New-York tribune., 1916-06-25
By GRANTLAND RICE.

~
There are any number of interesting
details. possibilities, probabilities or
sidelights to be considered in connec-
tion with the open golf championship
at Minnikahda, Minneapolis.
There are the cases. for one example,
Of Macdonald Smith and Gilbert Mich
oils. These are two Of the most brill
liant golfers that ever lifted a divot
on American soil, yet neither has ever
finished first in an open championship
with the United States Golf Association
title at stake. Il is queer turn that
two such golfers, golfers who have
played with such amazing ability, under
tests almost as trying, have never yet
been able to break through. Nichols
won the metropolitan open at Engle-
wood from a fine field, including Jack
McDermott at his best. with a brilliant
series OF rounds that ended with
record breaking Sc.
Mac Smith, a younger brother Of the
dedoubtable Alex, smashed all cham
pionship records at Scarsdale two
years ago, when his four rounds aver
aged below 20. It would be hard to
find two greater golfers anywhere, yet
the one title both Lave fought for
hardest. has been denied.
Mac and Gil.
II has so happened that neither Mac
Smith or Gil Nichols has been able 70
reach the United States Coli Associa-
tion open at the top Of his game
Either is more than capable of winning
but the field here is Of such high cali
bre that no golfer slightly below his
best form has chance. Only those
moving at top speed have look IN.
And only those who are putting well
have much of chance. II luck fails on
the greens where they won't go down
there is no great hope for even the
star.
The Amateur Chance.
The odds this coming week are now
against the amateur rulership that
has harassed the pros for some sea-
sons.
In the last three years two amateurs
have finished first and another has fin
ished second. ,o
Ouimet won at Brookline in 1913:
Evans was one stroke behind in second
place at Midlothian in 1914, and Tray
ers won By one stroke at Baltusrol IN
1915.
Travers will not defend his title this
wear. and il isn't likely that the ANA
teurs will have any great chance OF
unfolding their fast clip unless Cnlch
Evans happens to be at his best. Chick
is ALWAYS a formidable entry in medal
competition. and it may be that he can
carry on the amateur propaganda.
The Home Bred Defence
II has been six years now since for
eign born professional has won the lead.
ing open feature of this well bunkered
land. Alex Smith struck the last bio"
for Scotia's fame in 1910.
So the Foreign Legion will make an
extra effort at Minnikahda 70 oring
return TO the old days when the home
breds were yearly rolled back down the
hill.
They have striking troop to enter
with Gil Nichols. Mac Smith. jim
Barnes. Louis Teller, Bob Mcdonald,
George Sargent, Bob Simpson. JOCK
Hutchinson and number of other no
tables. ANY one of these IS likely 20
strip a elm below 70 and hold this pace
10 the 72d hole. The home breds also
have a formidable arrav 70 enter, at
tached unto a pronounced Irish accent.
There are Tommy Mcnamara, Mike
Rradv. Kerrigan. Walter Hagan, Jack
Bowling. George Mclean and the ANA
teur entry list.
Picking the Winner.
As for picking the winner since Alex
Smith and J. J. McDermott abdicated
their thrones well, how many were
picking Francis Ouimet 10 win IN 1913
How many on the inside were tipping
Walter Hagen for the lsI4 crown
How many thought Jerry Travers had
chance last June at Baltusrol' when
medal play had never been his strong
est feature?
Picking the winner is a genial oc-
cupation, but 1t doesn't get any one
very far.
In the British open the choice comes
down 70 three men-Vardon. Taylor
and Braid. Among them they have won 4
sixteen out of the last twenty-five
championships. They outclass the field
so far there is no one 10 be considered, /
except possibly George Duncan. who
has the brilliancv but not the steadi-
ness 70 fight of this trio.
But in America there is no such
limited choice Most OF the pros upon
this side OF the water are too busily
engaged in teaching the young and old /
idea how 20 shoot TO have enough time /
TO devote 10 practice or TO competitive I
play. Hence, while they have all their /
shots. their games lack the steadiness
under fire that only comes through con-
stant competition. So no one can re-