Golf Roundup : Norman Reaches Final of International Tournament

Greg Norman scored an eagle on the 17th hole and forgot about it.

Norman made his way into the final of the peculiar International golf tournament Saturday at Castle Rock, Colo., and immediately started talking about today.

“Now it’s on to the Super Bowl,” Norman said. “The playoffs are over, and we’re going to the Super Bowl.”

The field of 72 has been reduced to 24 players who will compete today for the bulk of the $1-million purse, of which $180,000 goes to the winner.

No scores are carried over. All start at zero under the modified Stableford scoring system, in which an eagle is worth five points, a birdie scores two, a bogey costs one point and a double bogey and higher cost a player three points. Pars are worth nothing.

It took six points Saturday to make the final round.

Norman was at six points through 16 holes, then hit a six-iron second shot eight feet from the cup and made the putt for an eagle three on the 17th. He finished with 11 points, making his final putt just moments before a thunderstorm caused a one-hour delay.

Norman was joined at 11 points by Chip Beck and Ben Crenshaw.

Ted Schulz led all players with 14 points after making seven birdies in a bogey-free round.

Jack Nicklaus made a four-foot bogey putt on the final hole and finished with six points.

“It looked like a very long putt,” he said.

Tom Kite also was in danger of leaving early but birdied two of the last three holes to finish with nine points.

Among those who didn’t make the final were Ryder Cup captain Ray Floyd, Lee Trevino and Craig Stadler.

Al Geiberger shot his second straight four-under-par 68 to take a two-stroke lead over Mike Hill and Dave Hill in the $350,000 GTE Northwest tournament at Seattle.

Geiberger had a 136 total after 36 holes on the 6,501-yard Inglewood Country Club course. Mike Hill shot a 66, matching the lowest round of the day, while his older brother, Dave, had a 70.

Bob Erickson also shot a 66 and was tied at 139 with Frank Beard and first-round leader Miller Barber. Beard shot a 70, but Barber slipped to a 74.

Peter Senior of Australia shot a seven-under-par 65 and took a three-stroke lead after three rounds of the $500,000 PLM Open at Malmo, Sweden.

Brian Henninger of Eugene, Ore., shot his second consecutive six-under-par 66 to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Queen Mary Open at Lakewood Country Club.

Henninger’s 200 total, 16 under par, was one better than the tournament record for 54 holes set by John McComish last year.

Kevin Sutherland of Sacramento was second at 202 after shooting a 69.

Ted Lehmann of Simi Valley was third at 204 after shooting a 68.