Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
ONLY -FOUR LIKELY
TO SEEK LAURELS
Armour, Hagen, Sarazen and
Macdonald Smith De-
clare for Championship.
BY FRANCIS J. POWERS.

r OS ANGELES, January IA
Not many American golfers
- will seek the British Open
Championship at Carnoustie,
Scotland, next June, according to
the gossip of the professionals in
Southern CALIFORNIA; winter
tournaments. Among those quite
certain to make the invasion of
Britain are Tommy Armour,
Walter Hagen, Macdonald Smith
and perhaps Gene Sarazen. Others
may join the argosy when Spring
comes again, but right now few
of the professionals are showing
much enthusiasm for the trip.
Tommy Armour is especially keen for
another try at the British open. 1t is
the only major championship, for
which a professional may compete, to
elude his irons since he quit the anna
teur ranks six years ago. Armour has
won the United tSates national open,
the Professional Golfers Association,
Canadian, Western and Metropolitan
opens, in addition to flstful of minor
titles. Victory in the British would
give him a record equal to that of Wal
ter Hagen and second only to that OF
Bobby Jones.
Once Scotch Champion.
Furthermore, Armour would like to
win the British championship in Scot
land. Black Tom grew up in Edin-
burgh and learned his golf in the
- - w -
''braw gowfer." He was Scotch ANA
teur champion before coming to the
States and one of the best of the mod
ern Scottish players. Tommy's game
has improved tremendously since he
came to America and today he right
fully Is called the Iron master"
But Mac Smith wants that British
championship more than any man in
the world. CarnouStie is the home of
the Smith clan, and there never were
better golfers than those same Smiths
Willie, Aleck and Mac. To go home to
Carnoustie and win the British open
the first time 1t ever is played over the
famous Scottish links would ease many
Of the disappointmentS that have
overtaken Smith during his brilliant
career. Smith never has won q ma
tional championship. Once he had one
in his grasp ut PrestWick several years
ago, but the gallery, jubilant that
Scot was about to win the British open,
stampeded and Macs chances were lost
In the dust. So he will try again.
Hagen, too, will be Keen for the bat
tie. The old Duke has won four British
opens and a fifth would not be unwel-
come. Sir Walter has ambitions to win
the British several times again and
equal the record Of Harry Vardon and
take place along with that great star,
j. H. Taylor, and Jim Braid. Hagen
Always plays well in Britain, but he
never has played much better than he
Is today.
Through the fairways Hagen is hit
ting his shots more accurately than he
did in the days when he always had
championship of some sort hitched to
his belt. In his best years the Haig
was often wild from the tees, but his
marvellous recovery shots anchored the
ball to the green and an almost I'M
erring putter took care Of the rest.
Now Walter Is straight down the fair
ways and bold for the pin. but too often
his putter shutters. It's not like Hagen
to be an erratic putter, and once he
gets his touch adjusted he will be the
old Haig again. Sarazen is the sort
who will keep trying for the British
open until he wins it. Gene is playing
fine golf and should he go across his
chances Of winning at Carnoustie will
pe as good as the next fellows.
Sees U. S. Cup Winners.
Hagen thinks the United States will
recapture the Ryder Cup that was lost
to Great Britain at Moortown two years
ago, when the British and Americans
clash at Scioto, in Columbus, Ohio. in
July. With Hagen, Leo DiegeI, Johnny
Farrell, Gene Sarazen, Horton Smith
and Al Espinosa certaintieS on the team,
the United States will have the strong
est combination it ever sent against the
British, while the invaders can muster
no more strength than they had at
Moortown.
George Trautman, who is handling
the details of the international match
for the Columbus club, is endeavoring
10 make IL one of the outstanding golf
events of the year. Dignitaries from all
parts Of the country, including the Brit
iSh Ambassador to the United States,
have been invited to attend the matches
and the event will be given more the
atmosphere of a major sports contest
than just golf match between two
teams of professionals.
The Ryder matches always produce
some superb golf. and it Is the aim of
the P. G. A. TO build them up to the
point where they viii have real popu-
iarfty with the golf galleries of the