RENO -- It didn't matter that Craig Stadler, known as the 'Walrus', was playing in the first round of the Reno-Tahoe Open on Thursday. His thoughts were with his son, Kevin, and his second round match at the U.S. Amateur Championship, being held over 2,000 miles away at Oakland Hills C.C. in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. .
Stadler said he watched his son's match on Thursday against John Klauk at the Reno Hilton sports book.
"It has been a full week, no doubt," Stadler said. "I was an absolute wreck. I was shaking, (I would) much rather have been playing."
Craig was at 4-under entering Saturday's third round, but shot a 7-under 65 to move into second place at 11-under for the tournament. His third round score was two shots off the course record of 63, held by Notah Begay Jr.
Kevin, who is entering his senior year at the University of the Southern California, was trying to follow in his father's footsteps this week. His dad won the 1973 U.S. Amateur during his career at USC, where he was a two-time All-American. Kevin wasn't as fortunate, as Klauk won the match.
Since Craig's win in '73, he's gone on to win 12 PGA Tour events and has four international victories during his 27-year professional career. But it seems as though the 49-year-old fan favorite is ready for the Senior PGA Tour.
"I've damn near had enough of this," said Stadler, who hasn't won on tour since 1996 and his exempt status expires after this year.
For first time last year, Craig, who won the 1982 Masters Tournament, didn't finish in the top 100 on the money list. Maybe it's time for Kevin to carry on the 'Walrus' legacy.
HOWELL DROPS OFF
Charles Howell III, the first round leader and pre-tournament favorite, shot his consecutive round of 1-over 73. After firing a 7-under 65 on Thursday, Howell, who was listed as 15-1 to win the tournament, starts today seven shots back of the leaders at 5-under.
NO. 9 AN EAGLE'S NEST
The 616-yard par-5 hole has seen eight eagles this week, the most of any hole at Montreux Golf and Country Club. Strangely, though, the hole has the third highest scoring average (4.84) of the course's four par 5s.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"I guess that's why I didn't shoot 8-under, I didn't have a headache today," said co-leader Steve Flesch, who had a severe sinus migraine headache before Friday's round, when he shot a 64.