Golf Roundup : Okamoto Makes a Major Move, Leads by One Shot

Ayako Okamoto’s career is like a puzzle with a single piece missing.

She has never won a major championship, but she moved a step closer to that goal Saturday by shooting a three-under-par 69 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA Championship at Mason, Ohio.

“This tournament is special to me because it is a major,” said Okamoto, who had a 54-hole total of 206. “I must get a major . . . so I can go back to Japan and be proud of myself, and all of the Japanese people will be proud of me.”

Patty Sheehan, who won LPGA titles in 1983 and ‘84, was one stroke back after a 66, lowest score of the day. Nancy Lopez shot a 68 and moved within two shots of the lead, tied with Betsy King, who had a 72.

Okamoto, who has finished tied for third in each of the last three LPGA Championships, shot her worst round of the week on the final day of each of those tournaments.

Okamoto, 38, is 10th on the LPGA career money-earning list with more than $1.5 million, but her best finish this year has been a tie for 13th in the AI Star Centinela Hospital tournament five weeks ago. She is 62nd on the 1989 money list.

Ian Baker-Finch of Australia made two birdies on the final four holes in a round of 65 and took a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the Colonial National Invitation tournament at Ft. Worth.

Baker-Finch, who had a 54-hole score of 200, held a one-stroke lead over Nick Price with four holes left but sank a 30-foot putt on the 15th hole and made another birdie while Price took a bogey at No. 17.

Price was alone at 204 after a 68, followed by Isao Aoki of Japan, who was at 206 after a 66. Clarence Rose, who shot a 69, was the leading American at 207, tied with David Frost of South Africa, who had a 71.

Defending champion Bob Charles shot a five-under-par 65 and took a four-stroke lead in the second round of the $300,000 Commemorative Seniors tournament at Scarborough, N.Y.

Charles, 53, a native of New Zealand, who had an eagle and five birdies, was at 128.

Bruce Crampton, who had the day’s best round, a 64, was at 132 and tied with Don Bies, who shot a 67.