The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-03
HOGAN FAVORED
TO WIN CLASSIC
Little Linksman Must De-
feat Rivals Like Snead.
Nelson And Locke

AUGUSTA, Ga, April 2. -Pe
Bobby Locke, the South African
champion, checked in late today
with British Open Champion Sam.
my Snead to bring the field to 81
for tomorrow's opening round Of
the 18th Annual Masters Coli
tournament.
The two, who left South Africa
Sunday by plane after an exhibi.
ton tour in which Locke Won IL and
tied one in is matches with the Hot
Springs, Va, slammer, immediate
ly took to the 6,80O-yard national
course for a practice round.
Most of the field, including de-
tending champion Herman Keiser
OF Akron, Ohio, got in final warm
up rounds, but no one reported an
exceptional score. Heavy rains OF
Tuesday left the fairways 'long''
and soggy and flooded a bridge on
the 18th hole, making it temporary
unplayable.
The final places in the select field
went to George Schoux of Mamaro-
neck, N. Y, and Johnny Palmer
of Badin, N. c., on the basis OF
their playing during the winter
tour, which ends here. Also quail
flying at the last minute was Joe
Macdonald of Hamilton, Mass,
who drew an invitation as winner
of an armed service tournament
here. Macdonald is stationed at the
Banana River, Fla, Naval Air
station.
In a driving contest, which eli
NAKED an exhibition by a group
OF the games top stars, Chick Har-
bert and Jimmy Thompson tied
with drives of 1926 yards. Cary Mid
dlecoff of Memphis, winner Of the
Charlotte open this week, was third
with 319 yards.
Writers and players alike are
picking Hogan as the ~favorite in
the Blue Ribbon event. However
wee Benny will experience consid-
cradle competition from such shot
makers as British open champion
Sammy Snead of Hot Springs, Va,
Bobby Locke, South African champ,
defending champion Herman Keiser
of Dayton, O., Byron Nelson, Law
son Little, former American and
British amateur champ, Jimmy De-
maret and others.
Nelson is somewhat of a question
mark due to his layoff from COM
petition and admits he isn't play
ing as well as he should be. Or S
he puts it: I'm not playing well
Ell gh to win this one."
Hogan, however, didn't agree
with Nelson, saying that layofi
could help. I get pretty much fed
up with the game sometimes and
a layoff would whet my appetite
for it."
Two other to~p-notchers who have
put in appearance for the meet are
Horton Smith, winner Of the event
in 1884 and again in 1886, and Craig
Wood, who tied Gene Sarazen in
1885 and then lost the playoff. In
1e41 he came back with a $50 to de-
feat Nelson by three strokes for
the title.
Nelson and Smith r the event S
only tWo-time winners.
A hard rain Tuesday night and
this morning delayed practice
rounds but this afternoon found the
course crowded with golfdom's
brightest stars.
Hogan, who has won practically
every major golf event in the
country except the Masters, seems
{ 'ermined to add the Augusta
tournament to his long list OF pro-
fessional victories.
Runner-up in 1910 when he tied
Nelson at $50 and lost by a single
stroke in the playoff and again in
1916 when Keiser nosed him out
of the final green 1882 to 283, the
midget giant of the game has been
in the spring golf capitol two weeks
and has engaged in lengthy practice
sessions daily.
Leader of last years money win.
ners with over $42, 900, Hogan finds
himself a favorite among 90-odo
Invited, which also includes public
links champion Smiley Quick, anna.
teur king Ted Bishop and U. S.
open champion Lloyd Mangrum.
The tournament ends Sunday
Play will be medal - 10 holes
daily.