Open notes: Kuchar slumps a bit

Web posted June 21, 1998

By Rick Dorsey
Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Candescent Kid wasn't all smiles Saturday.

Matt Kuchar entered the U.S. Open's third round at 1-under par, tied for fourth behind leader Payne Stewart and in prime position to become the first amateur since 1971 to truly threaten for an Open crown.

Well, the 19-year-old to-be Georgia Tech junior may have finally felt the weight of major pressure as he slumped late with bogeys on holes 14, 15, 16 and 17, essentially blunting his parade.

U.S. Open

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•Janzen wins title •Dorsey column •Stewart's fall •Open notes •Lehman prediction •Tiger pressing •AP's Open package

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Kuchar ended Saturday with no birdies during his round of 76, tying him with Jim Furyk and Lee Porter at 5-over par.

``It was a scrambling day today,'' Kuchar said. ``I wasn't hitting the ball that great, and then when I three-putted 14, that was a huge letdown for me. I got on that bogey train for a while.''

ACE, ACE BABY: Chris Perry recorded the first hole-in-one in Open competition by sinking a 6-iron 176 yards on The Olympic Club's 13th hole -- though the Columbus, Ohio, native didn't see it.

``I think it landed just short of the green,'' said Perry after his 2-over 72 Saturday. ``You can't see the pin; you just go by the reaction of the people.''

Perry said it's his sixth ace overall and third in competition. He nearly pulled the trick during the first round, landing three inches short of the 15th pin.

SPEED PATROL: The USGA pace of play police has been monitoring these Open proceedings with very little humor. So much so that Per-Ulrik Johansson verbally bashed his official walking alongside him.

``I think it's good that they're emphasizing fast play, but they should be telling us when we're behind rather than sitting in the bushes like a policeman with their little stop watches around their neck,'' Johansson said after his 3-over 73 Saturday left him at 9-over for the tournament.

Johansson's nerves were frayed Friday when an official warned his threesome at the 11th that they were behind schedule.

A similar warning came Saturday as he and

``I went to the toilet, so we had a bad time,'' Johansson said. ``But I don't think we can get around this golf course in three hours and 45 minutes. That's impossible. I felt like they were rushing me all day. It's very aggravating.''