Jacobs Still in Control, but Late Bogeys Cut Lead

L.A. Times Archives

Jan. 24, 1999 12 AM PT

<i> From Associated Press</i>

John Jacobs woke up just in time at the Senior MasterCard Championship at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

He started Saturday’s second round at the Hualalai Resort Golf Club with the lead and was coasting along with a comfortable five-stroke advantage over Raymond Floyd after 12 holes.

But consecutive bogeys at the par-four 15th and 16th holes threatened to make it a tight race for the $186,000 first prize.

“I got off to a good start, but I kind of got tired out there,” Jacobs said. “I mentally fell asleep on a couple of holes.

“I hated to three-putt those two holes, but they woke me up.”

Jacobs finished the round with a three-under-par 69 for a 36-hole total of 11-under 133 and a three-stroke advantage. Until he faltered, he had been on pace to challenge the 36-hole records for score (13 under) and margin of lead (five).

Floyd started the day three strokes behind Jacobs and had picked up two midway through the front nine to move within a shot. But it became a two-stroke swing on the 425-yard ninth hole when he bogeyed and Jacobs birdied.

Floyd shot a 69 and was at 136. Gary Player and Dana Quigley shot 68s to share third place with Bob Dickson at 138.

Karrie Webb turned a possible wire-to-wire victory for herself into a 10-player race entering the final round of the Naples LPGA Memorial at Naples, Fla.

The Australian took a triple-bogey on No. 14 during the third round and fell into a tie for first at 12 under with Juli Inkster.

Five other golfers, including last week’s winner, Kelly Robbins, are one shot back.

“One bad swing on No. 14 cost me a three-shot lead,” said Webb, who got to 15 under before playing the par-four, 393-yard hole. “My game is great right now. I just had one bad hole to cost me the lead.”

Inkster, meanwhile, had the round of the day with a seven-under 65 at The Club at Pelican Strand. Despite windy conditions, Inkster played the first 11 holes at six under, including an eagle.

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In Front

Scores through Saturday’s play (Complete scores, Page 14):

$1.1-MILLION MASTERCARD CHAMPIONSHIP--Par 72

John Jacobs: 64-69--133 -11

Ray Floyd: 67-69--136 -8

Dana Quigley: 70-68--138 -6

Gary Player: 70-68--138 -6

Bob Dickson: 68-70--138 -6

$750,000 NAPLES MEMORIAL--Par 72

Juli Inkster: 66-73-65--204 -12

Karrie Webb: 63-69-72--204 -12