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National Open Without Top Choice Olympic Club Links Confuses Players Sarazen Picks Littler While Turnesa Likes Middlecoff; Hogan, Snead Men to Beat By HAL WOOD United Press Sports Writer . SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 13— The Olympic Club course, resting under a heavy shroud of fog today, had the experts so puzzled that they couldnt get together on a favorite to win the 55th U. S. Open starting Thursday — other than the fact -that Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were the men to beat. . The golfers themselves were as confused as the next man — some said it would take great iron play; others great* driving; still others pointing out that the title would be won on the greens. Gene Sarazen, who will be missing his first National Open in 20 years, says that young Gene. Littler will unseat the old-timers and win this one. "Littler has the complete game to win on this course," said Sarazen. "It takes straight woods, good irons and strong putting! He qualifies on all three." On the other hand, veteran Jim Turnesa, who is hoping to get into the competition by default he is the third alternate from the San Francisco area doubts that Littler has good enough iron play to hit the tiny greens on the course. Littlers irons werent so good today as he took an early tour of the course. He had 43 on the front side and 40 on the back for an 83 on a course that was a par 35-35—70. Thinks Middlecoff Will Win He played with local professional Bobby Rosburg, who said he was "well satisfied" with a 77. "I think Dr. Cary Middlecoff will win it," said Turnesa. "He is very good when he gets hot, and he was that way during the Masters this year and he may still .be in the streak." Despite Dick Mayers great 66 yesterday, the predictions still remain that a score J of around 285 will win the tournament — and that would be five over par. The fog is getting damper; the fairways are getting wetter and there is less roll every day, meaning the course will be playing much tougher than it has been. Most of the professional and amateur stars, with the exception of defending champion Ed Furgol, were on hand today and the course was a beehive of activity as the stars lined up for a chance to get off the first tee for a practice round. Furgol, who wants to win this one more than he did last years, stamped himself as another favorite with his solid win in the International meet at Washington over the week end. With his educated ,hooks and fades, Furgol played the course real well in test runs two weeks ago. He is one man who does not fear the course — and that may prove a decisive factor. The professionals continue to grumble about the 17th hole as being an unfair test. . "They can call it a par four or a par two, if they want," said Middlecoff. "But it is still a par five." The hole, 461 yards long, up-hill, is called a par four. Prior to the tournament, it was a 485-yard par-five. Among those by-passed in the mention for the title is little Jerry Barber, one of the nations top money-winners for the past five years and a steady top-flight performer. It is possible that his usual steady play might make him a strong contender.
