New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-08

Walter Hagens crown.
The chances of Hagen. of course. are,
liked as we'll as those Of anybody else.
But the champion, to keep his laurels
this year, will have to play the game
of his life. OF this there isn't the
slightest doubt. What with the pick Of
this country and several OF Rritain's
best on hand in search of the prize
Hagen's task becomes ono that will try
his nerve and skill to the utmost.
The tournament next week promises
wonderful, merry whirl. the best ever
he'd. Thousands of links followers
feel this way about the matter. for they
IRE coming by the carload and already
accommo datlons are overtaNed
II is Gel tain the largest gallery or
galleries that ever trailed the contes-
tants IN the national open event here
Will begin the march Tuesday, That
means the number Will probably exceed
$4,000 and the fellow who is out in
front on the final round viii in all like
hhood have to make his shots before
between and around q crowd OF many
more than the above figures.
Evans Belatcd Entrant
But 10 get back to a discussion Of
the competitors-as has been stated,
the largest field that ever tecd-otf in
this tourney. The late entry of
Charles "Chick" Evans, Of Chicago. for
mer title-hoder. who has been playing.
in oldtime form this season. brings
the total number Of players 10 1919 Of
that number there are at least a score
or more who have nearly an equal
chance of winning the event.
The tournament will start Tuesday
morning over the course Of the lNver-
ness Club, which is in wonderful con
dltion. The players viii travel over
eighteen holes on Tuesday and Wednes~
day, and then the sixty-four having
the best scores viii start on the ma.n
test. beginning Thursday morning. The
fellow who has used the least number
OF strokes 10 cover the remaining
seventy two holes (thirty-sex each Gay4,
will be crowned open golf champion
of America for 1920. Qualifying scores
Will not be counted in the final reckon
ing.
Personally we favor the aggressive
Hagen TO come through AGAIN The
brilliant Detroit player, after his dis
appointing showing in the British
open meet in June, has come back to
his real form and apparently is at the
top of his game, as was shown in the
recent metropolitan open tourney,
where he came from behind and won
out.
Hagen is at his best when the com
petition is keenest and when the prize
at stake means something more than a
handful of coins. He is sure to re-
ceive plenty of opposition and the
American title means more to him
than any other. SO that in this melee
1T isn't likely the titleholder will loaf
on any part Of the road
Champion Faces Real Task
But if the stout-hearted golfer from
the city of flivvers does come through
again he Will certainly know that he
tion will be the toughest he has ever
encountered since he won the cham
plonshlQ, excepting possibly in the Brit
!sh open, and Will mean that he can
not afford to make many mistakes.
For one thing the danger of a for
elgner carrying away the spois is as
great this year as, if not greater than,
II ever was before in this event. Big
Ted Ray and Harry Warden, that Won
derful veteran golhng pair who were
Just nosed out in 1918 by the remark
able performance of the Boston star.
Francis Ouimet, are here on their sec
ond American tour and are going to
take another crack at the chief golf
prize of the United States.
Hagen admits he fears the brilliant
and colorful Ray more than any other
entrant. This Enelishman, who seems
to be absolutely devoid Of anything
like nerves, Will be up with the lead
ers all the way, and the only way
Hagen or any other home bred is 60
ing to beat him out is by shooting bet
ter golf which means par, at least
all the way
And the veteran Vardon also is much
to be feared. He can be counted on
TO have an average score of par He
isn't as likely to knock any records
skyhigh as his heavier countrvman and
partner. but he is far steadier. and he
also does not know what it is to be af-
iected with case of nerves
Foreigners Have Chance
These two, although the most for
m ldable Of the foreigners. are not the
only ones likely to overthrow the pres
cnt king. The Ayton brothers, Laurie
ana George, particularly the former.
are players OF the first rank and will
bear considerable watching.
Long Jim Barnes, of the Sunset Hills
CLUB of st. Louis who has been Hagcn's
chief rival for the last few years, is
sure to be right at the heels of the
pacemaker. Just why Barnes has never
quite succeeded in capturing any of
the main prizes is mystifying. He has
eli OF the shots needed to become a
champion (the pros. here say he is
the best SHOEMAKER we have), so we
conclude he does not possess the prop
or temperament needed to lead the
pack. However, his trip abroad this
spring undoubtedly did him a world
81 good, and he is certain to make a
hHrder fight of it next week than he
has ever made in any other competi-
Ion.
There is host Of others who are apt
- breeze in when least expected Jock
liutchlson, who has just come over
from Chicago. where he won the West
.ern open title from crack field. is
hardy links warrior He played
great golf to win early in the week,
and he is apt to repeat here.
Harry Hampton has been going we'll
this spring, and has finished in the
money in both the Metropolitan and
Western events.
j. Douglas Edgar. who was taught
his game by Harry Vardon and is
pushing his way to the front in this
country, is another who is likely to up
set the dope ii said dope doesn't point
him ont as haipo ho u,,ppar INl.xo.