Golfer Haas Leads International

Jay Haas used brilliant iron play to set up six birdie putts of six feet or less and take the third-round lead in the International at Castle Rock, Colo., on Saturday.

Haas, in his 19th season on the PGA Tour, birdied his final two holes and scored 13 points for a 54-hole total of 28 in the tournament, which uses the modified Stableford scoring system to determine the champion. Lee Janzen and David Duval were at 25 points, while Tom Watson and Ernie Els were at 24. Davis Love III was at 23, with Tom Lehman and Mark Wiebe at 22, and Mike Hulbert at 21.

The field was cut to 24 for today’s final round, and 1989 International winner Greg Norman was the last to make the cut, posting a clinching two-point birdie at the 17th hole for a total of 15.

Haas began the day with 15 points, but moved into contention with birdies at the first and third holes. He then birdied Nos. 10 and 11, drawing into a first-place tie with first-round leader Els and second-round leader Wiebe.

Haas put some distance on the field with a two-putt birdie from the fringe on the par-five 17th hole and a four-foot birdie putt at the par-four 18th.

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John Paul Cain maintained his lead in the Northville Long Island Classic, closing with two birdies for a three-under-par 69 and a one-stroke advantage over Dave Eichelberger at Meadow Brook Country Club in Jericho, N.Y.

Cain, a 59-year-old former stock broker from Houston who never played on the PGA Tour, moved to 10-under 132 in the senior tour event.

Eichelberger shot a 66. Defending champion Lee Trevino was two behind along with Larry Gilbert, Ben Smith and Bud Allin.

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Karrie Webb of Australia eagled the final hole for a four-under-par 69 and a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Women’s British Open at Woburn, England.

Webb has a 27-hole total of 208, one up on Val Skinner, who had a 67 to finish at 209.

Pro Basketball

The New York Knicks are reportedly negotiating a deal that would enable Pat Riley to become head coach of the Miami Heat next season.

The New York Times reported that NBA Commissioner David Stern is encouraging a settlement to the tampering charges the Knicks filed against the Heat over Riley, who stepped down as head coach of the Knicks in June.

The Knicks are believed to be asking for one of the Heat’s two first-round 1996 picks, players, or both to release Riley from his contract.

The head of the embattled NBA players’ union is optimistic that meeting with players is helping in the fight to win endorsement of its contract with the league.

“I believe as these meetings continue, the groundswell of support for the agreement and our union will continue to grow,” said Simon Gourdine, executive director of the National Basketball Players Assn.

The meetings will continue through Aug. 28. Players will decide on two voting days--Aug. 30 and Sept. 7--whether to accept the contract or to dissolve their union and go through the federal courts to end the owners’ lockout and get a better deal.

A simple majority will decide both the fate of the union and the revised labor pact. Results will be announced Sept. 12.

Jurisprudence

Former New England Patriot Raymond Clayborn was cleared of charges that he tried to kill his ex-wife and her boyfriend, but a jury in Dedham, Mass., convicted him of kicking and punching the man.

The Norfolk Superior Court jury found Clayborn guilty of assaulting Shawn Lane on Nov. 6, 1992, but acquitted him of all charges involving his ex-wife, Cynthia.

Names in the News

Brazilian Andre Ribeiro won the Indy Car pole for today’s New England 200 race at New Hampshire International Speedway. Driving a Reynard Honda, Ribeiro bettered the track record by more than two miles per hour at 177.436 m.p.h., turning a lap of 21.477 seconds at the one-mile oval. . . . Karch Kiraly and Scott Ayakatubby beat Brent Frohoff and Ricci Luyties, 12-11, in the championship game of the Cuervo Gold Cup at Boulder, Colo., the final leg of pro beach volleyball’s triple crown. . . . Mark La Plant of Santa Monica won the PruCare 5,000-meter road race through the streets of West Los Angeles in 14 minutes 48 seconds over American mile record-holder Steve Scott. Sylvia Mosqueda of San Gabriel won the women’s race in 15:44.