GOLF ROUNDUP : Old Stories: Beman Leads by 3, Irwin by 1

PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman shot a three-under-par 67 Saturday to take a three-shot lead over Arnold Palmer after three rounds of the Seniors British Open at Turnberry, Scotland.

Beman had four birdies on his way to a three-round total of 10-under 200.

“I haven’t been in this position since 1973 when I won my last tournament on the U.S. tour,” said Beman, 52.

Beman, who retired from the U.S. tour 16 years ago, held a one-shot lead over Palmer and Gary Player entering Saturday’s round.

Palmer lost ground by shooting a 69 and said he was “totally unhappy” with his erratic round. Player fell five shots behind after taking four bogeys on the first nine.

South African Simon Hobday was one shot behind Palmer. American Deray Simon and Brian Waites of England were tied with Player at 205.

South African Harold Henning shot a tournament record 62 but is still nine shots behind Beman.

Hale Irwin, bidding for his third win in seven weeks, shot a five-under-par 67 to maintain a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Buick Open at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Irwin, 45, who won the U.S. Open and the Buick Classic within a span of six days late in June, was at 17-under 199 after a bogey-free round of 67 at 7,014-yard Warwick Hills.

Billy Andrade was one shot back at 200 after a round of 66 and Fuzzy Zoeller was at 201, also with a 66.

Irwin, who started the day tied for the lead with Don Pooley, finished with a birdie on the 18th with a six-iron to within six feet of the pin.

Pooley shot even-par 72 and dropped into a three-way tie for seventh with Robert Wrenn and Mike Sullivan at 204.

Doug Tewell was fourth at 202. Canadian Dave Barr and U.S. Open runner-up Mike Donald were at 203.

Rosie Jones overcame a bogey on the troublesome 16th hole to shoot a one-under-par 70 and take a two-stroke lead over Cathy Johnston after the third round of the LPGA Championship at Bethesda, Md.

Jones parred the first 11 holes, then had birdies on Nos. 12 and 15 before bogeying No. 16, a 195-yard par-three. She had a seven on the hole in Friday’s second round.

Jones parred the final two holes to finish at four-under 209. She has birdied or parred 52 of 54 holes, with No. 16 the lone exception.

Lee Trevino made a three-foot putt on the final hole for a seven-under-par 65 and the opening-round lead in the $300,000 Newport Cup seniors golf tournament at Newport (R.I.) County Club.

Al Kelley and Terry Dill are one shot back at 66.

Rain washed out Friday’s scheduled play, shortening the tournament to 36 holes.