Burns leads Open by three strokes

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 34

Burns leads Open by three strokes

NZPA-Reuter Ardmore George Burns, surprising himself but not his closest rivals, has a three-stroke lead after the third round of the United States Open golf championship. Burns shaved a stroke from the three-round record for the Open by posting a seven-under-par total of 203 at the Merion course. Ben Crenshaw set another third-round record when he toured the 6544-yard (5987metre) suburban Philadelphia course in 64 shots, eclipsing a mark which had stood since 1947.

Burns' closest challenger was the Australian, David Graham, who balanced five birdies with five bogeys for a 70 to total 206.

Bill Rogers was alone in third place on 207, followed by Jack Nicklaus. John Schroeder and Chi Chi Rodriguez on 208, with Crenshaw, Jim Thorpe. John Cook and Tommy. Valentine a further stroke back.

“I never expected to shoot these kind of rounds here.” Burns said of his scores of 69, 66 and 68. “This is a big surprise for me," However, Nicklaus, the defending champion and holder of the old three-round record, pointed out that the 31-year-old New Yorker won the Bing Crosby event last year and was placed seventh in the 1980 money-winners’ list with almost $220,000 (NZ5257,400). Graham played twice with Burns in practice rounds and said: “He was playing superbly, so it is no surprise he is leading the Open.” Burns had no illusions about what the final day might hold for him. Recalling that he had lost the lead in tournaments before, including this year's San Diego tournament which he led by four strokes on the final day, he said: “I have not learned how to win yet. But I have learned from my mistakes." As to his strategy in the

t final round. Burns said: “1 am just going out to shoot 18 f pars and let those guys get ’ after me.” Graham conceded that - Burns would be in a strong r position with a round of 70. , but said he had not given up - hope. “I do not think I am - going to change my game * plan at all,” he said. “Four i conservative, steady rounds t usually win the Open." 1 Nicklaus was of a similar opinion. “I will not have ! much strategy except to play [ the whole course well. A > good, solid round will have a ' chance to win.” One player out of the ’ running was the favourite, the British Open and Masters champion Tom Watson. He hooked his drive out of bounds at the fifteenth in the third round, three-putted for a triple bogey seven and finished on 212, nine behind Burns. The young Australian. Greg Norman, and Bill Kratzert also wrecked their hopes of the championship with triple bogeys and both came in with 73s to total 211. Kratzert needed three shots to get out of the back bunker at the short thirteenth, while Norman hooked his tee shot at the twelfth, burying the tjall in a bunker, and took two shots to hack it back onto the fairway before three-putting. Of the other foreigners, Spain’s Severiano Ballesteros, Isao Aoki, of Japan, and the Australian, Bruce Devlin, were on 214, one ahead of South African, Gary Player, with Player's compatriot, Mark McNulty, on 216.

Leading scorers: George Burns, 69, 66, 68—203; David Graham (Australia). 68. 68, 70-206: Bill Rogers, 70, 68, 69207; John Schroeder, 71, 68, 69— 208: Jack Nicklaus, 67. 68, 71— 208; Juan Rodriquez, 68, 73, 67— 208; Jim Thorpe. 66, 73, 70-209; John Cook. 68. 70, 71-209; Tommy Valentine, 69. 68. 72— 209; Ben Crenshaw, 70. 75. 64— 209; Sammy Rachels, 70, 71, 69— 210; Scott 'Simpson, 72, 67, 71— 210; Lon Hinkle. 69, 71, 70-210: Jack Renner, 68, 71. 72—211; Lanny Wadkins, 71, 68, 72—211; Jerry Pate. 70. 69. 72-211; Bill Kratzert, 69. 69. 73—211; Greg Norman (Australia), 71, 67, 73— 211.