GOLF ROUNDUP : Daly’s Home Is His Castle Rock

Just when it seemed John Daly was going to fade from the spotlight, he found a home.

The Castle Pines Golf Club, site of Daly’s new home, proved to be the layout he was looking for after a year-long romp around the world following his 1991 PGA victory at Crooked Stick.

Daly scored 15 of his 31 points Saturday to lead the way into today’s final round with a record total at Castle Rock, Colo.

“I think that’s probably the best ball-striking, chipping and putting I’ve done all year,” Daly said. “It feels great to be able to play that way again.”

Points are awarded for the players score on each hole: eight for double eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for double bogey or worse.

Daly’s 54-hole collection, increased by an eagle, seven birdies and four bogeys before a boisterous horde of his new friends and neighbors, broke the tournament record of 29 set by Bobby Clampett last year.

All of those points are wiped out in the final round, however. Daly, who had a 10 “3’s” on his scorecard, and all others simply were competing for a place in the 24-man field that will be chasing most of a $1.2-million purse in the final round.

Daly one-putted 10 times, including a seven-footer for eagle at the par-five 17th.

Steve Pate, twice a runner-up in this event, and Greg Norman, who is seeking his first victory in more than two years, shared second place with 26 points each. They were followed by Billy Andrade at 23, and Mike Reid, Kirk Triplett and Dan Pohl at 21.

Kris Tschetter, who hasn’t won in five years on the LPGA tour, shot her second consecutive 69 to take the 36-hole lead in the Northgate Classic Saturday at Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Tschetter, at six-under-par 138, is a one-shot leader over Deb Richard. Laura Baugh, still looking for her first victory in 19 years on the tour, is three shots back at 141. Richard and Baugh each shot 70.

Amy Benz shot 69 and Kelly Robbins 70 for 142.

Defending champion Mike Hill shot a six-under-par 66 and took a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the GTE Northwest Classic at Kenmore, Wash.

Hill was at 135, nine-under par, one shot ahead of Kermit Zarley and Larry Laoretti.

Gene Littler eagled a playoff hole against Miller Barber to win $11,000 in the super seniors competition for players 60 and older. They tied at 140--Littler with a 69, Barber a 71.