Watson, Rogers have U.S. Open lead

Press, 21 June 1982, Page 32

Watson, Rogers have U.S. Open lead

NZPAPebble Beach, California Tom Watson and Bill Rogers shared the lead going into the final round of the United States Open golf championship, but a pair of Australians were hard on their heels. Watson got his swing in the groove yesterday for a 68 and Rogers scrambled to a 69 as they completed the third round at the Pebble Beach course infour-under-par totals of 212. David . Graham, of Australia. put himself in position

to win the event for the second successive year, something only five players have achieved before. Graham’s 69 left him at 214, with last year’s joint runner-up, George Burns, a fellow Australian, Bruce Devlin, leader for the first two rounds, and Scott Simpson. Jack Nicklaus, chasing an unprecedented fifth U.S. Open trophy, was at 215 with Calvin Peete. Craig Stadler, Lanny Wadkins, Bobby Clampett, Dan Pohl and Larry Rinker were a further stroke behind.

Devlin, aged 44, who had surprisingly led the first two rounds, fell away with a 75 that included three bogeys and no birdies. “I feel like I got away with murder because I played some bad golf today," he said after yesterday’s round. “But I’m not discouraged. I’m just two shots back." A light morning drizzle softened the course and made playing conditions easier. The earlier starters benefited most, with Wadkins and Britain’s Peter Oosterhuis scoring 67s to equal the lowest round of the tournament so far.