THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607140209
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 58 lines
The starter's table introductions of the two frontrunners in the 40th annual Eastern Amateur for today's final round will be more than a formality.
Pacesetter Jason Buha tees off with a one-shot lead over defending champion Tom McKnight.
``We've never played together before. In fact, we haven't met,'' said McKnight.
In the two earlier rounds, they played on opposite sides of the Elizabeth Manor course at the same time. Buha, a 21-year-old rising senior at Duke from Farmington Hills, Mich., played the front nine first on Thursday and started on the back nine Friday, leading both rounds with his 67-68 - 135.
He's playing in his first Eastern.
The 41-year-old McKnight, a two-time Eastern champ from Galax, Va., commenced play Thursday on the front side and was a back nine starter Friday. He had rounds of 68-68.
The third round was called off and the tournament reduced to 54 holes for the first time when Hurricane Bertha interrupted afternoon play Friday.
Seventy-two players were still on the course and most played Saturday to conclude that round. Twelve elected not to return.
The field was trimmed to the low 80 and ties after the second round was completed. It took a 9-over-par 149 to make the cut.
Finishing with a 1-under 69 Saturday as he played out the last two holes of his round, Brett Boner moved into third place at 137.
The fifth-year Auburn player, finishing on the front side, parred the 8th and 9th.
``That was something new for me,'' said Boner. ``A 24-hour round. I've never had to come back and finish a round the next day before.''
He had three birdies and bogeys at No. 4 and No. 15. ``On the fourth hole yesterday it was raining so hard that I couldn't even see the green. I still had a par putt but it lipped out,'' said Boner.
``But it was tough playing conditions. It would spit, then pour. I was putting up and taking down my umbrella on every hole. And the wind was blowing harder and harder.''
Added Boner: ``I'm looking forward to playing in the threesome with Buha and McKnight. I've never played with Jason before but I really enjoyed the round I had with McKnight in the Eastern a few years ago. He's a fine player and this will be wonderful experience for me, playing with him.''
G.W. Cable finished with a 67 to share second round honors with Venezuelan Gilberto Morales, who completed his round Friday.
Cable, a 19-year-old George Mason player from Oakton, Va., had 35-32. He finished with birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th, two shots off the back nine record. He parred every hole on the front side in Friday's rain, but with an earlier 77, was still nine shots off the lead.
The closing round will start at 8 a.m. with the leaders going off at 12:40 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
L. TODD SPENCER
Brett Boner finished a rain-delayed round Saturday with a 1-under 69
to move into third place at 137. by CNB