GOLF SENIORS AT RANCHO PARK : Brodie Takes a Drop, and Drops Into Tie

As a former football star, John Brodie knows all about penalties.

However, the one he incurred Saturday that cost him sole possession of the lead after 36 holes of the $500,000 Security Pacific Senior Classic, left him in a testy mood.

Despite the one-stroke penalty, Brodie battled through the wind and rain at Rancho Park to post his second consecutive five-under-par 66 for 132 and a tie with another non-winner, Larry Laoretti, who had a 64.

They lead Dick Rhyan, a third player seeking his first victory on the Senior PGA Tour, by one shot. Rhyan, in his fifth season with the 50-and-older set, had rounds of 67-66 for a 133.

The penalty on Brodie, part of a double-bogey six on the short par-four 15th, let several players back in the tournament.

Instead of being four shots back, Lee Trevino, George Archer and Chi Chi Rodriguez, at eight under, are two shots behind with 18 holes to play.

And defending champion Mike Hill is four back at 136. A year ago, Hill was four shots behind Gary Player and shot a 63 to win. DeWitt Weaver tied Hill’s tournament-record 63 in a round played when it was merely drizzling. He joined the group at eight-under 134.

Ben Smith is also at eight under with Jim Dent, Dave Hill and Dan Morgan at seven-under 135.

After finishing with three pars, Brodie did not want to discuss the penalty. He did when pressed to explain what happened.

Brodie hit his drive on the 373-yard 15th into the rough on the right. He lost his grip because his club slipped because of the rain. His shot out of the rough landed on one of the temporary greens that had been used by public golfers when a problem developed with the regular greens at Rancho.

After consulting with playing partners Rodriguez and Miller Barber, Brodie took a drop behind the green. When he did so, tournament official Bryan Naugle told him he made a mistake and would be assessed a penalty stroke.

Brodie was informed that he made the drop off a temporary green. The drop was allowed on three alternate greens on the front side, but not off the temporaries.

“I had my say at that time,” Brodie said. “It’s over and I don’t want to think about it. But there was nothing on the rules sheet handed out today that mentioned the alternate greens.

“I’ve never heard of a situation where you get a drop on some alternate greens but not on another. Apparently that was why I drew the penalty. Let’s forget it.”

He said he had to calm himself before he continued. He took a six on the hole after chipping to within 12 feet and missing the putt for bogey.

Brodie, who starred as a quarterback for Stanford and the San Francisco 49ers, joined the seniors in 1985. Twice, including last fall, he has had to go through qualifying school.

In 29 events this year, he has not finished better than seventh, but he has won $103,000 for 56th place on the list. He has often played well in the first round, then faded. The way he has played this week despite the conditions gives him hopes for a breakthrough.

“I’m really happy with the way I played,” he said. “The drive on 15 was just about my only bad shot of the round. The conditions weren’t that good, either. I went to the long putter and putted very well.”

Brodie posted seven birdies. Five of them came from the eighth through the 13th. That put him at 12 under and gave him the two-stroke lead.

There will be a first-time winner if any of the final threesome prevails today. Brodie and Rhyan rarely are in the hunt on the final day, but Laoretti has had three near misses this season.

“I’d settle for a rain-out tomorrow,” the cigar-smoking Laoretti said with a laugh. “Just kidding. But I would like my chances with another 64.

“Under the conditions, I played well. The rain allowed you to fire at the flag. I did a good job of it.

“I will enjoy playing with John tomorrow. We’re friends. I don’t think he should have been penalized.”

Archer could be the favorite. In his previous six tournaments, he won twice, was fourth twice and was second and third in the other two.

He bogeyed the 18th, but he goes into the final round in a great position to win again.

Weaver, who won his first tour event last month, gave credit to tour member Phil Rodgers for his excellent round.

Rodgers, who has helped many pros, including Jack Nicklaus, saw a flaw in Weaver’s swing on the practice tee Friday night.

Weaver also found the controversial greens to his liking. He had 10 one-putt greens and needed only 26 putts.

“I love them,” he said. “I think the long-handled putter is the answer to these greens.”

Golf Notes

Don January won a playoff on the first extra hole with a par to beat Miller Barber for the Vantage Classic title, the event for the super seniors (60 and older). January’s victory was his ninth this season, tying his own record. Each finished at six-under 136. January, who has won $202,000 on the tour, has won $188,000 additional as a super senior.

Playing a round in a tournament is the closest Arnold Palmer gets to a day off. When the tournament ends today, Palmer embarks on a whirlwind 10-day trip around the world. It will combine looking over courses he has built or is building, a little golf and speeches. He will travel in a private jet and will do some of the flying himself. He goes to Japan, Manila, Taiwan, Korea and winds up in Berlin.

Bert Yancey, whose recovery from depression has enabled him to rejoin the Senior Tour, will give a talk on his experiences Tuesday night at Charter Hospital of Corona. It is free to the public.