CRENSHAW LEADS PGA: The Michigan Daily-Saturday, August 4, 1979-Page 11
Gentle Ben is living up to his rep
By BOB EMORY Australian David Graham. Open at Lytham St. Annes for instance, was able to capitalize. "I didn't play as
spalto the Daily SO AGAIN Crenshaw is in strong con- Crenshaw had the lead at one point well today as I did yesterday but I put-
BIRMINGHAM-There is something tention to win his first major champion- during the final nine but he double ted much better," said Graham, whose
incongruous about a player nicknamed ship, something everyone thought he bogied the 17th hole while eventual vic- rounds of 69-68 keep him right in the
Gentle Ben leading the PGA champion- would have done at least a couple of tor Severiano Ballesteros birdied it thick of things. "The greens were faster
ship on a course nicknamed the 'mon- times since he graduated from- the and went on to win by three strokes. and smoother today and that gave me
ster.' University of Texas in 1973 after win- "I believe I'm'playing well," said the confidence to rap the ball'at the hole."
But there was Ben Crenshaw's name ning three consecutive NCAA titles and Austin, Texas native. "You have to WHILE GRAHAM was busy putting
atop the leader board after two rounds the first PGA tour event he played learn by your mistakes. You have to his way to six birdies for the day
in the 61st PGA at Oakland Hills in-the San Antonio-Texas Open. knock on the door a few times before another player, 29 year old nonwinner
yesterday. He cruised around the 7014 Gentle Ben has come close to winning you go in. I'm not saying I deserve to Rex Caldwell, was busy imitating
yard layout in 33-34 for a three under several majors in his seven year pro win-but I'd really love to. This course scrambled eggs as he fought his way to
par 67 and a two day total of 136, good career but just hasn't been able to come has had some great champions." an even par 70 for a 137 total. "It wasn't
enough for a one stroke lead over a tno up with the key shots when he needed quite the same as yesterday," said
of pros-Jay Haas, Rex Caldwell and them. Two weeks ago in the British CRENSHAW ATTRIBUTED his near Caldwell. "I did a lot of work-a lot of
flawless round (only two bogies, one scrambling out there. I hit four or five
coming at the first hole and the other at bad shots and luckily, only one really
the 17th) to strong iron play, a definite hurt me when I bunkered my approach
must for good scoring on this course. He shot at seven."
made a one footer for birdie on the One back of Graham, Haas and
second hole, a 20 footer at the difficult Caldwell are four players, including
par-four eighth, a five footer at nine and first round leader Tom Watson who
a pair of 16 footers at 12 and 15. "I'm never seemed to get going right from
hitting some real good iron shots and the start. He bogied the first hole, then
making the putts I have to," he said. the fifth and eighth before he salvaged
For the second day in a row, 15 a birdie on the par three 17th hole to
players managed to shoot subpar roun- stagger into the clubhouse with a 72 and
ds on a course which has yet to have a a two round total of 139.
winner finish under par in any of the Also at 139 is Bruce Lietzke, Jerry
five previous major championships (always play well in the majors) Pate
played here. Still, most of the players and Alan Tapie, who tied the com-
felt the course played tougher than in petitive course with a 65. George Ar-
the first round due to difficult pin cher had set the mark in the 1964
placements and a general drying out Carling World Open.
from the sun which finally came "I had a few other course records,"
out-for brief spells anyway-after the said Tapie, who would have ended up
rains of the last few days had softened playing baseball if not for a career-
up the greens. ending elbow injury, "but this is the
And since the greens firmed up and PGA and Oakland Hills so it means
produced truer rolls, David Graham something."
AP HLD OERE2AT WEE
Mon-Tue.-Wed.-Thur. 7:25-9:25
Sat.-Sun.-Wed.
Theare Pone60s 4161:25-3:25-5:25-7:25-9:25
a
JACK NICKLAUS (above) is pictured in an intense moment after his chip to
the second green at Oakland Hills yesterday during the second round of the
PGA. Nicklaus, however, remains off the pace, shooting five over par.
Red Wings acquire
Mahovlieh for Libett
> DETROIT (AP) - Veteran Detroit Red Wings left-Wing Nick Libett
was traded yesterday to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for center '
Peter Mahovlich, the two National Hockey League clubs announced.
g Mahovlich's best season was in 1974-75, when he had 35 goals and 82
assists for the Montreal Canadiens.
{ Libett's best season was 1971-72, when he scored 31 goals and assisted
on 22 others.
Red Wings General Manager Ted Lindsay said:
"We are strong on the left side with Paul Woods, Errol Thompson,
Danny Labraaten, newly acquired Glen Hicks and'George Lyle, plus
some youngsters who have a shot at our club. But we need help at center
ice; the kind of help a big, talented center like Pete can give us. He is a'
play-maker, strong in front of the net, and can kill penalties. Pittsburgh,
on the other hand, wanted help on the
* U