times sen
sational Time after time both holed In puts or
twenty feet and over. After considerable see
saving. Macdonald took the lead at the Inn sllI-
-eenth hole and thereafter held II. The after-
noon play OF both was almost perfect. Dogey
being beaten the fifth. sixth seventh ana
ninth holes.
Toler was won by Hartman, mainly through ms
superior driving and putting. Toler did spieh-
did work on the first seven holes, oelng . uP
at that time but Hartman pulled UP on even
terms with him before the course had been coy
ered and in the afternoon won almost as ne
pleased. outplaying Toler in every way.
John Reid jr., the intercollegiate champion
after finishing l up in the mornings play
was defeated by Travis up ana 10 pray.
Reid at one time was up, but lost hve hGIes
In succession principally through poor IRON pay
and the game was decided at the thirty-hfth
hole " - -. Ao--o
The display Of fireworks, which was 70 nave
hen mart Of the programme for the Fourth was
given tonight on the green in front OF the CLUB
house a number Of immense set pieces pelhs
shown A concert by the Mexican oano from
Fort Sheridan followed
The results Of to-days play were as folloWs:
John Reid. jr. VS.. w. J. Travis: