Notebook : Sheehan Has Some Rough Times

Patty Sheehan enters today’s final round of the Uniden LPGA Invitational at Mesa Verde Country Club in third place, five strokes behind leader Laura Baugh.

Sheehan, however, has no idea how she got there.

“I get this feeling I should not have made the cut,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know the trees real well this tournament.”

Sheehan hit into the Mesa Verde woods on holes 1, 2, 5, 11 and 17. She hit into the rough on holes 4 and 6. On the 12th hole, she plunked a ball into a water hazard.

“This is so unlike me,” said Sheehan, who placed fourth in the Uniden last year.

Somehow, Sheehan managed to shoot a two-under 70 for a three-day total of 211.

“Actually, I guess I was lucky,” she said. “Every time I hit into the trees, I had some sort of shot to the green. I just didn’t have to chip out onto the fairway.”

Still, Sheehan says she’ll be playing tomorrow sans one club.

“I’m changing drivers tomorrow,” she said. “I don’t know how much good it will do, but if my driver can consistently give me good shots, I might have a chance tomorrow.”

As Sheehan talked to reporters about her off-road adventures, someone asked if a long scratch on her left cheek had been caused by an excursion into the wild.

“Sorry. I just woke up with it this morning,” she said. “I wish I could tell you that I went into the trees and found a mountain lion waiting for me. But no. I wish I had a better story for you.”

Sheehan did have one confrontation with wildlife. Those of the webb-footed variety.

It happened on the 18th green, which borders a water hazard. The hazard is home to several ducks.

Cathy Morse, a member of Sheehan’s threesome, was ready to attempt a five-foot putt when five ducks waddled directly across the middle of the green, disturbing her concentration.

Tournament officials quickly rustled the varmints off the green, but when Morse stood over the putt for the second time, the ducks made another charge.

“It looked like the ducks were going to attack that ball,” tournament volunteer Gene Cook said. “And then here came Patty.”

Sheehan, putter in hand and arms extended, chased the ducks back into the lake, accompanied by a giant roar from the gallery.

“That was the biggest cheer I heard all day,” Cook said.

Saturday night, tournament leader Laura Baugh promised champagne to all members of the press if she wins the tournament. Her offer brought back memories of “Champagne” Tony Lema, who won the fourth Orange County PGA Open at Mesa Verde in 1962.

Before the last day of that tournament, Lema had made the same champagne promise to the press. He defeated Bob Rosburg on the third hole of sudden death, and made good on his offer.

“But I think there’s a lot more people covering this tournament,” said Howard Handy, tournament media representative, who witnessed Lema’s victory.

“If she wins, Laura will have to buy a few more bottles than Tony did.”

Baugh, who made several long putts Saturday, was asked why she does not confer with her caddy before putting.

“I never do,” she said. “It’s just not my style. Nothing against him. He’s real cute. His name is Speedway. I didn’t know why they called him Speedway . . . then I found out he was from Indianapolis.”