GOLF ROUNDUP : Fog Cancels Third Round at San Diego

An unprecedented shotgun start was avoided Saturday when heavy fog forced cancellation of the third round of the Buick Invitational of California at Torrey Pines.

Play was called for the day at 2 p.m. and the tournament was shortened to 54 holes, with the final round scheduled for today on the South course.

The course, stretching along cliffs overlooking the Pacific, was shrouded by heavy fog long before the round’s scheduled starting time and none of 74 players got away.

Officials, anticipating a lifting of the fog, made contingency plans for a shotgun start--using all 18 tees as starting points. The simultaneous start frequently is used in unofficial competition as club tournaments, corporate outings and pro-am events. The fun-time format, however, has not been used in professional tournament competition.

Tom Watson, Brad Faxon and Mike Springer share the lead at 13-under-par 131.

Lisa Walters, an eight-year LPGA Tour player, tied a personal best with a seven-under-par 65 to tie the course record and give her a one-shot victory over Missie Berteotti and Kristi Albers at the Hawaiian Ladies Open at Honolulu.

Walters, who finished with a 54-hole score of eight-under-par 208, started the day at one under, and moved to nine under through 14 holes after shooting a five-under 31 on the front nine at par-72, 6,244-yard Ko Olina Golf Course.

Finishing two shots back were Michelle McGann, who started the day tied for the lead with Berteotti, and Dottie Mochrie, who finished with a 65.