Greater Greensboro Open : Golfing Giant Gains Share of Lead

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Rookie Phil Blackmar, tied for the lead with veteran Ray Floyd going into today’s final round of the $400,000 Greater Greensboro Open, says he’s in a no-lose situation.

“The worst that can happen is that I win a lot of money,” said Blackmar, a 6-7, 260-pound golfer who reeled off four consecutive birdies on the way to a third-round 68 Saturday.

“Everybody expects me to fold. If I do, it doesn’t matter,” Blackmar said. “But I know that if I play to my capabilities, I can play with anybody. It’s a matter of me beating myself.”

There’s also the matter of beating Floyd, who came from nine shots back with a spectacular six-under-par 66.

“I’ve definitely got a chance to win,” Floyd said after collecting nine birdies, including seven on the front nine, where he carded a sizzling 30.

“But I don’t know how I’ll handle it. I haven’t been there in a while,” said Floyd, a non-winner since 1982.

“If I can keep myself under control, play well, handle the situation, I’ll be rewarded whether I win or lose,” he said.

On the par-five second hole, Floyd pull-hooked his drive, the ball hitting a cart path and slashing into a woman’s face.

Willadean Welch of Greensboro, N.C., suffered a broken nose and facial cuts. She was treated and released from an emergency clinic. Three stitches were taken.

Floyd and Blackmar completed three rounds over the wind-swept Forest Oaks Country Club course with scores of 212.

One shot off the pace were Peter Jacobsen, Bobby Clampett and Dan Pohl. Jacobsen, a two-time winner last season and a two-time runner-up this year, had a third-round 70. Pohl shot a 71. Clampett was tied for the lead until he bogeyed the 18th hole to complete a 75.

The big group at 214 consisted of Bill Kratzert, Doug Tewell, Roger Maltbie, Canadian Jim Nelford, Jeff Sluman and Isao Aoki of Japan. Kratzert shot a 69 despite a double bogey. Tewell had a 71. Maltbie and Nelford matched par 72. Aoki, winner of 44 international events, once held the lead alone but bogeyed five times in a seven-hole stretch coming home. Sluman, the longshot who led through the first two rounds, blew to a 77 but salvaged some pride with an 18th-hole birdie.