Golf: Putter is the key for Wargo

TOM WARGO moved a step closer to winning the Senior British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes yesterday. He shot a four-under-par 68 to lead on 209, two strokes ahead of the defending champion Bob Charles, the New Zealand left-hander.

Doug Dalziel, who was born in Scotland but is now based in the United States, and Gary Player, of South Africa, are a shot further back. The leading Briton is Tommy Horton, of the Channel Islands, who has twice been second in the championship. He is tied with Arnold Palmer, of the United States, and Frenchman Michel Damiano on 214.

Wargo had six birdies in his round. At the 551-yard seventh he sent his tee shot into heavy rough, wedged out, then hit a three wood 240 yards to within two yards of the pin, holing the putt for a birdie four.

Player, also a double Senior British Open champion, made what he called his best eagle ever at the 11th. He used a driver from the fairway and struck the ball 225 yards to within a yard of the flag.