Golf Roundup : Eagle Helps Peete Take One-Shot Lead Over Mast

Calvin Peete holed out on his second shot for an eagle on his 16th hole and moved into a one-shot lead Saturday in the rain-delayed second round of the $500,000 USF&G; tournament at New Orleans.

“I felt it was going to be close, and I really didn’t see it go in the hole, but from the crowd reaction, I knew I’d made it,” Peete said of the 150-yard, 6-iron shot on the 405-yard seventh hole.

Peete, seeking his second victory of the season, shot a five-under-par 67 over the Lakewood Country Club course and has a 36-hole total of 135.

Going into today’s 36-hole windup, Dick Mast--who describes himself as “sort of a veteran rookie”--was second alone at 136.

Mast, 34, twice holed out from off the green on the way to an eight-under-par 64 in cold morning winds.

He had an eagle, five consecutive birdies and did not make a bogey in the difficult playing conditions.

And, despite a largely unsuccessful career on the PGA Tour--he played in 1974-75, 1977 and 1979--he said he wasn’t worried about the double-round final against one of golf’s more accomplished performers.

“I don’t care who’s there. If you shoot the numbers, you can win any tournament,” Mast said.

Mast was two strokes in front of Bill Israelson, Pat McGowan and Kenny Knox, all tied at 138. Israelson had a 65. McGowan a 68 and Knox, the upset winner of the Honda tournament, a 68.

Today’s 36-hole finish was set up when Thursday’s play was rained out.

Pat Bradley shot a even-par 72 but saw her lead cut in half to three strokes after the third round of the $200,000 LPGA Circle K Tucson Open.

The putts Bradley sank for birdies to lead both Thursday and Friday wouldn’t fall on Saturday. However, the 12-year pro still posted a record 11-under 205 total for the tournament through 54 holes on the 6,214-yard Randolph North Golf Course.

Rosie Jones fired a course-record-tying 65 Saturday and Myra Blackwelder had a three-under 69 to share second place at 208.

Anne-Marie Palli shot a 70 and is five shots off the pace at 210. Defending champion Amy Alcott had a 69 and joined Judy Dickinson and Jerilyn Britz at 211.