The Washington herald., 1922-06-19
BARNES AND HAGEN
U. 5. FAVORITE IN
BRITISH GOLF PLAY
Hilton Has No Confidence
In Hutchison- Duncan
Holds English Hopes.
By HAROLD HILTON.

SANDWICH. Eng. June Is-Jock
Hutchinson took our championship
cup away TO your land last season
and ] must acknowledge that we
were not altogether prepared for
the theft, as We had an idea that
British golf was sufficiently strong
to keep q grip on IT, Our home pro-
fessionals were quite convinced that
IL was not any way likely that the
british cup would leave these shores
But they proved sadly In error.
This year they appear quite pre-
pared to see Il fitting overseas
again and perhaps the public is
even more prepared TO wage even
money that a home player doesn't
win. In other words, they are pre-
pared to trust their money on the
overseas players who include your
three boys. Jock Hutchison. Jim
Barnes and Walter Hagen the Aus
tralian star. Joe Kirkwood. and sew
eral continental players. This plain
ly shows the wholesome respect
England has for the golhng abili-
ties of Hutchison. Barnes and Hs-
gen.
Americans Favor Hagen.
II you happen to meet an Ameri-
can here and ask which of your men
has the best chance he will reply.
three times out OF four. Walter
Hagen"
A majority appear quite convinced
that he will be fhe star performer
of your group. This is. however. an
IL - l.
critics on this side and on evidence
OF his play the last two seasons on
British links. there is Justification
for this lack of endorsement as Ha-
gems form has not been as convinc-
ing as that Of either Hutchison or
Barnes. the present American open
champion. But on the other hand
we recognize that American critics
must have a very sound foundation
for their belief in Hagen. Ono
American Judge put Hagen's case &C.
me thus: walters the best player
We have, to be sure. and once r."
gets the lead it's darned hard fer
the others to get him out"
Sea Course Affects.
There is an impression over here
that Hagen will suffer by compari-
other golfers from the States, in
that he learned the game on in
land courses. To Americans this
may not appear to be a very seri-
Gus handicap. but IL is a sure fact
that the championship was never
yet won except by a golfer whose
game was bred and born on
seaside course. OF the present-day
1ronLarsazk. Asge1hnn
are the outstanding figures among
those who learned the rudimentS
OF the game on inland soil. Mitch
ell has been very successful, it Is
true, but IL IN a fact that prac-
tically all Of his greatest achieve
ments were accomplished on inland
courses and that he has not ap-
, peared to such great advantage
when playing on a seaside course.
This may be purely coincidence, but
there IL is
Critics on this side will suggest
that IL there is strong wind
blowing at Sandwich during the
next four days OF the tournament
IL will affect your PLAYERS. and
! have seen of American players
NnAo uou dANOkCNueA
agree whit this verdict.
Picks Duncan
saw Johnny Ma.Dermott play
ing at Holyoke in the worst wealth
er We have ever encountered in a
championship tournament and the
Britishers had nothing on Johnny
that day. In truth. he was one Of
the very few who were not alto
gether buffeted to pieces by the
elements. II an American Is to
win once again, there is an i'm
preston among the home critics
that II will probably be Jim Barnes.
as we all have great admiration for
Long Jim's ability, and his play for
seven-eighths of the long journey
last year was most impressive.
For some reason or other. Hutch
ison is not expected to repeat last
years success. People say that
Jock without his ribbed clubs won't
be the same player he vas with
them. and they did certainly seem
TO help him through to victory al
st. Andrews.
Momentarily the favorites are
Duncan. Kirkwooc, Barnes. Hagen
Ray and Mitchell. but faith in
Mitchell is not ever strong. az he
seems to have struck a bad patch
George Duncan is looked upon a.
our great mainstay.