On a Saturday afternoon when the weather turned inclement, the story line remained incredible. It wasn`t enough for Tze-Chung Chen to prove he could walk on water. He had to go out and break par, too.
Oblivious to pelting rains, swirling winds, unseasonable temperatures in the 50s and, above all, pressure, the thermometer-thin 26-year-old from Taiwan shot another steady 69 over soggy Oakland Hills Country Club to gain a two-stroke advantage over Andy North after three rounds of the 85th U.S. Open.
Since recording the first double eagle in tournament history on his second hole Thursday, this smiling and innocent mystery man from the Far East has created new and improbable waves through the changing world of professional golf. More future shock might be in order, however.
”We could all be in for a big surprise,” cautioned tour veteran Johnny Miller. ”This little Chen sure doesn`t seem too nervous out there. He could just go out there and win this thing.”
Already, Chen`s 54-hole aggregate of 7-under par 203 has equaled the Open mark established by George Burns in 1981 at Merion, Pa. Should Chen prevail, he will be only the fifth player to lead an Open after each round. The last was Tony Jacklin in 1970. Before him, legends such as Walter Hagen and Ben Hogan accomplished the feat.
Furthermore, if Chen betters par a fourth straight day, he will become just the second Open champion ever to do so. Lee Trevino–the 1968 victor at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y.–stands alone in the category, and he, along with many other members of the game`s Who`s Who, have long since departed Oakland Hills for drier climes.
”I hope it keeps raining,” said Chen. ”Often in Taiwan the weather is just like this. If the weather is perfect tomorrow, someone might shoot 60 or 61 and catch me.”
Conditions are supposed to improve Sunday, which is not to say that Chen`s status will waver from quo. He`s had nines of 31, 34, 34, 35, 33 and 36 over this revered Oakland Hills monster. He`s hit 32 fairways. He`s required only 84 putts. He`s incurred but seven bogeys. And he`s still got his head on as straight as he`s driving the ball.
”I know my family knows what`s happening back home,” he said. ”But I don`t want to call back there until I win.”
Even if the skies turn blue, however, there might not be a clear answer as to how or why a contenders` list such as the current one evolved at America`s most prestigious golf event on a layout that`s getting longer as it gets wetter. After three days, only four players have managed subpar aggregates. They are:
— Chen, who has earned a paltry $162,810 since joining the PGA Tour in 1983. He didn`t start playing golf until age 17. His best finish last year was sixth at the Western Open. His best finish ever was a tie for second at the 1983 Kemper Open. His best finish this year was a tie for 12th at the San Diego Open.
— North, whose 1978 Open conquest counts for half his victories in 13 years on the circuit. Last season, the Madison, Wis., native was 149th on the money list. But he`s shot rounds of 70, 65 and 70 at Oakland Hills and is
”delighted” to be in the hunt. He`s also delighted to be putting well. Saturday, he canned a 60-footer for his only birdie.
— Dave Barr, who fired a 70 Saturday for a 208 total, five swings behind Chen. A Canadian, Barr has one trophy in eight years–the 1981 Quad Cities Open. He has averaged less than $45,000 per season on the tour, probably just enough to pay his expenses.
— Rick Fehr, whose 73 Saturday put him at 1-under 209, or six shots back. He graduated from Brigham Young University last August, failed to obtain his tour card last fall and has participated in only two other events, for which he received $8,591. He`s 22 and greener than this leafy suburb.
Besides that unlikely foursome, the best of the rest literally are scrambling to stay above water. Seve Ballesteros, Tom Kite and Denis Watson are all grouped at 210. For any of them to win, a charge will be required, coupled with a breakdown by Chen. Ballesteros has visions of just such a scenario.
”I think he might come back to the field a little tomorrow,” said the dashing Spaniard after his 69. ”With even par going to the last round, I think I`m in good position. You can`t be too aggressive on this course. You have to be patient. I could shoot 68 and win. But if Chen keeps playing the way he is, he`ll win.”
North also gave Chen a nod, asserting that this visitor bidding to become the 21st foreign-born Open king ”is a lot better player than a lot of people think.” Though he declined to protect himself with much foul-weather gear, the hatless North admitted some sunshine Sunday would suit him just fine.
Ballesteros, an excellent rain player whose shots have a high trajectory and land softly, would settle for more muck. ”Anybody can play in sunshine,” he chided. He would prefer a quieter gallery, though. Ballesteros bogeyed No. 18 when he missed a three-foot putt. ”Somebody in the bleachers yelled, and I lost concentration,” he claimed.
Chen, who began the round with a one-stroke margin, had his card down to 8-under when he approached No. 17. He smacked a poor 1-iron into a greenside bunker but almost holed out his sand blast. With a two-footer to save par, Chen lost his concentration upon address when raindrops cascaded down from the brim of his cap. So much for his human frailties.
”If I win, I will feel very, very happy,” promised T.C. ”You never know. There`s still one day to go. I`ll try my best. A player from the Far East has never won this tournament. It would be a very nice thing for my country.”
Chen was asked if a U.S. Open championship might make him the most famous athlete in Taiwan, even bigger than those youngsters who come to the United States and win the Little League World Series with some regularity.
”Oh, yes,” said Tze-Chung Chen, the mystery man who came in from the cold.
