Evening star., 1940-04-04
The
SPORTLIGHT
Hogan Holds Spotlight
In Masters Tourney
BY GRANTLAND RICE,
epecial CORRESPONDENT of The etar

seventh time over the Augusta
National Course in the Masters test
But with all the stars assembled
here the great, white spotlight is
turned upon Ben Hogan, the wiry
Texan now located at White Plains,
N. Y, who has applied the in
cinerator to three Carolina courses
lately with the remarkable record of
"a under par for 2l6 holes.
Even the old timers here are won-
dering how long this phenomenon
will last. They all know that golf
is a game of razor edge-and then
the dull ak of lost form and lost
timing. 1t has been this way for
some 500 years. But so far this
winter and spring Jimmy Demaret
and Ben Hogan have kept their
razor edges sharpened through eight
winning mopups against the pick OF
golf.
GuIdohI Only PIoyer to Beat
Par on Augusta Course.
How long can slender Ben keep
running amuck?
There still Is another Texan you
must figure in this Masters parade.
His name is Ralph Guldahl, the only
golfer who has wrecked par over
this course.
Ralph has known a hard winter.
His game suddenly blew up. His
left arm quit on the job and he
lost his putting touch. But he
proved at Asheville. where he
finished just back Of Hogan, that
he was on the road again.
During the last three years Gull
dahl has played this course in 13
under par. No one else has equaled
par, or even been close to par, on
the course where drives must be
placed properly and where the putt
ing blade must be under full con-
troll
There are many men who can
win this masters show-including
Hogan. Demaret, Guldahl, Nelson,
Metz, Burke, Snead, Horton Smith,
Sarazen, Little. Picard, Wood, Run
yam, on and on.
Empero Tournament Soft
Against Hardened Field.
Who are these people who make
up the cast at Augusta today? We
might check them over.
!. Bobby Jones-winner of 13
national and international titles from
1923 through 1930-the grand slam
In 1880. Returning to competition
In 1884 in this one event, over his
own course, he turned in his best
score. 294, tied with Hagen and
Mac Smith. Tournament soft
against those who are tournament
tough.
2. Jimmy Demaret of Houston,
Textile D'Artagan of modern
golf-the Hagen that used to be
a brilliant stynst, carefree, always
relaxed, a master of every shot.
one of the big winners of 1940.- "A
fellow every one likes. A swing as
smooth as the south wind-a smile
even smoother. A top sportsman.
8. Ben Hogan-another Texan
q terrific hitter at 1873 pounds, who
has had to fight both men and fate.
He looked hard luck squarely in the
face, refused to buckle up, and final
" spread-eagled three star fields
through the Carolinas - through
wind, sun and snow. A smashing
hitter who maintains low trajec-
tory. and keeps his wrists cooked for
the final punch.
4. Ralph Guldahl-(can't we get
away from these Texans)-a double
United States Open champion, who
has finished 2-2-1 at Augusta, Is
under par after ZIG holes-who went
into a tailspin last winter and has
tust emerged "A stoop-shouldered
piant who is one of the best, one
of the most dangerous over course
he likes-the defending champion
holder of the tournament record
at 279.
s. Byron Nelson-another Texan,
another former winner. now United
States open champion-a grim,
hard-fghting f1nisher who still can't
relax-but always the one to beat
when the main swag is down.
Sneod Is Greet Shotmoker
But Nerves Bother Him.
6. The mystery man of golf
Sammy Snead, the West Virginia
hillbilly-one of the great shot
makers of all time with any club.
A mighty hitter off the tee with
low trajectory coming into the ball
a fine iron player-a good putter-
still struggling to concentrate and
keep his nerves under control-still
a trifle too tense. A great golfer
who still must learn that golf is
at least 10 per cent mental and
psychological and that mere shot
makers are still a dime dozen.
7. Horton Smith-master of the
short game, an essential factor over
the somewhat tricky chip shots and
puttinO needed around the green's
here-winner of two masters tour
naments-one of the credits to golf
or any other sport-cool, stout
hearted. smart and game.
8. Billy Burke-who won the
United States open in 1881 after
IA holes-a veteran who tied the
course record here last April until
Guldahl turned in his card-an all
around fine golfer who has averaged
81 over his course at Belleair this
winter-not only magnificent COM
petitor, but also exceptional around
the greens. One of the top figures
In professional golf. The best of the
veterans.
8, Gene Sarazen-the Connecticut
Squire. Cocky, stocky, chesty, smart
and game. Holder of the course
record for one round in which he
finished 1873 for a 66 in 1899
through a rain, wind and hail storm
one of the best rounds I ever saw.
Winner of the United States Open,
the British Open and the P. G. A.
more than once.
10. Henry Picard-P G. A. cham
pion-winner here two years ago-a
brilliant swinger-a trifle too much
on the pessimistic side.
To this list you can add such
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