Golf Roundup : Palmer, Littler Help U.S. Lead

Arnold Palmer teamed with Gene Littler Thursday to beat Gary Player and Bob Charles, 1 up, and help the United States take a 10-6 lead in the opening round of the $600,000 Chrysler Cup at the Tournament Players Club at Avenel in Potomac, Md.

Palmer was foiled in his attempt to make a third hole-in-one in as many days on the 182-yard third hole as his tee shot bounced off the green.

The four-day event pits eight senior golfers from the United States against a team of International seniors.

In addition to Palmer and Littler’s victory, the United States got four points from the team of Lee Elder and Billy Casper, while Don January and Miller Barber tied their match to earn two points.

The format changes to individual match play today.

Larry Mize birdied the final four holes to shoot a seven-under-par 64 and take a one-shot lead in the first round of the $400,000 B.C. Open at Endicott, N.Y.

Rick Fehr had a 65 on the 6,966-yard course at the En-Joie Golf Club. Bobby Wadkins, Brett Upper and Mike Smith were at 66.

Ronan Rafferty of Northern Ireland, Jose-Maria Olizabal of Spain and Derrick Cooper of England shot eight-under-par 64s to share the first-round lead in the $394,000 Swiss Open at Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

Craig Stadler, last year’s winner, opened with a 67.