New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-13
Diegel Playing
Fine Golf for
National Title
Aggressive Chicagoan, For
mer Caddy, Most Colorful
Competitor at Inverness
BY Ray Mccarthy

TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 12.-Had it not
been for one bad hole Leo Diegel, the
aggressive youngster Of the Lake
Shore Club of Chicago, would now be
leading the field in the scramble for
the national open golf title. On his
afternoon round the blond-haired youth
TOOK seven on the long twelfth,
when, If he had made par five.
ne would have had ii total score of 144,
one stroke better than Jock Hutchin-
sons. Otherwise Diegel's game was
fawless on both trips, and he appears
more formidable than ever before to
the other five leaders.
On that twelfth hole Diegel found a
trap on his second shot. From there
he played over the green, and finally
got on In four. But then he took four
puts, giving him a score of "a for the
afternoon. In the morning he went
around al: IN par ", hewing to the main
line all the way and making good most
Of his puts.
With the possible exception of the
national champion himself, from whom
ne learned most of his game at Detroit
while caddying, Deigel is the most COL
orful chap of those competing here.
Nobody works harder for his score than
the hustling, busting little Leo no.
pody Is more enthusiastic over the
game, nor more energetic in playing
1T. When Diegel finished on the eight
teenth hole this afternoon the perspi-
ration was dropping from his shirt his
hat was off and his hair was mussed'
But he was smiling as usual as he
walked to tic clubhouse.
Dlegel is little bundle Of nerves,
yet his nervous system is not Of the
kind that handicaps his game. Not
even Hagen himself possesses more
confidence than the Lake Shore player.
Deigel goes about his work always in
that hustling,. nervous manner which
makes him the center of attraction
wherever the happens to be. But it is
on the greens that he works the hard
est No champion of African golf ever
snapped out his sevens and elevens
harder nor more forcefully than Del
gel snaps in his puts
Go down, baby" is his favorite ex-
preston, and the crowd gets more
enjoyment watching him make his puts
than it does even in watching Ted Ray
hit them on the nose. Occasionally he
falls to one knee If the ball hesitates
about dropping in. And all the while
in hand he is whstling or chattering
to himself.
Diegel is as game as they come and
is highly regarded by all the pros"
If Hagen should fall down tomorrow
the home-breds will not be out of it by
any means for Diegel is quite apt to
come through. In fact the others will
have to shoot their best to keep him
from winning the title.
Eddie Loos, who used to caddie at
Van Cortlandt Park few years ago
and who is now located at the Ravisloe
Club, in Chicago, is sticking right with
the favorites, having 149 for the two
rounds. He had a splendid chance for
70 on the afternoon round, but
spoiled it by missing several easy
puts. Loos and Diegel are great
rivals. They are both about the same
age-twenty-three.
Douglas Edgar started off in grand
style, with q 10, but blew in the after
noon round, taking an SO. He is vir-
tually out Of it now. Laurie Ayton, he
Scottish star who was favored by many,
will have to shoot some wonderful golf
tomorrow to win, as his total is now
1853.