Weiskopf Playing Partner, Stahl, `A Major Distraction'

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Defending champion Tom Weiskopf complained about playing partner Jim Stahl and criticized the USGA for even putting Stahl in the same group with him for the first two rounds at the U.S. Senior Open.

Weiskopf, who shot 75s in the first two rounds to barely make the cut, said, "First of all, I am not going to blame him for my play. . . . Having him there, though, was a distraction. A major distraction."

Stahl is the U.S. Senior Amateur champion. The USGA traditionally groups its U.S. Senior Open champion with the Senior Amateur winner.

Weiskopf was quoted in yesterday's Cleveland Plain Dealer as saying his problems with Stahl began on the 11th green of the first round, when Stahl marked his ball with a quarter instead of a non-reflective penny.

He also complained of Stahl's "absurd" speed of play and said Stahl once hit out of turn.

Stahl, who missed the cut by nine shots with a pair of 80s, was mortified.

"I'm crushed about this whole thing," Stahl said. "I have never been treated like this in my life."

Stahl said he might never play in the Senior Open again.