GOLF ROUNDUP : Sheehan Splashes to Record

Patty Sheehan shattered the U.S. Women’s Open record for 36 holes Saturday when she completed a two-day round of four-under-par 68 to take a six-shot lead in the rain-plagued event.

The leading money winner on the LPGA Tour this year faces a 36-hole test today.

“I’m very happy with my position,” Sheehan said after her 10-under-par 134 score for two trips around the 6,298-yard Riverside Course at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, Ga.

USGA officials said it was believed to be the first time a player ever was 10-under in the Women’s Open. She broke the 36-hole scoring record of 138 set last year by Betsy King.

An overnight rain kept players off the course until Saturday afternoon and limited play to those players finishing their second rounds. Sheehan played 15 holes Saturday.

She held the lead over Jane Geddes, the 1986 Open champion who needed 12 hours and endured two rain delays before completing a 74 on Friday that left her at 140.

Scott Verplank is enjoying playing “catch me” instead of catch up, in the Bank of Boston Classic PGA tournament at Sutton, Mass.

“At least I don’t have to pass anyone tomorrow,” Verplank said after he retained a one-stroke lead with a three-under-par 68 for a 54-hole score of 203, 10 strokes under regulation, at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

In a bid for his first tour victory since the 1988 Buick Open, Verplank had a one-stroke lead over Brian Tennyson, who finished a bogey-free third round with birdies on the last two holes.

At 206, three strokes back, were Mike Smith, Sam Randolph, Willie Wood and Clarence Rose.

More than 20 players have a shot at the $90,000 winner’s check in the Kroger Senior Classic at Mason, Ohio, co-leader Lee Trevino said after play was rained out.

“You’ve got to go all the way to the two-unders--at least a dozen guys,” Trevino said. “It would be difficult to come from even par.”

After Trevino and Dave Hill, who are tied at six-under-par 65, there are 21 other players who were at least two under par after Friday’s round.

The $600,000 tournament was also halted by rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

One stroke behind the leaders were Joe Jimenez, a 64-year-old lifetime club pro; Walt Zembriski, a retired ironworker; and John Paul Cain, a stockbroker from Houston.

Welshman Ian Woosnam won back-to-back golf tournaments for the first time when he shot a final-round 68 to win the $680,000 Scottish Open at Gleneagles.

Woosnam moved away from the field to a 19-under 269 for a four-stroke victory over Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe.