Floyd elated after U.S. Open victory

Press, 17 June 1986, Page 40

Floyd elated after U.S. Open victory

NZPA-Reuter Southampton, New York A week after he "totally blew” a tournament on the last day, Ray Floyd shot a steady 66 in the final round of the 86th United States Open yesterday to become its oldest champion. “We took a bad situation and turned it around and made it positive,” said the 43-year-old Floyd after he had posted a 72hole total of 279 to win his first U.S. Open by two strokes.

Floyd, the only player to complete four rounds over Shinnecock Hills Golf Club’s 6324 metres course under par, was tied for the lead in last week’s Westchester Classic going into the final round but dropped 10 shots to finish twelfth.

“Last week I totally blew it internally,” said Floyd of his uncharacteristic collapse. “This (Open victory) is tremendously significant for me considering my performance at Westchester last week.”

Floyd, who won the 1976 Masters and two American P.G.A. Championships, said he gave himself a “stern” lecture before starting play in the

Open. “You better get on with it,” he remembered telling himself as he prepared for the event.

“I couldn’t be more proud of myself,” he said after emerging victorious from a final round, which saw nine players hold or share the lead at one time or another.

“It’s a great thing to accomplish,” said Floyd of his triumph in what most people consider the most important golf tournament in the world. “It’s a tremendous thing for me.”

Floyd, a professional golfer for 24 years, said that before the championship he had not given any thought to his age. "I never thought about being 43 years old and this could be my last chance,” he said, “but then people in the media started talking to me about it.”

Age has been a preoccupation of American sportswriters since April, when Jack Nicklaus unexpectedly won the Masters championship at the advanced age of 46.

“What Jack did at Augusta was great for the game,” Floyd said. “I hope my winning the Open will also be a stimu-

lus for the game. Golf needs heroes and superstars.” Floyd finished the championship two strokes ahead of Lanny Wadkins and Chip Beck, who both tied the course record of 65 set earlier in the day by Mark Calcavecchia, a young professional who caddied in the last Open. Lee Trevino and Hal Sutton, who started the day one stroke behind the third-round leader, Greg Norman, of Australia, both carded one-over-par 71s yesterday and finished tied at 282. Leading scores (players United States unless noted).— 279 — Ray Floyd, 75, 68, 70, 66. 281 — Chip Beck 75, 73, 68, 65; Lanny Wadkins 74, 70, 72, 65. 282 — Lee Trevino 74, 68, 69, 71; Hal Sutton 75, 70, 66, 71, 283 — Ben Crenshaw 76, 69, 69, 69; Payne Stewart 76, 68, 69, 70. 284 — Jack Nicklaus 77, 72, 67, 68;. Bernhard Langer (West Germany) 74, 70, 70, 70; Mark McCumber 74, 71, 68, 71; Bob Tway 70, 73, 69, 72. 285 — Denis Watson (South Africa 72, 70, 71, 72; Greg Norman (Australia) 71, 68, 71, 75.

287 — Mark Calcavecchia 75, 75, 72, 65.