Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, April 20, 1998
Irwin wins third straight senior PGA title
Golfer defeats competition by seven strokes
The Associated Press
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.
- Hale Irwin shot a 2-uner-
par-70 yesterday to become the
first man since World War II to
win three consecutive PGA
Seniors' Championships.
There was little drama as Irwin dominated the 6,722-yard Champion course at the PGA
National Golf Club wire to wire. He had done so since the second round of the 1997 tournament. He was 35-under in his 12 rounds here the past three years.
He began the day with a birdie and added two more at holes 6 and 11 for a 275 total and a seven-stroke victory over Larry Nelson.
Nelson, who had a closing 72,
and Gil Morgan provided the
only true competition of the day
— a footrace for the second-
place, which was worth $60,000
more than third.
No. 8. But bogyes on holes 1, 10, 13 and 15 left him even for the day with a 283, a stroke behind Nelson.
Morgan had two birdies on the front, including a 30-foot putt on
Nelson also encountered trouble — not all of it of his own doing. A turtle moved his ball after
Irwin:hardly challenged in PGA championship
it landed in a bunker short of the sixth green — apparently the turtle's nesting area. Nelson
shooed the turtle away with a prod of his wedge, then he shot the ball to the fringe. He made par.
Fan favorite Jack Nicklaus, a coleader with Irwin after an opening round of 50
shot 72 Sunday to finish 1-over
Larry Nelson: ball moved by an upset turtle
shot 2/ Sunday to finish 1-over.
Dave Stockton, who had 73s in each of the first three rounds,
finished tied for fifth with Dale
Douglass — 12 strokes behind Irwin — after shooting a 68. It was the low round of the day.
Nelson was even through the first 10 holes and trailed Irwin by seven shots going to No. 11, a 412-yard par-4 that finished over water.
He lost any chance to contend when he boyed the hole while Iwin birdied for a nine-stroke lead.
Irwin lost a stroke with a bogey on No. 15 — a 164-yard par-3 that is the start of the Bear Trap, a treacherous threed hole stretch designed by Nicklaus in 1989. Still, the margin was more than comfortable to
get him the trophy.
Irwin's seven-stroke victory was not his largest margin at the Seniors Championship. Last year, he won by 12.
Irwin averaged 69.1 for the 12 rounds in the past three years. The three victories alone earned him $684,000, including $270,000 Sunday for the largest paycheck of his PGA tour career.
Eddie Williams is the only other player to win three PGA Seniors in a row, in 1942 and 1945-46. No tournament was played in 1943-44 because of World War II.
Brigham Young opposes rule to allow Sunday games
The Associated Press
PROVO. Utah — The president of Brigham Young University sent a letter to the NCAA opposing a possible change to allow postseason events on Sundays.
The so-called BYU rule has existed for 30 years, but the NCAA board of directors will consider an amendment to change it when the board meets tomorrow in Indianapolis.
"If there are championships played on Sundays, our athletes will be prohibited from competing," said Brigham Young vice president R.J. Snow.
Brigham Young president Merrill J. Bateman also is a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns the university. General authorities administer the church.
Refraining from athletic competition is one of the policies that the church has set for Sabbath observance at its universities.
The fact that the proposal has advanced to the final stage frightens Brigham Young coaches and administrates.
said compliance officer Pete Witbeck.
Even if Brigham Young succeeds in striking down the proposed amendment, Athletics Director Rondo Fehlberg said he thought it would pass eventually.
"It seems pretty inevitable because we have yet to see something with significant revenue dollars attached which hasn't passed," he said. "As strapped as athletic departments are, it's hard to imagine them saying, 'OK, we're going to walk away from dollars to support BYU.'"
Brigham Young can appeal the board decision, and a legal challenge is possible. Fehlberg said.
The rule has been in place since the mid-1960s, when Brigham Young lobbied for a change after seeing its baseball team excluded from the NCAA playoffs because games were
scheduled on Sunday.
"Three times we earned the chance to go to regionals and couldn't go because they were held on Sunday," said Glen Tuckett, former Brigham Young athletics director and baseball coach.
"We've had to fight this battle three or four times over the past 20-25 years," he said.
If the proposal passes, Brigham Young golf coach Bruce Brockbank said he expected golf and tennis to be the first casualties.
"It would kill you from day one," Brockbank said. "You couldn't even recruit. Those kids want to go to the dance. It would set us up to be a second-tier program."
Fehlberg said he thought football and basketball would survive.
"Football and basketball already have a very strong lucrative detente with the pros," he said. "College football games are played on Saturday and pro games are on Sunday, and economic self-interest will ensure things remain status quo."
Wide receiver catches lucky sprain
The Associated Press
AMES, Iowa — Starting wide receiver Kevin Wilson watched Iowa State's spring football game from the sidelines with a sprained ankle — a tough break for Wilson but just what Chris Anthony needed.
Anthony, who replaced Wilson in the starting lineup, responded with five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Anthony walked onto the Iowa State football team last August.
"It's really a dream," said Anthony, a 6-foot-3, 196-pounder from Pleasant Valley. "God's been with me. Every time I get to go out there, it's incredible. Even in front of 5,000 fans, it's great."
Anthony and quarterback Todd Bandhauer proved to be quite a combination as the Cardinal team, made up of the starters, beat the Gold 30-0.
Bandhauer completed 14 of 20 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Anthony on a 61-yard touchdown pass.
"Todd will put it on you every time," Anthony said. "He's really improved from last year, especially his poise. He doesn't get angry when he makes mistakes any more. He shakes it off and he's ready to go on to the next play."
Bandhauer returned the compliment.
"I've always known he was going to be a good player," Bandhauer said. "I hope he gets a scholarship so he doesn't go anywhere else."
Anthony made a big enough impression after joining the team last fall to earn a spot on the kicking teams. Despite his performance in the spring scrimmage, Anthony might not be ready to claim a starting spot at wide receiver.
Anthony has been listed behind Wilson and Mike Brantley on the depth chart all spring. Four junior college transfers, who also play the position, will join the team in August and provide additional competition.
"You've got four junior college kids that are 20 years old coming. They have a lot of experience." Anthony said. "From what I've heard, they've got a lot of good speed. It's going to do nothing but
help the team.
"You know, if they're better than me, if they're better than Mike and Kevin, they should be playing," he said. "We need the best people on the field if we're going to turn this thing around and win."
While the first team's passing game was sharp, the running game suffered. Darren Davis, who rushed for 1,005 yards last fall and had 261 in a game, managed only 57 yards in 21 carries.
Coach Dan McCarney felt it was a combination of improved defense and inexperience in the offensive line. Only one starter from last year's line played on Saturday, Ben Beaudet. Three other experienced offensive linemen missed spring practice because of injuries.
"There just wasn't a lot of daylight." McCarney said. "The second team defense was beating some of our guys up front. We just didn't give (Darren) any chances.
McCarney said he was delighted by the defense. He said the fact veterans such as Andre Lee, Antonio Mays, Chin Achebe and Ryan Harklae were playing on the second team showed the defense is starting to develop some depth.
Hi, I'm **Drew King**, your NIKE student rep. Check out **Sports1/2Page** every two weeks for the latest scoop on sports and NIKE events at KU. Are you or your team setting any records? Breaking any new ground? If so, I want to hear from you—especially if you're a Club or Intramural athlete. Drop me an email at **drew.king@nike.com**. You just might end up featured in the next issue. To reach NIKE HQ directly, try: **sports.halfpage@nike.com** . . .
I've got lots going on here on campus this semester. First, there's the P.L.A.Y.CORPS program. If you want to make a difference in a kid's life by coaching a sport here in Lawrence, then volunteer to be a P.L.A.Y.CORPS coach. NIKE will reward you by training you and giving you $500 towards your tuition . . . Second, for women only: Thursday, April 30th will be KU's first-ever NIKE I Can Run Safely Women's Night Run. Meet at 7:45 PM at the Lied Center parking lot for a 2.5 mile run. It's not a race, and athletes of all levels are welcome . . . Third, look for NIKE Reuse-A-Shoe collection boxes in the dorms, in Robinson, and in the Greek houses. I'm collecting old tennis shoes to be recycled into new basketball courts, tracks, and playground surfaces across the country. So, please drag your old shoes out of the closet and drop them off in one of the boxes . . . Want any more information about any of these programs? Just email me at drew.king@nike.com.
Co=Corecreational / V=Varsity / C=Club / I=Intramural