The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-07
PADGHAM CLOSE. TO PAR AS BIG FIELD COMPLETES
All Over Par at Completion of First Round in
 British Open
BY HARRY PERCY
United Press Staff Correspondent


 United Press Staff Correspondent
 Carnoustie, Scotland, July 7.- (UP)-Carnoustie's par, one of the most formidable on the British Isles, held firm today against the on- slaught of an international field in the first round of the British Open, and after 70 of the 140 players were through for the day only three had come within one stroke of form flg- ures.
 Among the pace setters was Alfred Padgham, the tall, gangling Brit isher who won the title last year, but who barely qualified this time. He scored 37-35 against par 36-35. w. A. McMinn and w J. Branch, Britishers both were the others at 72.
 The United States delegation, 16 strong, was having as much trouble as the home crowd. After eight of of them had completed their rounds, the American pace-setter was Dem ny Shute of Boston, 1883 champion who had 36-37-73.
 Robert sweeny, Jr., of New York and London, British amateur king, had a 75 matched by Sam Snead, White Sulphur Springs, w. Va, and Byron Nelson of Reading. Pa.
 Charley Lacey of New York, Henry Picard of Hershey, Pa, and Johnny Revolta of Chicago had 76, and Bobby Cruickshank of Richmond had 78.
 Carnoustie, Scotland, July IT, (UP)-Bryon Nelson, soft-spoken youngster from Reading, Pa, and smiling Sam Snead of White Sul- phur Spring, W. Vap led the United States contingent through the first round of British open golf cham- pionship today. Each had a 75.
 Play began today at 8:30 a. m. (3:30 a. m, EDT) under heavily overcast skies. Local weather fore casters were divided upon the pos- sibility of rain and a heat wave There was a minimum Of wind which offset the fact that the trees were pushed back making the course longer than 1t was during the qualifying rounds of Monday and Tuesday.
 Bobby Cruckshank of Richmond Va, had a 78 and Charles Lacey of New York a 76.
 Plenty of Trouble
 Nelson went out in 37, never once touching a fairway until the ninth green was passed. However, he had sparkling recoverieS and was oniy one stroke over par rounding the turn. He lost another stroke to par at the 18th by trapping his drive. He was trapped at the long l4th but managed a par s but missed a one- foot putt for par 4 at the 18th, and was short at the home green to come back in 38 for his 75. Snead hit part at each outward hole except at the fifth where he missed a short putt and thus turned in 37. He drove into the burn at the 10th to lose another stroke. He was in two bunkers at the long i4th and had six. Sam faced ape parent disaster at the 18th. He tried to carry the burn with his second but the ball splashed into the water He looked carefully and was about to ask his caddy to throw 1t to him when he discovered a tiny twig was holding 1t just above the water. He rolled up his right trouser leg, and slammed the ball. mud and water toward the green. The ball just reached the green and stopped 36 feet from the pin. He sank the putt for his par, an inward 38 and a days total of 75.
 Denny Shute of Boston, P. c. A. champion of the United States and 1883 winner of the British open, had 73. He was out in par 36 but had 37, two over, on the return. He made strong recoveries from oc" casional rtouble. Like the other players l.e was bothered by the wind.
 Nip and Tuck
 He missed the second green to lose stroke to par but sank long putt for a birdie at the third. He drove into the burn at the fifth to lose another stroke but played his approach to the sixth close to the pin.
 He sank a lo-footer at the l4th and was then even with par for the round. On the 18th he played safety shot to the left of hte burn but found bunke rinstead and needed five to get home and had a six. two over par.
 Carnoustie, Scotland July IT, (UP).-Leading scores of the first round of the British open golf championship;
 Charles Lacey, New York-3s-38- 76.
 Bobby Cruickshank, Richmond, Va.-4l-3 -37-7S.
 Sam Sread, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.-37-38-75.
 Byron Nelson, Reading, Pa.-37- 39-75.
 Robert sweeny. Jr, New York London-38-37-75. William COX, Great Britain-36- 38-74.
 David Rees, Great Britain--3e- 39-75.
 Alfred Padgham. Great 1ritani-- 37-35-72.
 Johnny Revolta of Chicago had a 76. matched by Henry Picard of Hershey, Pa.
 Denny Shute. Boston 36-37-73.
 Henry Picard, Hershey, Pa. 30-30-76.
 Johnny Revolta, Chicago 36-40- 76.
 Henry Cotton, Great Britain 38-30-74.
 Richard Burton, Great Britain 40-37-77.
 Sam King, Great Britain 30-40- 79.
 Arthur Lacey, Great Britain 30-36-75.
 W. A. McMinn, Great Britain 37-35--72.
 W. J. Branch, Great Britain 36-30-72.