The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-06-17
Today's Sport
 Parade
BY HENRY McLEMORE
United Press Staff Corresponden

Toledo, Ohio, June IT. (UP)- Samuel Jackson Snead finally has cleared his fine Hill Billy head of the fog that enveloped 1t on the final hole of the national open golf championship last week, and is able to talk coherently of the dreadful eight that cost him the title. For while after this inelegant eight, no one could find out just what happened. Men dared not ask Samuel about it lest he wrathfully (and rightfully) wrap putters about their neckS and knot them into per- manent bow ties. Aud even if some brave soul had brought up the ques- tion Samuel, in his disappointment and hurt, could not have answered
 But time, as said years ago, is 8 great healer. In less than week Snead, with commendable fortitude and common sense, has come to look upon that eight as something that definitely belongs to the past and not something that must hang over his head for the rest of his days.
 He can even joke about it now. In the Shotmaking demonstration that the 16 professionals staged be- fore the opening of the Inverness four-ball invitation tournament here, Snead was asked by the mas ter of ceremonies, Horton Smith, to show the gallery how to play a brassie from Q close lie. This was similar shot to the one that led to the dismal eight.
 You're asking me to show the folks that shot?" Samuel said with laugh as he addressed the ball. T was hoping I'd never have to make one of those again."
 Then he stepped into the ball and knocked it 220 yards down the line. AS 1t sailed straight out down the fairway, Samuel said:
 That's the one meant to play in Philadelphia"
 Snead showed plenty of courage last Sunday. Still stunned by the loss of the championship he had so snugly in his grasp, he had to play an exhibition match. Like a man in 8 daze, he took 39 shots on the , first nine. Then-and don't tell me Snead hasn't courage after this. He pulled himself together, gathered his shattered game, and roared around the back nine in 31. That 31 was his answer to the critics who said his collapse at Philadelphia doomed him forever to the ranks of the men who came close but never win 8 major title. In those nine holes he found him. self again and sounded his chal- lenge for open tournaments of the future.
 With irons and woods he threw down the gauntlet to those who considered him crushed competi- tor, 8 man who couldn't come back. If you don't agree with me, if you consider him licked for all time, what odds will you give me against the boy from the Virginia hills in the ls4o open champion ship?
 In talking of his eight on the 72nd hole at Philadelphia, Snead said he thought he needed a birdie four on the hole to win, and that was why he gambled with brassie from the deep rough on his second shot.
 If I had thought or known that five or six would have won for me-" he said, T would have beaten the ball out on the fairway with 8 four or five iron, and pitched on for Q pretty certain five.
 But thought had to take the risk and so went for it. If I got in the same position next year, and thought had to have four I'd play the same club again" 6nead admits that after he had played four shots, and still was 6 good way from the green, he "sorta lost count" Actually, he was like 6 punch drunk fighter. His third shot from the trap and his wild fourth were like blows to the head, robbine him of golfing reason.
 But he is back on his game now and looking to the future. He'll be tough to beat any time he starts.