Imperial Valley Press

LEADING GOLFERS START OUT ON OPEN TOURNEY

By FRANK GETTY

(United Press Sports Editor)

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Chicago, June 21. Two by two, over the rolling fairways of Olympia Fields, the pick of the nation's golfers, and a hardy, hopeful handful from overseas, set out today in quest of the national open championship.

Early birds among the spectators at the picturesque course on the outskirts of Chicago, flew about distractedly, trying to decide which pair to follow.

Bobby Jones, the favorite and smiling Johnny Farrell; Tommy Armour, defending champion, with the British giant, Archie Compston; Walter Hagen and the stout-hearted young amateur, Maurice McCarty; each pair had its host of admirers to help.

The practice rounds earlier in the week had furnished no forecast of the probable winner, except to show that Bob Jones was back on his game and could laugh at par and that Compston, conqueror of Hagen at match play and leading British contender at Sandwich, must be reckoned with before the cup can be entirely considered an American possession.

First to tee off was Jack Darrow, Olympia Fields professional, partnered with George M. Christ of Rochester, N. Y. Following them at five minute intervals the remainder of the field of 150 sent their tee shots whistling down the long firm fairway and the 72nd national open was under way.

By Friday night, the field will be whittled down to the leading sixty at the end of the first two rounds and the survivors will get another 36 holes on Saturday to determine the new champion.