Rose Plays Up a Storm in Florida Gale to Share a One-Stroke Lead With Bean

Clarence Rose rode a hard-won round of par 72 through gale-force winds and into a tie for the lead in the $500,000 Honda golf tournament Saturday on the TPC course at Eagle Trace.

“My best 72, and one of my top 10 career rounds,” said Rose, now in his sixth season on the PGA Tour. “It was a great score today--like a 65.”

In the face of the extreme winds--30 m.p.h. with gusts to 45--it was a remarkable achievement. Only one other golfer, Mike Reid, was able to match it. No one bettered it.

Rose had a three-round total of 215, tying him for the lead with Andy Bean, who struggled to a 77. Bean hit what he called “maybe the best shot I ever hit”--a 3-wood second shot that set up a one-foot birdie putt on the 18th.

Payne Stewart was next at 216 after a 73.

Kenny Knox, the longshot who led through the first two rounds, shot an 80 and remained in contention. He was tied at a 217 with Jodie Mudd, who had a 75, a score that Stewart called “around par today.”