Evening star., 1938-06-09
GULDAHL IS CALM
CROWN DEFENDER
Snead, Cooper, Smith and
Picard Appear to Be
Hottest Threats.
BY GRANTLAND RICE.

BY GRANTLAND RICE.
DENVER, June 9.-Before the dew
was of the closely cropped grass at
mile-high Cherry Hills today the first
tee shot doomed down the fairway.
Before another June dusk has fallen
across the Rockies more than $4,000
golf shots will lombard this course
from tee to cup in the opening salvo
to decide the next open champion of
the United States.
Cherry Hills is a test more OF direc-
ton than distance-of iron play to
smaller greenland always the putting
touch.
As the skill of competitive golf has
increased SO much from year to year,
this should be one Of the greatest of
all opens. Who will win it? In the
last 80 years of open championships
only Jack McDermott and Bobby Jones
have won it twice in a row. That
alone shows how rugged the going is.
This time Ralph Guldahl is the de-
Tending champion, and big Ralph faces
the hardest assignment known to sport
when 1t comes to defending a crown.
The pack is too big and too good and
too keen, and Lady Luck is too fickle.
Guldahl Cool in Clutch. 80
Who are the stars with the better
chance to win? Here Is a brief sum-
mary OF those you will read about or
watch as the parade gets under way:
Ralnh Ct,1iohl (Iaforlinr o,o,.,
pion)--a 26-year-old 200-pounder from
Texas-stoop-shouldered, slow-moving,
deliberate. A fine golfer with every
club. Long of the tea stout iron
player-one Of the best of the putters.
Outstanding faculty-Calmness or Sc
renity under pressure AS easy to
upset as Pixies Peak. Shots inclined to
ne high. There are no bunkers in the
air. Almost sure to be somewhere
around the top. One of the few who
blew an easy putt to tie or what
Chicago in 1933-and then came back.
Sam Snead-West Virginia hill billy
around "a. Came on with a rush 18
months ago. One of the finest swing
, ers golf ever has known. On the
slender side, his body, hand and wrist
action are SO perfectly blended that
he Is one of the longest of all the
hitters - the only one to challenge
Jimmy Thomson. A fine iron player
with an exceptionally good putting
touch. Can still use more experience
on the temperamental side. but on his
hot days is the hottest of them all.
Cooper Too Pessimistic.
Harry Cooper-The great Should
have" of golf. A potential champion
and big money winner l3 years ago.
Slender, wiry, with one of the faster
backswings. Straightest in the field,
day in and out, from tee to pin. Lead
ing money winner and low scorer for
last three-year average. Thinks too
much in terms of bad breaks and hard
luck. He has had his share of both.
But opens are not won over that route.
With Walter Hagen's temperament
would be unbeatable .. -
Gene Sarazen-Past his peak, but
always a contender. Winner of both
United States and British open cham
pionships. A stocky Italian with piano
legs. One of the faster players. A
great hunch player-especially down
the stretch, where he is always danger,
Gus. Won his last title by playing
final % holes in 100 strokes-l2 under
even As. Has given more attention in
recent years to Connecticut farming
than to golf.
Henry Picard--The tall, well-built
entry from Hershey. One of the master
stylists. A fine golfer from tee to cup.
One OF the best of the long iron
players, with unusually good foot ac-
tion. Main fault: Lack of confidence
In himself and his game. Pays tos
much attention to the unlucky breaks
with which golf Is loaded. A dangerous
factor who must be considered.
Nelson Is Due Soon.
Byron Nelson - Another strong
young, rugged Texan who is due to win
one soon. Has q sound swing, plenty
IN the way Of length and full conf
dence in himself.
Horton Smith-Tall, slender Missouri
10y who. 10 years ago, was mopping up
the field. Probably the games finest
all-around putter Has never smoked
or taken q drink. Cool and calm under
all conditions. Has yet to win an
open after such rich early promise.
Main fault: Too much golf.
Johnny haired Far
Northern entry who startled Florida
few years ago. A straight iron
player and poison around the greens
from 80 yards away. Not long of
the tee, but high-class competitor
young, strong and ambitious.
Jimmy Thomson-The siege gun of
the ancient green. The longest of
the carrying golfers. At home in
Colorado. Nerves worn triflle thin
from too much play. Can have
streaks that are unbeatable when
his pitches and putting are working.
Quite good enough to win.
at match play who has found medal
play harder game to master. One
OF the longer hitters. Lost his putt
ing stoke some time back, but has
recovered most OF his lost touch.
Mental attitude at medal play has to
approach same attitude at match
play.
Armour Loses Interst.
, tommy Armour-One of the best
ana smartest golfers the game yet
mas seen. Master of the iron. Too
many years given over to instruc-
tion' so that his interest In compete
i've golf has lost its keenness. Too
many yips IN the putting stroke. But
stu something to watch.
ny Lanoon--A better golfer than
ms record shows. Was setting courses
on fire q few years back. A fine
sWlnger who needs more discipline
the arNOfiNS,ol egA~ p.