Bernhard Langer, one of the world`s most patient golfers, shot a 2-under par 70 in relative seclusion Saturday to assume a stroke lead over Mark Calcavecchia entering the final round of the 28th Bob Hope Classic.
Langer, the 29-year-old West German whose first victory in the United States was the 1985 Masters, made it through 18 quiet holes at Bermuda Dunes Country Club while most desert spectators chose a different locale, the controversial PGA West stadium course.
There, the celebrity field attempted to negotiate the beast, and the beast won, again. Despite the fact that tees were moved up to accommodate double-digit handicappers, brisk winds and immovable tortures contributed to a tedious afternoon for the normally quick-paced PGA Tour members, each of whom was in a foursome with three amateurs.
Tom Watson, one of the fastest players on the circuit, was in a group immediately behind one featuring quipster-host Bob Hope, former President Gerald Ford and former Speaker of the House Tip O`Neill.
Their round could best be described as adventurous, and Watson`s was downright long–as in six hours. The Hope Classic is never a track meet, but PGA West`s debut as a venue added only more sand and water to the footing.
”I`m playing like the Cubs play,” said a smiling Watson to a Chicago bystander. ”All day.”
On Sunday, however, the Telly Savalases, Willie Mayses and Dan Rostenkowskis will repair to the infirmary while only pros handle the concluding round of the 90-hole event in quest of that juicy first prize, $126,000. PGA West will be the stage for that closing act, but Langer figures to be calm as ever. He had a 4-under-par 68 there Friday in raw conditions.
”I`m used to a lot worse weather than this in Europe,” said Langer.
”I`m also fortunate, because I hit a low ball. I have my own idea how to play PGA West, and I plan to stay with it. You can`t be too aggressive. The main thing for me tomorrow will be to not go over par, if possible. Someone could still make a charge, but it`s awfully hard to shoot a 65 or 66 out here –even with perfect conditions.”
Saturday was by no means inclement, though natives still reacted to 65-degree temperature with furs and gloves. On an easier course, Langer anticipated padding his three-shot lead after three rounds, but he did not strike the ball particularly well and settled for a ”boring” effort: 16 pars between birdies at Nos. 1 and 18 for an aggregate of 272, 16 under par. Calcavecchia, also at Bermuda Dunes, fired a 66 for 273.
”It`s been a strange week,” said Calcavecchia. ”I shot 40 for nine holes at PGA West yesterday and was just trying to break 80. Then I shot 31 for the next nine. I still don`t like the golf course, but we all have to play it tomorrow, and the guy who wins might shoot 75. Who knows out here?”
Corey Pavin, with a 66 at Indian Wells, and Jeff Sluman, off his 67 at Tamarisk, are at 274, two strokes behind Langer. David Edwards and Willie Wood are at 276.
Raymond Floyd, runner-up to Langer at daybreak, lost ground. Not coincidentally, he was at PGA West Saturday, taking 74 in the company of George Brett, who was having a wonderful time skipping shots off lakes.
”I`ve picked up more balls today than I would during a double-header,”
said the Kansas City Royals` third baseman.
Langer contends that PGA West is a worthy challenge, though he believes certain horrors are exaggerated.
”There are a couple of places where they`ve overdone it,” he said.
”Like that thing at No. 16.”
Langer`s reference was to a bunker 19 feet deep. Lee Trevino, who played the Skins Game at PGA West in late November, offered a solution.
”If you land in there, first you have to yell, `Fore!` ” said Trevino, who is working the Hope telecast. ”Then, when the rest of the guys in your group duck, you throw the ball out.”
