Charles leads select field

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 24

Charles leads select field

(X.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) CARLSBAD, (California). R. J. Charles of New Zealand, came from seven strokes behind with a 67 and moved past a faltering Allin to take the lead after three rounds of golfs $200,000 Tournament of Champions Associated Press reported. The dour, left-handed Charles, who became eligible for the event with his recent victory in the Greensboro tournament, had a 54-hole total of 209 (seven under par), on the warm and sunny La Costa course. Allin, who had led the first two rounds, cast away a four-stroke advantage and drifted back to second, one stroke behind Charles. Allin dropped strokes on three successive holes beginning at the fifteenth and took a disappointing 75. J. .Miller, the United States Open champion, and winner of four titles already this season, was tied with H. Green and J. Mahaffey at 211. Miller had a 67. Green a six-under 66, and Mahaffey a 71. The tournament brings together only the winners of United States circuit tournaments in the last 12 months. Leading scores:109— Charles, 79. n. 97. 110— Allin, 99. 49, 75. 111— Green, 71, 71, 44; Miller, 75, 49, 47; Mahaffey, 70, 70, 71. Ill—B. Crampton, 71, 70, 49; J. Nicklaus, 71, 71, 49; W. Casper, 75. 49, 40. 113— M. Barber, 49, 70, 74. 114— H. Irwin. 71, 71, 71; J. Schroeder, 71, 49, 74; J. Heard, 71, 71, 71; G. Littler, 70, 99, 75.