New-York tribune., 1922-03-26


change. and if some Homebrcd wins
the North and South championship at
Pinehurst, which starts in few DAYS.
their winter and early spring margin
will be impressive.
The first big test came at San Antonio,
where Bob Mcdonald, the tall Scot, and
Cyril Walker, the slender English born
finished second,
That was something of a Homebred
Jolt
The tide then turned promptly Over
at Shreveport, Leo Deigel, with a
miraculous 275, thirteen strokes under
even 4s, broke up the battle with lot
to spare.
Gene Sarazen followed by leading both
Barnes and Hutchison by many strokes
at New Orleans.
A short while later George Kerrigan,
another youngstcr won at Jacksonville
from a strong field and with this COM
pleted Walter Hagen stepped forward
again with a decisive victory at Ormond,
Hagen Again
Hagen rushed Homebred colors still
further to the front at Belleair last
week when he led a strong field by two
strokes, with Bob Mcdonald, George
and Alex Smith pressing close.
But George Mclean and Gene SaraZen
were also up IN the fold, only a notch
, or so behind
Barnes and Hutchison each put away
section of the California champion
ship, giving them a jump on the field,
composed in the main of Pacific. Coast
talent, with Eddie Loos the strongest
inland entry.
But if we check up the various winter
Southern tournaments between Texas
and Florida Houston, Shreveport,
New Orleans, Jacksonville, Ormond and
Belleair-siX in number, we find Home
breds predominating in five out Of six,
This is the most impressive Homebred
margin of many years. What is still
more important, no one man was re-
sponsble for the mop-up. Deigel, Sara
zen, Kerrigan and Hagen combined for
joint attack, and this means that if
Hagen happens to be a bit rickety in
spots this summer he can count on some
outside help.
The Next Test
Unless late defaults are reported, the
North and South open at Pinehurst late
this week will bring together one of
the great fields of the season, with
Barnes, Hutchinson and Hagen all in the
| hunt.
Hutchson bagged this prize last
March, and he has stated that he will
return to defend his crown,
Hagen and Barnes come up from
Florida, and in addition to this trio
there will be eight or ten others of top
rank, including Joe KirkWood, the bril-
liant Australian.
With Sarazen, Walker, the two Ker
rigans, Brady, Mcleod, Bob Mcdonald
and a strong outside field. the North
and South this season should be a bril-
liant curtain raiser to the summer cam
psign, which will shortly find Duncan,
Mitchell, Taylor and Herd tossed into
the merry festival.
Hagen is undoubtedly playing better
golf this spring than he was year ago.
His old confidence has returned and
his putting touch is no longer taking
lengthy holiday. In one round at Belle
air, for example, he had a seven on
simple drive and pitch hole, an easy
four, and yet paced on to seventy.
If any one man is to be favored above
the field at Pinehurst, Hagen will be
the pick, although Barnes and Hutchison
will be up on practically even terms in
the advance chatter.
The recent two weeks rest will make
a big improvement in Jim Barnes's
chance for a North and South victory
/ The tall and willowy Pelham pro was
pretty well tagged when he concluded
his recent 10000 mile ramble, with
! thirty-siX holes day on the schedule,
and this WEAKNESS affected his putting,
as weariness always does. In the same
way Jock Hutchison will be keener for
golf with fortnight's relief, so the next