KEN VENTURI, A GOLFER PLAGUED BY INJURY FOR THREE YEARS, BATTLED SUFFOCATING HEAT AND A GRUELLING 36 HOLES YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) TO WIN THE NATIONAL OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN WASHINGTON.

THE SLENDER VENTURI, WHO ALMOST COLLAPSED IN THE HEAT, FINISHED WITH ROUNDS OF 56 AND 70 FOR A 72-HOLE TOTAL FOR THE DAY OF 278 -- TWO UNDER PAR. HIS VICTORY BLASTED ARNOLD PALMER'S BID FOR A GRAND SLAM.

PALMER WOUND UP WITH 75-286 IN ONE OF THE WORST COLLAPSES IN GOLF HISTORY -- BUT WAS CHEERED BY A STANDING CROWD AFTER HOLING OUT ON THE 18TH GREEN. HE FINISHED FOURTH.

IN SECOND PLACE WAS 29-YEAR-OLD TOMMY JACOBS WITH 70-76-282. SOUTHPAW BOB CHARLES OF NEW ZEALAND, BRITISH OPEN CHAMPION AND THE ONLY LEFTHANDER EVER TO WIN A MAJOR TITLE, FINISHED THIRD WITH 71-68-283, PASSING PALMER IN THE STRETCH.