Waldorf Opens 7-Shot Lead in Amateur Event

Duffy Waldorf of Tarzana followed his course-record 64 Thursday with a third-round 1-under-par 71 Friday to open a 7-stroke lead in the Rice Planters Golf Tournament at the Snee Farm Country Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Waldorf, the 1985 college player of the year from UCLA, will begin today’s final round with a 14-under-par 202.

“It feels good to be out in front,” Waldorf said. “I expected to have a good tournament.”

So far, it’s been great.

Waldorf began the four-day tournament Wednesday with a 5-under-par 67. Thursday, he improved on that impressive performance.

Of his record-setting second round, Waldorf said: “It was special, but I once shot a 62. The best thing about Thursday was that it put me in a position to win.”

On Friday, Waldorf finished the front nine at 3-under-par after he bogeyed the 15th and 16th holes.

“I wasn’t being pressed by anybody,” Waldorf said. “So, I didn’t feel the urge to go out and shoot as well as I’m capable. Tomorrow, I’m basically going to worry about myself and play against the course.

“I’m gonna go out and play each shot as well as I can.”

And Waldorf, who will turn professional in September or October, is shooting for more than a tournament win.

“The main reason I’m playing amateur is to make the Walker Cup team,” Waldorf said. “There have been indications that I’m definitely in the running for a spot on the team. If I can win this tournament, it will be that much more to my advantage.”

The Walker Cup, which is the amateur equivalent of the professional Ryder Cup, will be played in Pine Valley, N.J., in late August. The team will be selected later this month.

Phillip McCormick of Augusta, Ga., and Brian Watts from Carrollton, Texas are tied for second place at 209. McCormick shot a 70 in Friday’s third round on the 6,825-yard course, while Watts shot a 3-under-par 69.

Five golfers are tied for third place at 5-under-par 211: Mike Mielke of Lawrence, N.Y., who shot a 67 Friday along with Karl Zoller of Chesterland, Ohio; Cary Splane of Middleburg, Fla., who shot a 71; Kevin Whipple of Duncan, Okla., who shot an even-par 72; and Larry Boswell of Greensboro, N.C., who also had a 72 in the third round.