Golf Roundup : Couples Shoots 68, Leads Frost by One

Fred Couples shot a three-under-par 68 Saturday and held a one-stroke lead over South African David Frost after three rounds of the $700,000 Heritage golf tournament at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Couples, who appeared to be on his way to a commanding lead, squandered a couple of shots when he three-putted from 5 feet for a double-bogey 5 on the 17th hole.

Frost, a frequent challenger but not yet a winner in four seasons on the PGA Tour, birdied the 16th and completed a four-shot swing over the last three holes with a birdie putt of about 30 feet on No. 18.

“I’d already written down a (bogey) 4 on the scorecard,” Frost said of the 17th hole.

“My caddy had an eraser in the bag. I just rubbed out the 4 and wrote in a 5,” he said after Couples missed a nonchalant little slap at a 6-inch putt.

The miss helped turn a potential runaway into a race. Couples, a playoff loser at Phoenix earlier this season, completed 54 holes at 201, which was 12 under par on the Harbour Town Golf Links.

Frost, tied with Couples after two rounds, had a 69 for a 202.

Gil Morgan, who hasn’t finished lower than eighth this season, birdied his last two holes to come in with a 69 that lifted him into third place at 204.

Greg Norman and Chip Beck were at 205. Norman three-putted from 3 feet for a double bogey on the 11th hole and had to work hard to match par 71.

Rookie Jim Hallet, who equaled the course record with a 63 Friday, was at 206 after a 71.

Masters champion Sandy Lyle chipped in for an eagle 3 and played his front side in 32. But he could do no better than match par with a 35 on the back nine, all but ending his hopes for a rare third consecutive victory. He was at 209, eight shots behind Couples.

Former quarterback John Brodie, seeking his first victory on the PGA Seniors Tour, fired a four-under-par 68 to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Doug Sanders Celebrity tournament at Houston.

Brodie, who shot a 69 Friday to tie for the lead with Bobby Nichols, made five birdies and a bogey for a two-round total of 137. Nichols shot a 69 and was at 138.

Chi Chi Rodriguez was two strokes back after a 69. Miller Barber was at 140, with Walter Zembriski next at 141.

Ron Commans of Westlake Village, Calif., shot a par 72 in the third round of the $367,000 Cannes Open for a 54-hole total of 210 and will take a two-stroke lead into today’s final round at Cannes, France.