Golf / Washington Open -- Liedes Wins With Putting

TACOMA - Funny game, golf. Keith Liedes had been struggling with his putting for a month, but on the practice green at Tacoma Golf and Country Club his stroke suddenly "felt good."

Five and a half hours later, Liedes and his wife-caddie, Muriel, felt good, too, after his putting proved to be the difference yesterday in the $75,000 Washington Open.

Liedes, an Aberdeen resident who is a pro at Grays Harbor Country Club, missed only one makable putt all day and nailed the one that mattered most - an 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. His 2-under-par 70 gave him an 8-under 208 total and the first-place check of $8,000.

If he had missed, Liedes would have faced a playoff with Todd Erwin of the Performance Golf complex in Gig Harbor and Doug Campbell, head pro at Auburn Golf Course. Erwin and Campbell had missed eagle putts of 12 and 18 feet on the final hole.

Campbell wouldn't have needed the eagle if a 3-foot par putt on the par-3 17th hole hadn't lipped out.

Erwin, a Nike Tour member who is staying in the Northwest, missed five birdie putts from within 12 feet during the round.

"That's golf," the two-time Washington Open winner said laconically.

Campbell, the leader entering the final round after going 69-66 Monday and Tuesday, held a four-stroke lead early yesterday but finished with a 74.

Liedes took a two-stroke lead over Campbell and Erwin with a birdie on the par-4 14th hole after they bogeyed it because of errant drives.

One hole earlier, Liedes had been in trouble off the tee, but he hit a soaring pitching wedge over tall poplar trees and onto the green from 130 yards. After the shot landed, three spectators raced to where he had hit the shot to see the predicament he had faced and marvel at the recovery.

This was the biggest career victory for Liedes, 36, who grew up in Ocean Shores and played collegiate golf at Western Washington and Washington.

The best-known golfer in the field, self-professed "golf guinea pig" Rick Acton, shot a 2-over 74 yesterday to finish at even-par 216.

Acton, competing for the first time with an artificial left knee, said, "I ran out of gas the last seven or eight holes. . . . I couldn't make a full swing. . . . I got through three days, and I didn't embarrass myself, so I'm OK."

Embarrass himself? The two-year veteran of the Senior PGA Tour was the first-day leader with a 66. He said his second-round 76 was the result of rare mental mistakes.

Acton used a motorized cart in the tournament but was on his feet a lot.

He plans to play in the Oregon Open next month and then the national Senior Players Championship in July.