Golf Roundup : Allem Shoots 69 for 3-Stroke Lead

Fulton Allem of South Africa, the longshot in the eight-golfer field, shot a three-under-par 69 Friday to build a three-stroke lead midway through the winner-take-all Million Dollar Challenge at Sun City, South Africa.

Looking calm as he pursued the biggest prize in golf history, Allem shook off a double-bogey 6 on the eighth hole and finished the second round at 135, the best 36-hole total ever in the six-year-old tournament.

“If anyone’s going to catch me, they’re going to have to come at me,” said Allem, who led by one stroke after an opening-round 66.

Tied for second place were Ian Woosnam of Britain and Bernhard Langer of West Germany with 138s. Langer won a $50,000 bonus for the day’s best round with a 68, while Woosnam, alone in second after the first round, had a 71.

In fourth place was British Open champion Nick Faldo of England, whose 71 gave him a 139 total.

David Frost of South Africa had a 140 after two rounds of 70. Tied at 141 were Jose-Maria Olazabal of Spain, whose 73 was the first over-par round of the tournament, and Curtis Strange, who shot a 69.

Last was Lanny Wadkins, who shot a 72 for a 143 total.

Except for the four daily bonuses for the lowest round, only the winner of the tournament will get a check Sunday.

Ronnie Black and Dawn Coe, both former Lamar University golf stars, overcame gusty conditions to shoot their second 66 and take a two-stroke lead halfway through the $650,000 Mixed Team tournament at Largo, Fla.

After Thursday’s perfect playing conditions, the field of 50 teams battled a swirling wind gusting to 25 m.p.h. on the Bardmoor Country Club course. Black and Coe combined for six birdies without a bogey to stand at 132.

While first-round leaders Kenny Perry and Sally Little slumped to a 73 and fell three strokes behind, three teams moved within two shots of the lead--Steve Jones and Jane Crafter; Robert Wrenn and Rosie Jones, and Mark McCumber and Debbie Massey.

Bruce Devlin shot a course-record nine-under-par 63 to take a one-stroke lead with a 137 total after two rounds of the Mauna Lani Seniors tournament at Mauna Lani, Hawaii.

Devlin had nine birdies and no bogeys.

Bob Charles was second at 138 after shooting a 70. Orville Moody birdied the 18th hole for a 70 and a total of 139, two shots ahead of Dave Hill, who also shot a 70.