Golf Roundup : Betsy King Breezes Into Lead as Contenders Falter in Wind

Betsy King shot a one-under-par 71 and moved into a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the $200,000 Mazda tournament Saturday, while the wind created havoc for other contenders in the LPGA’s season-opening event at Boca Raton, Fla.

King, winner of seven tournaments over the past three seasons, carded four birdies and three bogeys on the par-72, 6,472-yard course at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club and has a 54-hole total of 213, three under par.

King was the only golfer among the contenders to break par in breezy conditions that contributed to the swift fall of second-day leader Cathy Morse, who shot a 77.

Heather Farr moved into second place at 214 after a 73 in the second round. Another stroke back were Morse and Rosie Jones, who shot a 75.

Pat Bradley, the 1986 LPGA Player of the Year, followed at par 216 after overcoming three double bogeys to shoot 72 for the third consecutive day.

Two-time U.S. Open champion Billy Casper carded his second straight par 72 to share the halfway lead with South African Harold Henning at 144 in the $300,000 Seniors tournament at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa.

Henning shot a three-under-par 69, the best round of the tournament. Henning produced five birdies and only two bogeys as temperatures reached 104 degrees.