Steadiness Has Been the Mark of Pat Bradley’s LPGA Success : * Golf: Leader in the ’91 standings in seven major categories is one victory away from Hall of Fame.

On the eve of a tournament that could escort her into the LPGA Hall of Fame, Pat Bradley fumbled in the course of a simple act, one she has performed thousands of times. As she took off her cleats Wednesday, Bradley cleated herself, gashing her right leg on the outside part of the shin.

The wound begged for stitches, but a doctor told Bradley that the skin was too fragile to hold them. The doctor fitted her with a rectangular bandage of about 3-by-4 inches, saw that she got a tetanus shot and sent her out to conquer the MBS LPGA tournament at Los Coyotes Country Club.

Bradley played the course to a draw anyway, shooting a par 72 Thursday that put her four strokes behind the leaders when play was called because of lightning.

“My arm is a little sore, but it’s nothing that’s impairing me,” Bradley said, adding that her leg felt fine. “It was one of those freak-type accidents. I was taking off my cleats and stepped on the edge of this one and somehow gouged my leg.”

Despite the injury, her round was a model of steadiness. She had 16 pars, one bogey and one birdie.

“I couldn’t quite get the speed of the greens, or the feel of the greens,” she said. “I felt pretty good. It was pretty solid.”

Solid has been the story of her season.

At 40, Bradley sits atop the LPGA standings in seven major categories, including the earnings list, player-of-the-year standings and scoring average. She has played 88 rounds and been under par 57 times, with 27 rounds in the 60s. She has played 24 events and finished in the top 10 of all but five.

Her victory last week at the Safeco LPGA tournament in Seattle was her third of the season and the 29th of her career. It put her on the doorstep of the Hall of Fame, which she will enter automatically with her next tournament victory.

“One more to go,” Bradley said before the tournament. “I have to be patient, take one week at a time, wait for my number to come up and that will be No. 30.”

Amy Alcott, also one victory shy of the Hall of Fame, shot a one-under 71 Thursday and is three strokes back.

“We’re rooting each other on,” Bradley said.

Bradley, who has the distinction of being the first player to reach $2 million, $3 million and $4 million in winnings, joined the tour in 1974, and has won more than $100,000 every year since 1978 except for 1988, when she won $15,965.

That year, her scoring average rose to 75.19 and she didn’t finish any better than a tie for 11th. Eventually, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

With that problem treated, she won more than $400,000 in 1989 and 1990.

Then came this season. Already she has won $694,027, by far the most of her career. Meg Mallon, No. 2 in earnings, is almost $200,000 behind her.

Retire?

“I haven’t found any other job that will pay me $600,000,” Bradley said.

The Buena Park tournament will pay $52,500 to the winner. But victory would mean a lot more to Pat Bradley--or Amy Alcott.

Bradley’s 72 on Thursday doesn’t set her back much. She won last week by shooting 69-67-72-72.

She has three days to play, and an arm and a leg on the mend.

“I’m happy this day is over with,” Bradley said. “And I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”