Bradley Has Five-Stroke Lead in Bid to End Winless Streak

Pat Bradley moved into position to end a frustrating two-year absence from the winner’s circle Saturday, shooting a second straight five-under-par 67 to take a five-stroke lead after three rounds of the $255,000 LPGA Rochester International golf tournament at Pittsford, N.Y.

Bradley used her short irons to perfection and needed only one putt on each of the first eight holes as she compiled a 54-hole total of 208.

Chris Johnson shot a course-record 65--making six birdies on the back nine--to take sole possession of second place at 213.

Another shot back were Nancy Lopez, a three-time champion here; Lisa Young, and Nancy Scranton. Lopez and Young shot 69s, Scranton a 71.

Bradley is No. 3 on the Ladies Professional Golf Assn. money list this year with a string of five third places and three seconds but has not won a tournament since the Mazda Japan event in 1983.

Australian Peter Thomson chipped in from 45 feet for a birdie on the first hole, then tamed tricky winds to shoot a six-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead after 36 holes of the Senior Players ReUnion Pro-Amateur tournament at Dallas.

Thomson, 54, who has won five tournaments and is the leading money winner on the PGA Seniors Tour, was at 134.

Lee Elder used only 29 putts in posting a 68 for a 135 total over the Bent Tree Country Club.

Billy Casper, who held the first-round lead with a 65, faded to a 73 and is in a three-way tie at 138 with Gay Brewer (69) and Gordon Jones (68).

Lilian Behan, a groom at the Curragh race course in Ireland, won the British Women’s Amateur golf championship Saturday, beating favored Curtis Cup player Claire Waite of Britain, 1 up, in the final at Ganton, England.

The 20-year-old Irish player, who hadn’t picked up a golf club until she was 16, was three shots down at the turn but fought back to take the title by halving the 18th hole.