GOLF ROUNDUP : Wrenn Takes the Lead; Palmer Makes $50,000

L.A. Times Archives

Jan. 31, 1993 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

Robert Wrenn finished with a flourish Saturday, shaving three shots in the last six holes to take the lead of the Phoenix Open.

Wrenn, one of seven leaders after the first round, finished with his second consecutive three-under-par 68 and a 54-hole total of 202.

“I get to this position about once a year,” said Wrenn, whose only victory came in the 1987 Buick Open. “I think the nicest part of a one-shot lead is that you’re another shot ahead of a lot of people,” he said.

Andrew Magee, who had 10 birdies in a round of 64, and David Frost were a shot behind at 203, and Steve Lowery went into today’s final round of the $1-million tournament two shots off the lead at 204.

Wrenn played the third round with Frost and Lee Janzen, the 36-hole leaders, who managed respective rounds of 71 and 73 on the wind-swept, 6,992-yard TPC of Scottsdale course. Their so-so play underlined Magee’s accomplishment in beating the next-best round of the day by three strokes in adverse conditions.

Janzen and Kirk Triplett were at 205. At 206 were R.W. Eaks, Michael Allen and Gary Hallberg, who had the day’s second-best round with a 67.

Arnold Palmer saved the best for last on the first day of the Senior Skins Game at Mauna Lani, Hawaii.

Palmer, at 63 the oldest of the four players from the over-50 circuit competing in the two-day, 18-hole, made-for-television event, was facing a shutout until his breakthrough on the last hole of the day. His 10-foot birdie putt was worth $50,000.

Chi Chi Rodriguez’s 35-foot chip shot for a birdie--which would have eliminated Palmer from any chance of winning the hole--hit the back of the cup and spun out.

Asked why he took the flag out, Rodriguez responded: “I’ve made 26 holes in one. I didn’t have the pin out on any of them.”

Rodriguez, who replaced Lee Trevino in this four-man field, won $25,000 with a 10-foot birdie putt on the seventh hole.

Jack Nicklaus won $30,000 despite what he called “one of the worst nine holes I’ve ever played, and Raymond Floyd earned $60,000.