Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-21
ALEC SMITH CAPTURES
THE OPEN GOLF TITLE
IN PIay-0ff of Triple Tie the
Veteran Beats MCDermott
by Four Strokes.

PHILADELPHIA, June 21-Alec
Smith, the genial professional of the
Wykagyl Country Club. won the ma
tional open golf championship for the
second time over the links of the Phila-
delphia Cricket Club yesterday. In the
play-off of the triple tie with his broth
er Mcdonald and J. J. McDermott. the
Merchantville home-bred. Alec reeled
off at II. McDermott got second money
with as, and Mcdonald Smith third.
with ~.
Alec Smith now holds no fewer than
three titles the other two being the
metropolitan open and the champion
ship of the Eastern Professional Golf
ers' Association, both of which he won
last summer. Because of his long and
brilliant record and greater experience,
Alec was always a favorite to defeat
his youthful opponents in the play-off.
and his golf was little short of bril-
liant
Prior to the start Alec contented
himself with dozen maShle shots Tor
practice, all so accurate that the cadd1e
at the receiving end never had to move
out of his tracks, just reaching out a
nand to pick up each ball
The Smiths played in flannel trousers
and outing shirts, out McDermOtt, de-
spite the excessive heat, remained
faithful to his khaki coat over white
trousers and silk shirt.
Had Big Gallery.
Hubert Jacques, president OF the United
states Golf Association. acted as chief
oIticial, and a big gallery followed the
layers.
The principals drew straws for the hon
Or on the first tee, Alec Smith winning
;...d getting of HE longest ball, fully 225
Yards. This opening effort was dupli-
,ated FREQUENTLY by the Wykagyi pro
IS the round progressed, and when all
tree balls were on the line Alec Sener-
ally had the greatest distance, while Nc
Acrmott usually had to play the ODD on
With his long and fast swing Mcdonald
Smith was easily the most spectacular
.cifer of the three, though he often be-
came cratic Both he and McDermott
areiy made the first green on their sec
..ds. while Alec's approach left him so
little to do that re got an easy T. the
Others taking ).
The Smiths had good drives from the
second tee, but the homebred Iul;ed into
tie rough and the mistake cost him a D.
,,ec got par !. but his brother. thanks
. to a fine approach. saved a strohe ana
cot down in ). Although young smith
had the best drive going to No. 3, an IN
different short game caused him 10 take
;, whereas the other two got As, McDer-
mott LAYING q maShie ShOt oedu
Close Up at Turn.
An overapproach to the trap beyond the
fourth green cost Alec Smith stroke, Sc
that he had to be content with ., the
others getting As. The strokes TO the
turn read: Alec Smith, 81; McDermott. IS
and Mcdonald Smith, Al.
At the short tenth hole McDermott
missed a ten-foot putt for 2. and II
married his last chance to overtake the
leader The younger Smith supplied the
excitement then, however, by running
down a long one from the green's edge
for >.
Mcdonald Smith had his hopes dashed
at the eleventh, where he got into trouble
trying to carry the bunker on his second
and finally ended chapter of misfortunes
by taking T. Alec had a fine and Nc
Dermott d
Thereafter Alec Smith always looked
like a winner. The younger Smith made
bold attempts to bring off long puts In an
.udeavor to overhaul McDermott, and.
falling in this, the Scot twice missed the
short ones coming back. The cards were
as follows: