Golf Roundup : Irish Mistake Helps U.S. Reach Final

Tom Kite converted mistakes by Ireland’s Christy O’Connor into a playoff victory Saturday to send the United States into the championship match in the Dunhill Cup at St. Andrews, Scotland.

The 2-1 win over defending champion Ireland advanced the three-man U.S. team to today’s 36-hole final against Japan, a 2-1 upset winner over England as cold, blustery winds scoured the Old Course.

“It’s a shame it had to end on a catastrophe like that,” Kite said after O’Connor put his ball into a stream on the first extra hole of the decisive match after they each finished 18 holes in 71. “But I’ll take a win any way we can get it.

“Winning ugly is a whole lot better than losing pretty any time.”

Mark Calcavecchia put the United States ahead by defeating Philip Walton, 69-71, but Ronan Rafferty beat Curtis Strange with a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Bill Britton, seeking his first victory in nine seasons on the PGA Tour, shot a nine-under-par 63 to take a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the Centel tournament at Tallahassee, Fla.

Britton was at 16-under-par 200, within range of Jeff Sluman’s 1985 tournament record of 269, after making nine birdies in a bogey-free round.

Ronnie Black, who started the day one shot off the lead after consecutive 67s, had a 70 and was second at 204. Gary Hallberg shot a 66 and was third at 205.

Second-round leader Tom Pernice Jr., Mike Reid and Bill Buttner were at 206.

Beth Daniel shot a five-under-par 67 to take a three-stroke lead over Pat Bradley after two rounds of the LPGA San Jose tournament.

Daniel, who has won three tournaments in the last two months, enters today’s final round at 12-under-par 132, five shots better than the previous course record of 137 set by Sandra Haynie in 1982.

Daniel, third in money-winning on the LPGA tour this year, began the day with a one-stroke lead over Bradley after shooting a 65 Friday. Bradley, fourth on the tour in earnings this year, shot a 69 Saturday and was at 135.

Bob Charles shot a two-under-par 70 to retain a one-shot lead over Butch Baird after two rounds of the $300,000 Space Coast Senior tournament at Melbourne, Fla.

Charles had four birdies and two bogeys to go eight under par at 136 in a brisk wind and thick rough at the Suntree Country Club.

Baird, who shot a 70, came to the final hole tied with Charles but took a bogey.

Jim Dent, who had a 70, was next at 138.