U.S. OPEN : Morgan Nears a Milestone : Golf: He shoots 69 for a three-shot lead and could become first to go 10 under in Open history. Dillard is second.

By MAL FLORENCE

June 20, 1992 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. —

Gil Morgan’s pro career was stalled in 1986 when he had surgery on his left shoulder for a damaged rotator cuff.

He said he couldn’t lift his arm at one time, except with the aid of a pulley.

“I was talking about doing something else, going back to optometry,” Morgan said.

At 45, when most careers are winding down on the PGA Tour, Morgan is on the verge of some major achievements.

He shot a three-under-par 69 Friday at Pebble Beach in the U.S. Open for a 36-hole score of 135, nine under par.

Morgan has the opportunity to become the first player in Open history to go 10 under.

Only six other players have reached nine under: Ben Hogan, in 1948; Jack Nicklaus, 1980, and Tim Simpson, Scott Simpson, Jeff Sluman and Mike Donald in 1990.

Morgan can be the oldest Open winner. Hale Irwin was 45 years and 15 days when he won the Open in 1990. Morgan is 45 years, nine months.

As for the opportunity of going to 10 under par, Morgan said:

“I think that would be great. It would be kind of significant to put your name in the record book.”

Andy Dillard, the struggling pro from the Texas Tour playing in his first U.S. Open, remained in contention with a 70 and, at 138, is three strokes behind Morgan.

The highlight of his round came on the par-five 14th hole when he holed a wedge shot from about 25 yards for a birdie.

“That was my biggest luck,” he said. “If someone had promised me a six, I would have taken it and run to the next tee.

“I’m just pretty excited to just make the cut. I’m not worried about who is in front or behind me.”

Asked what was more important to him, winning an Open championship or collecting a first-prize check of $275,000, Dillard said he would opt for the money, with an apology to the United States Golf Assn.

He said he has been broke often in his life.

Raymond Floyd also is charging. The 49-year-old veteran, who won the Open in 1986, shot a 69 and, at 140, is five strokes behind Morgan.

Asked to assess his position, Floyd said he would be concerned if there were several players ahead of him, but there are only two.

“I’m very pleased to be four under par,” he said.

On a day when wind was a factor, especially on the ocean holes, Morgan recorded six birdies and three bogeys.

He was fortunate on the par-five, 548-yard 18th hole when his tee shot came perilously close to going into the ocean. However, the ball barely stayed on the fairway. He went on to get a par and barely missed his birdie putt.

“Yesterday, I played a lot more solidly than I did today,” he said, referring to his 66 on Thursday. “Today I just wasn’t as consistent. I wasn’t able to get the ball in the right places. I drove it a little worse and my irons weren’t as crisp.”

Others should have his problems.

Curtis Strange, who started the round one shot behind Morgan, had a 40 on the back nine and wound up with a 78 for a 145 total.

Phil Mickelson, who made an auspicious pro debut with a 68 on Thursday, had a triple bogey on the third hole, shot 40 for the front nine and finished with an 81.

Morgan, who joined the tour in 1977, had six victories going into the 1980s.

“I was playing pretty good and my game was on a high before my injury,” Morgan said. “I really feel I missed the best part of my career.”

Morgan said the rotator cuff injury was caused by the wear and tear of hitting golf balls.

When he came back to the tour after a nine-month layoff, it took him awhile to be effective again. He won the Kemper Open in 1990 and was 11th on the money list, earning $702,629.

Morgan said it is hard to keep his concentration at this stage in his career.

“My kids are of school age and I don’t like to leave my family,” said Morgan, who grew up in Wewoka, Okla., and now lives in Edmond, Okla.

However, he said he hasn’t lost his desire to play, the inactivity caused by his surgery providing motivation for him.

Will Morgan be able to retain his lead over the last 36 holes? He didn’t in the 1976 PGA championship. He had a four-stroke lead after 36 holes and wound up tied for eighth.

Asked indelicately if Morgan will crack, Floyd said: “You can lose an Open championship--or basically any championship--in any one, or two rounds, but I don’t think you can win it in any one or two rounds.”

Open Notes

The cut was at 147. Tom Watson, 75-73--148, and Jack Nicklaus, 77-74--151, missed. They were playing partners along with Hale Irwin, a three-time former Open champion. “After the round I told Jack that we were not the same golfers that we were 10 years ago,” Watson said, “but that it’s still a pleasure to play with you. He said that it was for him as well. Walking up the 18th fairway, I realized this is probably the last time we’ll see Jack and maybe me in the U.S. Open here. So I told Jack, ‘Let’s finish with a bang and make a birdie here.’ ” Watson made his birdie; Nicklaus had a double bogey. Said Nicklaus: “I’m very disappointed. I haven’t played well all year.” . . . John Daly also missed the cut with a 74-75--149. . . . When informed of Nick Faldo’s plight with the tree on the 14th hole, Mark O’Meara said, “I wish I could climb a tree.” O’Meara has won four Pebble Beach tournaments, but he had a 36-hole score of 148 and missed the cut. . . . Fred Couples, the Masters champion, shot a two-under par 70 and is at 142 for 36 holes. . . . Bob Burns, the former Cal State Northridge player, didn’t make the cut at 151. Neither did Mitch Voges, the U.S. Amateur champion from Simi Valley. He had a 36-hole score of 155.

Second-Round Scores

At the $1.5-million U.S. Open championship, played on the 6,809-yard, par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links.

LEADERS Player: Score

Gil Morgan: 66-69--135

Andy Dillard: 68-70--138

Raymond Floyd: 71-69--140

Wayne Grady: 74-66--140

Colin Montgomerie: 70-71--141

Anders Forsbrand: 71-70--141

Gary Hallberg: 71-70--141

Fred Couples: 72-70--142

Dan Forsman: 72-70--142