The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-24
.SHUTE 30 TO i CHOICE TO KEEP .P.G.A. GOLF TITLE
High Class Field Prevents Selection of FavOrite;
 Winner on Ryder Team
By HENRY McLEMORE

United Press Stan COrrespOndent)
 Pittsburgh, May 24--(UP)--Five score and sixteen players, any of whom is capable of tearing par wide apart, tee of today in the toughest of all golf championships-the Na- tional P. G. A.
 This tremendous field, which in- cludes practically every professional golfer of any rank, will gun all week over the Pittsburgh Field club course for the title now held by Denny Shute. And those who believe the lanky Bostonian will hold onto the title he won at Pinehurst last No- vember are getting odds of 30 to l.
 And even these odds seem short when one studies the list of his ad- versaries. Here, with their games tuned to the highest pitch, are six former P G. A. champions and seven one-time National Open kings. This group includes Gene Sarazen, Leo Diegel, Paul Runyan, John Revolta Olin Dutra, Tommy Armour, Billy Burke, Johnny Farrell, Sam Parks and Willie McF'arlane.
 All There
 In addition, there is the current National Open titleholder, Tony Manero, and host of sizzling shot Guldahl, Craig Wood, Henry Picard makers such as Harry Cooper, Ralph Sam Snead, Ed Dudley, and Harold McSpaden. In fact, the only name players missing are Walter Hagen, Mac Smith, Ray Mangrum and Dick Metz
 Today's play called for the first of two 18-hole qualifying rounds. The low 63 scorers in the qualifying rounds today and tomorrow will join Shute in the match play that begins on Wednesday and comes to a climax in the final on Sunday.
 With so much high class talent represented, the critics have refused to try and name a favorite. They have even baked at going on record as to the 36-hole total that will be needed to earn a match play berth, but the players think two-day score of 154 or better will be neces- sary.
 The Field club course is suited to player like Shute. Not overly long it measures 6,665 yards-it's mar row fairways and cannily placed traps place a premium on accuracy rather, than distance. The rough is real rough, and exacts drastic pen- alties from those who stray into it. Par is 72, and the boys didn't toy with it much in practice.
 The qualifying rounds will go a long ways toward determining the makeup of Americas International Ryder cup team, for the four places still vacant on the squad will bt filled on the basis of the showing made in them and the Nationa. Open. The four other members will be chosen from this group of eleven Ed Dudley, Byron Nelson, Ralph Guldahl, Sam Snead, Paul Runyan Harold McSpaden, Jimmy Hines, Ky Lafoon, Craig Wood, Victor Ghezzi and Olin Dutra. Those not in this select group will be spurred on by the knowledge that the winner of the P. G. A. or Open, be h. the rankest unknown, will automatically earn place on the Ryder cup team
 In Fine Shape
 The Field Club course is in mag nificent condition and the contest ants have had nothing but praise for it. Yesterdays warm sun was just the thing needed to slick up the greens and ready them for the most delicate touch.
 The first three were scheduled tc go off at 10 a. m. with the others following at six minute intervals Two rounds of match play. at Ia holes each, is scheduled for We'd nesday This will pare the field to sixteen, and these survivors will meet at 36 holes.