GOLF ROUNDUP : Rookie Gets Some Respect While Taking Tucson Lead

Robert Gamez, a 21-year-old playing in his first event as a member of the PGA Tour, gained the lead--and the respect of some veterans--Saturday in the third round of the Tucson Open.

Gamez, who passed up his final year at the University of Arizona to join the pro tour, took a one-stroke lead with his three-under-par 69 on the TPC course at Star Pass.

Gamez, seeking to become the first man since Ben Crenshaw in 1973 to win in his first start as a Tour member, completed 54 holes in 200, 16 under par.

David Frost, who shot a 60 Friday, the second-best score in 33 years, and Jay Haas, winner of seven titles in a 14-year career, were impressed.

“He was not intimidated out there, not that David and I are intimidating players,” Haas said.

“I was quite impressed,” Frost said. “He stayed within himself. He didn’t get ahead of himself.”

Frost shot a 71 and is second at 201. Haas is another stroke behind after a 72.

Defending champion Curtis Strange shot a 69 to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Palm Meadows Cup at Brisbane, Australia, after halfway leader Greg Norman disqualified himself.

Strange, the two-time U.S. Open champion, had a 17-under-par total of 199 to lead Australian Mike Harwood, who also had a 69 for a 201.

Norman was 15 under par after two rounds, including a 63 Friday, but withdrew 35 minutes before he was due to tee off for the third round after officials pointed out that he had broken an obscure rule.

“I had no intention of deliberately cheating,” Norman said after his stunning announcement. “I couldn’t go out and have my peers say I cheated.