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► Hogan, Snead Rate Tops in U. S, Open Co-Favorites in Tournament Starting Thursday; Nelson, Furgol at Odds on Course By HAL WOOD United Press Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 11.— The worlds greatest golf extravaganza, the U. S. National Open tournament, gets under way here Thursday, with the old reliables of the fairways, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, installed as the co-favorites to win. Hogan has accomplished the feat four times — but Snead never has been better than runner-up. But they are the kings of the current crop and rate at the top among the betting men. As the vanguard of a field of 162 competitors started practice over the fog-shrouded San Francisco Olympic Club course, the odds also were against anyone beating par of 280 for the four rounds. "It just cant be done on this kind of a course," says former champion Byron Nelson, who also is a contender for the title this year. "There isnt the slightest chance to make an error and recover. Every time a player hits the rough here, it costs him a stroke." Some of the pre-tournament prognosticates are overlooking defending champion Ed Furgol. But Furgol, playing here last week, performed as if he "owned" the course. He carved out a two-over-par 72 without an apparent effort on National Golf Day. In practice rounds, he was even better. Seven Potential Birdie Holes "This is not a tough course," said Furgol. "I think it can be licked. There are at least seven potential birdie holes." - Furgols thinking differs vastly from that of Snead, Hogan, Dr. Cary Middlecoff and others who have been testing the lay-out. "This course officially measures only 6,700 yards," said Snead. "But it plays" longer than Baltusrol. And the rough is much tougher because of the-lush growth." The officials pairings for the first 36 holes, announced today, show that Furgol will play with former National Amateur champion Gene Littler, a favorite among the younger golfers and runner-up to Furgol last year, and Claude Harmon, the veteran Mamaroneck, N. Y., professional. Nelson will tee off with former champions Lew Worsham and Julius Boros; Snead with Bob Rosburg and Doug Ford; while Hogan is paired with Jackie Burke and Dick Mayer. All of the featured threesomes start no earlier than 10 a. m. each day and no later than 1:36 — so they, will be performing in the middle of the day when there is less fog than in the morning or late afternoon. The tog usually starts swirling hi from the adjacent Pacific Ocean about 4 p*. m. PDT daily. The official USGA listing shows 132 professionals and 30 amateurs competing in the 55th annual event. However, these are subject to late changes when alternates substitute for players who are unable to show up.
