The Montgomery Advertiser from Montgomery, Alabama • 10

PAGE 10 f3mst0amprg Afcorrttarr MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1975 Too on Monday Nigi Tide Favored jv Bryant has the Tide ready. "The players are tired of practice. They want to get out of the practice heat and into the heat of battle," Bryant said. Missouri has the top three ranked teams in the nation on its schedule-Oklahoma, Alabama and Michigan. But they're not playing them in order.

Oklahoma is ranked No. 1, Alabama No. 2, andMichigan No. 3. The Tigers play Alabama, Michigan and then Oklahoma.

Maybe, that is the right order. By RON BAREFIELD Assistant Sports Editor For the first time in the history of Alabama fpotball, the Crimson Tide will open its season on a Monday night. For the millionth time, they're favored. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant will take his 60 Tidesmen to Birmingham's Lp-gion Field to battle Al Onofrio's 55 Missouri Tigers tonight in a game that will be televised nation wide. The Tide has won 22 consecutive games and the point spread almost matches that string.

Oddsmakers have you play the tough ones. And, I think playing an opener against a team like Alabama on national television has given us an added incentive and helped our team get ready for the season more than if we were just playing average opposition," Onolrio added. Bryant has the same respect for Missouri. "They scare me to death," he said. The ledgendary Alabama coach did Onofrio a favor.

The Missouri coach would be bringing only 48 players to Birmingham if Bryant had not sued the NCAA so all teams could take 60 on road established Alabama as a 21-point favorite to win No. 23 in a row. Missouri's Onofrio likes the challenge Alabama and the rest of his team's opponents provide. "We're meeting an Alabama team which is coming oif two undefeated regular season and you can't find better competition than that," Onofrio said. "But that's the way we like it at Missouri." People at Alabama like it any way as long as the team with the most points at the end of the game is Alabama.

"1 think you have a better chance to develop into a good team yourself when games. Onofrio will bring only 55, but that was his decision not the NCAA's. The game will be the start of the final season for several Tide players like Hichard Todd, Leroy Cook and Woodrow Lowe who will dot several All-America teams when the season is over. Todd, will operate the Tide wishbone against a Missouri defense that is questionable at several line and linebacker positions. "We.

have a lot of young people on defense and we're not as big as we'd like," Onofrio said. "We hope to make up the difference with quickness." LEROY COOK TT1 cJiieii idieroic i' 1 Green's 64 Captures Southern win SIPGDIMr 1 AdVeMiwr PkolM by Hoer ntoiki Orlando Catcher John Lonchar Sets for Tim Corcoran 1 i 1 jk 1 That put runners on first and third with one out and the Rebs up by the final 3-2 score. But Alonso kayoed Shipley and got Maloof to ground out to end the inning. Both teams scored a single run in the first. Gary Ward singled in Maloof for Orlando's tally while John Valle doubled home a singling Tim Corcoran.

Jason Thompson, who was batting with hot hitting Phil Mankowski's bat, slugged a tremendous 390-foot homer in the third for the Rebels other run. Valle, Mankowski, Corcoran and Raul Colon each con-See Rebels, Page 1 1 fir Af- 'f -mm 4 1 I JIM ESCHEN BY MAX MOSELEY Advertiser Sports Writer COLUMBUS Ga. Hubert Ureen, fast becoming one of pro golf's most colorful players, fired seven birdies enroute to a sizzling six-under-par 64 here Sunday bypassing leader John Schroeder to capture the 6th Annual Southern Open Tournament by three strokes. The Birmingham youngster, who attended Florida State University before making his pro debut, proved to be a big hit with the cheering Columbus gallery with his charging tactics. His sensational putting for those seven birdies enabled him to shoot one of his best rounds ever.

Green's four brillant rounds of 68-66-66-64 lor a 16-un-der-par 264 was a new record for the beautiful hilly and sloping Green Island Country Club course. Green's sensational charge or barrage of birdies kept slump-ridden John Schroeder from winning his first tournament alter five years on the pro circuit. Still Schroeder, who led each day, finished with a 72-hole score of 267 or 13 under par. He had rounds of 65-66-68-68. Terry Dill was third at 272 alter shooting 68 Sunday.

Tour rookie Bill Kogers was next at 273. Then came Gib-by Gilbert with 274, Ben Crenshaw with 275, George Burns, J.C. Snead and Larry Nelson at 276. Ex-Montgomerian Benson K. "Mac" McLendon, who was tied for the lead the first day, finished tied for 10th with 277.

He shot 72 Sunday. McLendon turned out to be a better prognosticator than a player in this event. Last Wednesday he picked his good friend from Birmingham Hubert Green to win the tournament. He was right. "I knew that he could win it, said Mac.

"He's been playing super in recent weeks and his putting is terrific." Green, who is 28 years of age. took his first win of the season with the $20,000 first-place check. Last year he won four times and earned $211,000. So far this year he's now won more than $110,000. "Indeed I'm happy over this first win of the year," remarked Green after the victory.

"There are some of the nicest people in the world here in Columbus and I have never played too well before. 1 had picked up only $740 in four previous tries here. But Green came to play this time. Clad in kelly green trousers and a matching checked shirt and bareheaded, the personality kid won the tavor of the crowd and most of the some 10,000 followers trailed him most of the way. Schroeder, who had to qualify on Tuesday to enter the tournament, never trailed until No.

14. He had a three -stroke lead over Green alter nine holes but that barrage of birdies by Green was too much. Forest Fezler, the 1974 winner, finished way back in the pack with 284. His 69 Sunday was his best round of the tournament. Green only had two birdies on the front side on two and five Then he started his birdie barrage on No.

10, 12 and 13. His fourth birdie in five holes on 14 shot him into the lead. He also birdied No. 18 by sinking another of those thrilling 10-footers. Schroeder, who has played six years on the circuit, picked up his first check since May.

He quit the tour for six weeks in mid-summer. His $11,400 check nearly doubled doubled his 1975 earnings, giving him $25,267 for the year. Southern Open Results i Confident Rebels Sure About Title By RON BAREFIELD Assistant Sports Editor Jim Eschen was a twin hero Sunday afternoon, but he wasn't a Twins' hero. The Montgomery Rebel second baseman got the game-winning hit and turned in the game-saving defensive play to lead the Montgomery Rebels to a 3-2 win over the Orlando Twins in their best of live playoff for the Southern League championship. The Rebels have a 2-0 lead they'll take with them to Orlando Monday night for the third game in the series.

The bases were loaded in the top of the ninth inning when second baseman Eschen ranged into short right field to make an over the shoulder catch of Rob Wil-fong's pop fly to end the Twins' threat and put the Rebels within one game of their third SL championship in four years. Eschen's game-winning hit came in the sixth inning when he singled in Bob Adams to give winning pitcher Dave Tobik a 3-1 lead which reliever Julio Alonso made stand up. But there were anxious moments. Most of them were in the ninth inning with a steady rain falling. The Twins were trailing 3-2 going into the inning and Willie Norwood started things off with a single up the middle.

John Lonchar sacrificed him to second and Larry Wolfe sent a grounder up the middle that Eschen ranged behind to pick up in time to get Wolfe at first. With a wet ball giving him trouble, Alonso then threw eight straight balls to walk Ted Shipley and Jack Maloof and load the bases. Alonso went 1-1 on Wilfong before the Twin second baseman, popped one to right field that was too shallow for Dan Gonzales to reach. "I knew he hadn't hit it good and that I had to get it," Eschen said. "There wasn't a chance for him (Gonzales) to get to it." Alonso had another jam to work out of in the seventh.

After Tobik gave up a homer to Russ Noah and a single to Norwood to start the inning, Moss called in the lefthander. He got Lonchar to ground out and struck out Larry Wolfe, but catcher Adams let the curve ball get by him. 5 Vr --v'-. ftp1' A- Lonchar Gets Throw, Corcoran Slides by Underneath By RON BAREFIELD Assistant Sports Editor The Montgomery Rebels' longest losing streak of the regular season was three games. For them to lose the Southern League championship series with Orlando they would have to match that losing streak.

"We wouldn't lose three straight games to the Tigers," shortstop Tom Brookens said confidently after the Rebs had taken their second straight one run decision from the Twins Sunday afternoon. Saturday night, the Rebs won 4-3; Sunday it was 3-2. Jason Thompson, who hit a towering homer in the game, thinks the Rebels will end the season Monday night in Orlando. "We'll take them in three games," he said. "They are down after we beat them by one run two straight games and we have Mike Ibarguen pitching.

He has been our best pitcher during the last part of the season." Ibarguen has a 6-1 record. If he needs help stopping the Twins Monday night, Julio Alonso will be ready in the bullpen. Alonso, who was born in Cuba and signed this summer by the Tigers, threw a wet baseball well enough to save a victory for Dave Tobik, the Rebel starter. The Rebels wanted to play. They wanted to play so bad they took shovels and rakes in hand and got Pater-son Field in playable condition.

Rain delayed the start of the game for almost an hour as the Rebels did the work of a ground crew as the Orlando Twins watched from their dugout. If it hadn't been for the Rebel players, the game would have been postponed and moved to Orlando for the final four contests. As is, there may be just one more game in Orlando. tw 68- 66-64-64364 Alan Taoie, $2, 120 67-64-70-74 277 65- 66-68 68-267 Gary Wlnti, $2, 120 70-72-68-67-277 66- 69-69-68-272 Kermlt Zarley, $1,400 68-68-69-73-278 70-69-43-71273 Larry Hinson, 1,400 67-72-68-71278 69- 68-69-68 274 Mine McCul lough, $1,400 71-69-71-67 278 68-69-70-68275 Leonard Thompson, $1,400 66-72-70-70 278 70- 65-71-70276 Jin Oinh $1,400 71-68-70-69278 68-68-72-68276 Wally Armstrong, $1,400 73-69-68-68278 70-71-70-65276 Don lyerson, $1,400 69-69-71-69278 65-69-71-72277 Larry Ringer, $940 70-70-70-69 279 70-69-48-70 277 Jim Wiechers, $940 70-72-70-67279 70-65-74-68277 Mike Reasor, $940 71-71-69-68279 Hubert Green, J20.0OO Jonn Schroeder, SI 1,400 Terry Dill, $7,100 Bill Rogers, $4,700 Gieoy Gilbert. 54,100 Ben Crenshaw, $3,600 George Burns, 12,950 Sneaa, $2,950 Larry Nelson, $2,950 Mac McLendon, $2,120 Allen Miller, $2,120 Mar Hayes, $2,120 Tag Was Late, Corcoran Scores in ht on John Valle Double Orantes Survives, Watson Nips Jac With solid ins UoS.

Open Oil ft rough while Watson was safely on in three. Jack came out weakly and poorly, some 20-22 feet short of the pin. And Nicklaus, usually one of the most self-contained players in the game, began scowling, muttering and talking to himself as soon as he hit it. He missed the putt, took a bogey six and it was all but over. Watson made a routine par and suddenly held a four stroke lead with two holes to play.

Nicklaus birdied the last two holes, the 18th with a putt he estimated at 80-90 feet in length, but it really didn't matter. "By that time, I couldn't have cared less," Nicklaus said. "The 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th holes were the whole tournament," Nicklaus said. He bogeyed the 13th from the rough while Watson made par. Nicklaus had 15-foot birdie putts on the next two, and missed them both.

And on both of those Watson had to save par from bunkers. AKRON, Ohio (AP) British Open champion Tom Watson held off frustrated Jack Nick-laus with a solid one-over-par 71 and scored a relatively easy two-stroke victory Sunday in the last World Series of Golf to be played under its exclusive, four-man format. The red-haired, freckle-faced Watson, rapidly moving into the front rank of the game's premier players, won the first prize with a two-round total of 140, matching par on the demanding, Firestone Country Club course. Nicklaus, who won the Masters then acquired the PGA title on this course just a month ago, never got closer than two strokes in the mild, sunny weather and had to settle for second with a 70 and a 142 total. Nicklaus, a four-time winner of this event that brings together only the holders of the world's major titles, now has been runnerup six times.

U.S. Open titleholder Lou Graham and weary Tom Weis-kopf, the Canadian national champion, didn't get in the title chase. Weiskopf had a second-round 70 for a 145 and Graham shot 71-147. Nicklaus, who simply couldn't make anything happen-until the last two holes, when it was too late picked up $15,000 for second, pushing his career earnings at this course to an incredible $394,930. Weiskopf won $7,500 for third place and the last place Graham won $5,000.

Next year the World Series will move from Firestone, its home since its inception in 1962, to an as yet unannounced site. It's format will be expanded to include about 28-30 players. Watson, now a three-time winner this season, started the day's play with a three-stroke advantage and held it most of the way. He maintained the margin with gritty saves of par from bunkers on the 14th and 15th holes and all but wrapped it up when Nicklaus got in trouble on the 16th, the 625-yard par-five that wears the nickname "the Monster." Nicklaus put his third shot just over the green in deep passing shot, the crowd erupted into wild applause. Scores of admirers swarmed onto the center court and a cordon of security guards had to put Orantes into a pocket and escorl him to the sidelines where his wife, Virginia, crushed him in her arms.

Although Connors was carrying the colon of the United States against a foreign in vader, the crowd was predominantly pre Orantes, cheering him for the pluck he showed in Saturday night's victory and the poised manner in which he handled the rifle-like shots of the ever-attacking Connors. During the match, a segment of Spanish-speaking fans at one end of the stands kept up a constant chant of "Orantes, Orante, ole, ole." There was delay in action in the first game of the third set when some of the crowd became so enthusiastic that it yelled and hooted. One man rose to his feet and in thunderous voice, just as Connors was beginning to serve, yelled to Orantes, "How late were you up last night?" The crowd laughed loudly. The 23-year-old Connors, at the presentation ceremony immediately after the match, said: "He played unbelievable. I didn't think he could hit passing shots throughout the whole match, but unfortunately for me he did." FOREST HILLS, N.Y.

(AP) Manuel Orantes of Spain turned his tennis miracle into a story-book fantasy with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over heavily favored Jimmy Connors Sunday to win the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. It was unbelievable. It was unbelievable, that is to most of the 15,669 spectators at the West Side Tennis Club but not to the some 3,000 who saw him come off the floor twice for a semifinal, 3 hour, 40-minute triumph over Guillermo Vilas of Argentina Saturday night. In that match, he twice was left for dead, facing five match points, but he fought back for a marathon victory that ended under the lights at 10:45 p.m.

EDT. Everyone predicted that having to return to center court Sunday, with little sleep and emotionally and physically drained, he would be a sitting duck for the aggressive lefthanded defending champion from Belleville, 111, who is acclaimed the greatest player of this year. But he wasn't. The dark-haired 26-year-old stylist from Barcelona completely hypnotized Connors with a spectacular assortment of drop shots and lobs, mixed with flashing passing shots. When Orantes clinched the title, with its $25,000 first prize, on a rapier-like backhand AP Vinptoto Manuel Orantes Radiates Victory.