GOLF ROUNDUP : Janzen Gets Hot at Right Time

Lee Janzen, his game rounding into shape for defense of his U.S. Open title, shot a seven-under 64 Saturday to take the lead after three rounds of the Buick Classic at Harrison, N.Y.

Janzen led last year after 54 holes, too, before finishing in a tie for third. His three-round total of 11-under 202 led second-round leader Ernie Els of South Africa by one shot. John Wilson, Dillard Pruitt and Japan’s Joe Ozaki were three strokes behind.

Janzen used the strong performance last year at the Westchester Country Club, with its sloped, quick greens and high rough, as preparation for his Open victory the next week at Baltusrol in Springfield, N.J.

The 1994 Open begins Thursday at the Oakmont Country Club in western Pennsylvania.

“I’d like to see the course play as hard as it can tomorrow,” he said. “Either way, I still have to attack.”

Janzen started his day with a bogey when he three-putted No. 1, a par three.

But he started a string of four birdies on the par-five fifth and he also birdied Nos. 11, 14 and 16.

“Once you start making birdies early you become more confident,” Janzen said. “There were a lot of good scores today. When you see that it pushes you on.”

Although golfers continued to say how treacherous the 6,779-yard course can be, several players made big moves.

Tom Kite shot 64 for a three-round total of 206 and was tied with Ronnie Black, who shot 65. Hale Irwin shot 65 and was among seven at 207, including first-round leader Mike Reid.

Jeff Maggert, who barely made the cut at two-over 144, also shot 64 Saturday and was at 208.

“How can there be 10 shots difference from one day to the next day?” asked Kite, who had only one birdie while shooting 74 Friday. “I think that’s just the nature of this stupid game.”

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Dave Stockton shot a course-record, nine-under 63 and held a one-shot lead over Bob Murphy after two rounds of the PGA Senior Tour Nationwide Championship at Alpharetta, Ga.

Stockton had a 14-under 130 total for two trips around the Country Club of the South course.

Murphy had a second-round 64 and was four shots ahead of Tom Shaw, who had a 68.

Five were at 136--Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jim Dent, Graham Marsh and Larry Gilbert.

Stockton, last year’s Senior Tour player of the year with five victories, is still looking for his first in 1994. He is 13th on this year’s money list at $267,747.

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Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann and England’s Caroline Pierce had roller coaster second rounds and shared a one-stroke lead in the Minnesota LPGA Classic at Brooklyn Park.

Neumann offset four birdies with three bogeys in a one-under 71 on the windy Edinburgh USA course.

Pierce had an eagle, five birdies and four bogeys in a 68. They were at five-under 139.

Amy Alcott was next at 140. Beth Daniel, looking for her third tour victory in a row, and Australia’s Jane Crafter were at 141.