Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-27
SHOOTS z HOLES
IN TEN UNDER PAR
Collects 81, 500 for First Win
Since FIashy Play Two
Winters Ago.
BY PAUL MICKELSON,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

ut. PAUL, Mimi, July IL
Horton Smiths long, weary
~ golfing depression is over.
After almost a year and
half of futile campaigning, the
erstwhile Joplin Ghost finally
overlook his notorious jinX yes
terday by winning the $4,000 st.
Paul open championship on the
tide of a record par-shattering
score of 278 strokes for the r.
hole jaunt for gold and fame over
the Keller Club layout.
The brilliant score which he carded
with rounds of 69-69-67-73 carried
him ahead of brilliant field of par
smasherS and gave him the first prize
OF $500 by three shots over the de-
Tending champion and runner-up,
Lighthouse Harry" Cooper of Chicago.
There wasn't happier fellow in the
world of golf today than Smith. AS
soon as he pocketed his big money
prize he grinned broadly and remarked:
We'll, 1 guess 1 finally routed my
link. l doubt If any one ever felt like
/ did during this depression
It was Smiths first golting conquest
since the Orlando, Fla, open In the
Winter of 1880. When he captured that
one he was the wonder boy OF pro-
fessional golf. having galloped away
with IS ampionships during his VIM
ter campaign TO jump from the ranks OF
the also ran" golfers to the biggest
money winner of American golf, But
the link caught him there and held
him in his clutch until he capped his
stirring comeback yesterday.
Clipped Five From Par.
His ST. five shots under par. on his
third round yesterday pulled him out
of his famine Before he turned That
sizzler in ne vas tied for second place
and two shots from the lead When ne
posted it in the face OF a dangerous
wind that swept the course. he hurdleo
into a six-stroke lead and was never
threatened.
A record breaking 81 on the first
nine holes was the impetus that sent
him on his par-breaking journey. he
carded five straight brides on that
nine-hole stretch and breezed over the
backward nine with an easy par 50. III
the afternoon he played safe and sane
golf with 10 to win. although on tne
first hole of the final round his JlnX
almost caught up with him again. He
drove a ball which apparently hooked
out of bounds. followed through with
provisional ball that went clearly out OF
the lot and thought he had thrown
away his lead only to find his frst Tee
shot six inches inside
Smiths total clipped par for the t.
hole Journey by 10 shots. the best per-
Torrance yet turned in with that bal
loon ball, which. some golfers once salo'
couldn't be ridden under par flgures.
Cooper Consistent.
Coopers consistent par = bursting
rounds of 71-70-70-70 for 20l, one
shot higher than his winning total
wear ago wasn't good enough to WIN
but it pulled down second-place money
OF $4,000.
Walter Hagen of Detroit with rounds
of 72-72-7O-7O and George Won Elm
Los Angeles with cards of 69-69-74--
70 tied for third place and collected
$3.50 each with their 284 totals, while
Ed Dudley, Wilmington. Del, proteS--
sional, who shot a record-breaKlng 90
on his second round to take two-shot
lead at So holes, slumped on his final
two tours and had to be content with
fifth place and $500.
Other big money winners and their
scores were Joe Before, Duluth, Mimi,
7l-7l-71-74-287 good for $3.50;
Denny shute, Hudson Ohio, Ito
72-75-288. and Al Espinosa, Chicago,
with four par TBS, each total worth
$3.50.
The tournament, promoted by the st.
Paul Junior Chamber of Commerce,
was a great success in every way. al
though the field didn't give old man
par a chance from start to finish.