Kendall Sneaks Up on Leaders When Even He’s Not Looking

So what if golf wasn’t his best sport when he was growing up in chilly Milwaukee?

Or second.

How about third?

The man shooting the best round of the tournament on Saturday at the Nissan Open, a sizzling seven-under-par 64, is a former all-state soccer star/all-conference 5-foot-9 point guard who once waited tables during his fledgling mini-tour days.

Introducing Skip Kendall, who is two shots behind leader Tommy Armour III’s three-round total of 204. Kendall’s 64 featured seven birdies, including four consecutive birdies on the back nine, starting from No. 12.

His torrid third round helped distinguish himself from the suddenly crowded field of contenders, in which 12 players are packed in a four-shot range. Claustrophobia seems to be mood at the top of the leaderboard at Valencia Country Club.

Actually Kendall, 33, most likely does not need to be introduced. After all, he already endured his share of drama this season, losing to Scott Simpson in a playoff at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.

Saturday, Kendall started play six shots off the lead at even par but did not realize he had made up so much ground until the dust settled after his round.

“I really didn’t pay attention to it,” he said. “All of a sudden I made two, three, four birdies and I just tried to keep it going. Fortunately I did. I guess that’s what Saturdays are all about. I wasn’t thinking about the lead. I didn’t even know I had the lead [at one point].

“I had no idea until I got to the 18th green and I saw the scoreboard. That was the first time. I usually do look at scoreboards. Maybe I glanced over there and didn’t notice.

“I guess I was in my own little world today. And it was fun.”

Among the other four players at 206 with Kendall is Woods.

At one point, Kendall thought he might be in the final grouping with Woods, but instead Kendall is with Armour and Billy Mayfair.

“He [Woods] is my neighbor at home,” Kendall said. “Of course I don’t live in the same community he lives in.”

Kendall has experienced the hue and cry of a Woods gallery, however.

“I’ve played in front of him this week,” Kendall said. “Which is difficult because all the people are running up. So I’ve had a lot of big galleries.”

A Kendall gallery is relatively entourage-free at Valencia. His wife, Beth, is at home in Florida, because the couple is expecting a boy in early June.

“I hear a lot of people cheering for me,” he said. “The little guy, maybe. Rooting for the underdog. I weigh 150 pounds, and I’m not quite 5-9, so I’m going to say 5-8 3/4.”

Kendall has come a long way--$320,000 in earnings in 1997, $361,000 and two top-10 finishes in 1998--from the days when he waited tables at the Olive Garden and cleaned up afterward about eight, nine years ago when he was playing the mini-tour in Orlando, Fla.

Well, the kitchens were distinctive.

“That was the worst of the whole deal--after you were done, then you had to do the kitchen cleanup duty,” he said. “That was pitiful. Maybe they were too cheap to hire a cleanup crew.”

And now?

“I’m a straight 20% [tip] guy now--no matter how the service was. And better if he or she is really good,” Kendall said.