Patty Sheehan Seeks Second Straight Putting Title Oct. 19-20 in Las Vegas

In the five-year history of the $100,000 J&B; Gold Putter Award Playoff, no winner has ever been able to win consecutive championships.

Defending champion Patty Sheehan was asked how she would prepare to break this pattern and win the $50,000 first prize again Oct. 19-20 at the Desert Inn Country Club & Spa in Las Vegas.

“I may not touch a putter for a month,” she replied, laughing. Noting a skeptical look, the pixieish Sheehan added, “Seriously, I seem to do my best putting in the J&B; Playoff when I prepare the least. I don’t think there’s any real way you can prepare.

“It’s mostly a matter of staying relaxed,” Sheehan continued. There’s really not much you can do. You can’t force it. You try to put your best stroke on the ball and let it go.”

Patty has a valid analysis, as frivolous as it may sound.

Hall of Famer Sandra Haynie, a final-hour replacement for Muffin Spencer-Devlin, who couldn’t get out of a previous commitment in Japan, had absolutely no practice until she arrived at the Desert Inn. “I just played it by ear,” she said. Sandy consecutively eliminated five opponents and completed the first sweep in the J&B; Gold Putter Award Playoff in 1953.

Beth Daniel won in 1982 after almost not showing up in Las Vegas. “Honestly,” she said, “I was putting so bad, I seriously thought about staying home. I didn’t want to go way out there and embarrass myself.”

She didn’t, but had to endure some hectic moments. After losing in an earlier match to the great JoAnne Carner, Daniel came back to beat the Hall of Famer in a 36-hole final.

After that pulsating match, Carner said, “This is more nerve-wracking than playing in the U.S. Open.”

Sheehan didn’t disagree. “The J&B; Playoff is so difficult because you can’t get your aggressions out. If you blow a makeable putt in a tournament you can smash your drive on the next hole. But in this you have pent-up emotions that are tough to release.

On her march to the J&B; tiara, Sheehan had to beat 1980 champion Pat Bradley twice, no easy feat. She beat Bradley in the fourth round, 2 up, and then, 5 and 4 in a 36-hole final. In her opening round she nipped Joan Joyce, 1 up, then beat Rosie Jones, 3 and 2, and Ayako Okamoto, 2 up.

Sheehan is one of the infrequent Las Vegas visitors who comes away with plenty of money in her purse.

After winning the Playoff last October and collecting $50,000, she returned in April and won the J&B; Scotch Pro-Am. Patty collected $30,000 for winning the four-day LPGA 72-hole tournament.

Did she think the prize money was disproportionate because she worked two more days to win the tournament?

“No, I don’t think so,” she replied. “The Playoff is a special event. It goes on for the whole year, and everyone on the LPGA Tour is involved. The winner should be appropriately rewarded. It makes sense.”

The seven best putters of 1985 after a minimum of 70 rounds, the seven players who have the best birdie averages in tournaments, and the top eagle maker qualify with the defending champion in a field of 16.

Competition is double elimination, match play. First prize is $50,000; second, $15,000; third, $7,500; and fourth, $5,000.

The putting and birdie-making champions are given a $5,000 bonus, while each of the other 14 contestants receives $1,000.

Admission is free to the public.