Corey Pavin four strokes clear of field

Press, 7 December 1985, Page 80

Corey Pavin four strokes clear of field

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Modesty might well be the middle name of the amiable American, Corey Pavin — he is not one to brag about his golfing feats, although he has every reason to be boastful.

So when the dapper little Californian says he might be heard to catch after two of the four rounds in the $lOO,OOO Broadbank New Zealand Open tournament at Russley, people sit back and listen.

Pavin, the defending champion, qualifies his statement by saying that he will have to continue putting as well as he has been to keep in front. That, for him, seems a formality. His judgment on the greens has been uncanny; he might have spent most of life’s leisure' time on the putting greens such has been his knowledge of their little breaks and borrows.

With his game from tee to green fast taking shape and with the putter having the sweetest of sweet spots, Pavin yesterday threw down the gauntlet to his pursuers at half-way. His second successive round of 67, six under par, left him four strokes clear of Jeff Senior, of Australia, and five ahead of the New Zealand left-hander, Bob Charles. One shot behind Charles, on 140, was New Zealand’s next best professional, Simon Owen, and a young Australian, Larry Canning.

The cut-off mark for the final two rounds today and tomorrow was 150, fourover par, with 60 surviving the cut. Seven amateurs finished better than 150, with Canterbury’s Mark Street, after a fine 70 yesterday, leading the race for the Bledisloe Cup on 144, three ahead of Elliot Boult (Marlborough). Noel Ratcliffe, the joint overnight leader with Pavin, dropped back to equal sixth after a one-over 74. He was utterly frustrated by his

putting, and his disappointment showed from time to time.

He had just the one birdie, at the ninth, but lipped out at 10, 11 and 12, and he became increasingly exasperated as putts, both from long and short distances, stopped by the hole. Owen’s was a much better round. He had four birdies and didn’t drop a shot in a strong and stylish display. His putting was sound, but without much luck.

Pavin had 26 putts yesterday and fully agreed with the praise lavished on the greens by Charles minutes before him.

“The greens are among the best putting surfaces I’ve played on — anywhere. They are very true.” Pavin, aged 26, sixth among the money-earners on this year’s United States P.G.A. tour, said that he played a better round of golf than he had on the first day. “I hit some real good shots at the pin, it was a more consistent striking round. I’m pleased with two six-unders, I’ll be even more pleased with two more sixunders.”

Senior’s prominent position was not totally unexpected after his highly impressive sixth placing in the Air New Zealand Shell Open at Titirangi last week, a placing worth $5348. The interview room, situated in the ladies locker room, amused Charles who was in good humour after his 68, an improvement of three shots on his first round. “Is that what it looks like?” he inquired. “I’ve been waiting 25 years to get inside a ladies locker room.”

QUALIFIERS 134: C. Pavin (U.S.A.), 67, 67. 138: J. Senior (Aust.), 70, 68. 139: R. J. Charles (N.Z.), 71, 68. 140: L. Canning (Aust.), 70, 70; S. Owen (N.Z.), 71, 69. 141: S. Elkington (Aust.), 70, 71; N. Ratcliffe (Aust.), 67, 74; V. Somers (Aust.), 72, 69. 142: C. Henderson (Aust.), 73, 69; T. Gale (Aust.), 74, 68. 143: P. Fowler (Aust.), 73, 70; M. Colandro (U.S.A.), 72, 71; S. Reese (N.Z.), 72, 71.

144: M. Cahill (Aust.), 72, 72; P. Jones (Aust.), 73, 71; M. Bembridge (U.K.), 74, 70; L. Stephen (Aust.), 74, 70; M. Loughland (Aust.), 70, 74; M. Street (A., Harewood), 74, 70; R. Coombes (N.Z.), 74, 70; J. Clifford (Aust.), 72, 72; K. Murray (Can.), 73, 71; M. Clayton (Aust.), 71, 73. 145: T. Maloney (Aust.), 72, 73; M. Ferguson (Aust.), 74, 71; I. Stanley (Aust.), 73, 72; B. Murray (U.S.A.), 74, 71; D. Hurter (U.S.A.), 73, 72.

146: R. Davis (Aust.), 75, 71; M. Moynihan (N.Z.), 75, 71; J. Deep (Aust.), 68, 78; R. Vershure (U.S.A.), 74, 72.

147: J. Price (Aust.), 73, 74; R. J. Stephens (Aust.), 77, 70; B. Vivian (N.Z.), 71, 76; O. Moore (Aust.), 74, 73; T. Power (Aust.), 76, 71; P. Powell (N.Z.), 75, 72; L. Tinkler (Aust.), 72, 75; B. Soulsby (N.Z.), 74, 73; G. Carroll (Aust.), 72, 75; E. P. Boult (A., Marlborough), 76, 71.

148: O. Kendall (A., Mt Maunganui), 74, 74; J. Williamson (A., Christchurch), 70, 78; J. B. Sanders (A., Christchurch), 71, 77; T. J. Elliott (Aust.), 76, 72; J. Lister (N.Z.), 73, 75; J. M. Angus (A., Russley), 71, 77.

149: W. Riley (Aust.), 75, 74; W. Mclntosh (N.Z.), 76, 73; M. B. Guy (N.Z.), 73, 76; P. Devenport (A., Paraparaumu), 73, 76; S. Ginn (Aust.), 76, 73.

150: K. Murphy (Aust.), 76, 74; P. Somers (Aust.), 78, 72; F. Stamey (U.S.A.), 76, 74; A. Gilligan (Aust.), 74, 76; C. Johnsen (U.S.A.), 76, 74; G. Clarke (N.Z.), 74, 76; G. Taylor (Aust.), 74, 76.