Evening star., 1947-06-15
Putt by Snead
Ties Worsfan1
In U. 5. Open
DeodIocks D. c. Pro
With l6-footeC
PIoyoff Today
By MerreII WhittIesey
Star Sfaff Correspondent,


ST. LOUIS, June 14.-Sam
Snead made a putt heard round
the world today, curling 16-
footer for a birdie 8 on the 18th
hole that knocked WaShington's
Lew Worsham out of undisputed
possession of the National Open
Golf championship and into a
tie for the title at 282.
.Worsham, the 29-year-old fresh
man to big-time golf who grew up
on Washington courses, twice built
up comfortable leads in today's last
two rounds. But although he
played his heart out, he dropped
precious strokes to par and the
field, and it was Snead who took
advantage of the lapses.
Only Snead, the unpredictable
Snead, more noted for blowups and
an erratic putter than for successes
in this great golf test, stood be-
tween Worsham and a surprising
but popular Open triumph. When
Snead stepped up to the putt for
a tie. a hush settled over the
thousands grouped around the
green.
Worsham Was Watching
Slanlmin' Sam, who in 1899 took
an unforgettab able to blow the title.
stroked the ball gently. Worsham
was watching as the ball started
for the cup, picked up speed on
the slippery surface and fell smack
in the middle, and the pent up
emotion of the gallery was released
in a tremendous throaty roar. They
had seen one of the greatest cli-
makes in National Open history.
Snead, who had consecutive
rounds of 72-70-70-70, and Wor-
sham, with 70-70-71-71, both one
stroke back of Ralph Guldahl's
record, will play off for the title
at Is holes at 10 am. today
washington time). At stake will
be $4,000 top money and the SUBJ
sequent estimated $4,000 that the
title will be worth to the winner.
The runnerup gets $500 and they
will divide half the extra-day gate
receipts.
Worsham, the 29-year- r-old shot
maker, dubbed THE Chin" because
of his jut- -jawed countenance, had
the advantage of an early start to-
day and he started charging from
the first tee. Coming to the 10th
hole of the morning round, he was
three under par and again for 10
holes of the afternoon round he
was three under par. But on both
rounds he became entangled in that
detestable, wiry rough and lost his
Worsham's forte today was his
concentration. Attired in bor-
rowed sweater to combat the sharp
winds and without a hat, Lew stuck
doggedly to his business, in :
manner familiar to Washington.
golfers who have watched him lead
ing tournaments. He outwalked
everybody in the gallery. He was
going hard, seemingly anxious to
knock every shot into the hole, yet
in the actual shotmaking, he was
painstakingly careful. Early in the
day he was bold, later he became
careful, but never could he get his
putter working to his satisfaction.
Locke and Oliver Tied.
1t wasn't quite over when Snead
made that putt, for Bobby Locke
was on the course with a chance to
tie, but the rusty putting blade that
had helped make the South African
the tournament fayorite let hha
down horribly today. Locke missed
putt after putt and wound up in
a tie for third with Ed Porky)
Oliver at 285. They won 5000 each.
That understandable pressure of the
last day of the National Open Cham
pionship took its toll of the halfway
mark leaders, Chick Harbert and
Dick Metz. Harbert scared to an
81 and finished with 200. Metz had
78 for total of 291. Jimmy De-
maret took A on one nine for 300.
In fact, after Locke and Oliver,
Amateur Leader Bud Ward with
2S7 was the only other score under
289.
. "A Philadelphia amateur, Jimmy
jr., broke two National
Open records with al out nine of 30
(Continued on Page B-l. Col 81