Evening star., 1936-06-03
PARKS, AS IN 1885,
|SA1OD-TO-1 SHOT
But Popular Open Golfing
Champs Game Also Is
Praised by Rivals.
BY BOB CAVAGNARO,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

- PRINGFIELD, N. j., June g.
They're going to stick the King
Of Clubs, Samuel Mclaughlin
~ Parks, jr., back in the deck to-
morrow and he doesn't expect to be
lost IN the shuttle before the last deal
Is made at sundown on Saturday
the finale Of the fortieth United States
open golf championship.
Parks is not the gambling type OF
player nor Is he the betting fraters
nitys choice. It was the same at his
native Oakmont course Q year ago,
whfsl he confounded the old guards
men of the pro ranks by shooting 299
to capture the open title-a 100-to-1
Naot come through. (
They called him the fuke champion
and to this very day point to his un-
impressive record through the Winter
and Spring tournament circuit, but
while they still hesitate to accept
him as one Of their own from a shot
making standpoint virtually every one
Of ~ 169 amateurs and pros in pur-
suit Of his title are for Parks, the
man.
Armour Likes his Game.
GONE Of them go even further than
that. Tommy Armour, one of the
craftiest of the oldsters, not only has
been captivated by Parks bland smile
and warm personality, but he's gone
for Parks the player and thinks high
ly Of the youthful Pittsburgh pros
chances in the championship.
Il was sitting with Emil Loefier,
the Oakmont pro, last June, when We
learned Sam had shot the first nine
Of the third round in 36," Armour re-
lated. 'Loeff1er told me Sam would
win the tournament. He's a fine boy
and q fine prospect. He may not re-
peat here, but you can paste it in
your hat he'll win the open again"
Parks was disinclined to discuss his
own chances. He's quite content again
to be rated a 100-to-1 shot. He fig
ures that will put the pressure on the
highly-regarded choices, Henry Picard
and Horton Smith.
Sure He Has Improved.
It's an annual custom to feel sorry
for the defender in an open cham
pionShip. Parks doesn't share this
grief, nor does he regard this as his
party. AS a matter Of fact, he feels
more fortified and better equipped
than he did q year ago.
Since his Oakmont triumph Parks
has firmed his wrists and is hitting
the ball more solidly. This has re-
suited in crisp iron shots.
Perhaps this change won't be ap.
parent in my play in the champion.
ship, but I know I'm playing much
better" said Sam. "It takes a certain
amount Of luck to win this title, and
all I'm asking for Is a fair share Of
the breaks.
my mental attitude Is set. II I do
not do well it will be because some
part Of my mechanism has failed.
I've learned a lot since last year. 7
know how to figure the air currents
and I've developed an ability to fade
my shots when 1t is necessary. was
decided hooker"
Record Held In Danger,
THE general impression here Is that
the record Of 286, created by
Charles Chick Evans, jr., in 1916,
and equaled by Gene Sarazen four
years ago, may be broken. Parks be-
heves the winning total will be one
stroke either side Of 288.
After all, If Parks fails to repeat
he'll merely join select group which
included Sarazen, Olin Dutra, Walter
Hagen. Bill Burke and others. Only
Willie Anderson, Johnny McDermott
and Bob Jones ever scored successive
victories.