NUTS to you: Squirrels a menace at Open

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Say this about the squirrels at Southern Hills: They're bold. <br><br>The critters scooted on and off the course during Saturday's third round of the U.S. Open, nearly interfering

Sunday, June 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Say this about the squirrels at Southern Hills: They're bold.

The critters scooted on and off the course during Saturday's third round of the U.S. Open, nearly interfering with play a couple of times.

A squirrel racing across the eighth green nearly struck Nick Faldo's ball as it rolled toward the cup. The Englishman jokingly held his putter like a hunting rifle, staring down the shaft and firing off a few mock rounds at the creature.

``That would be a pesky outside agency,'' quipped David Fay, executive director of the U.S. Golf Association, using terminology from the official rule book. ``And I don't think it has a credential, either.''

At No. 12, another squirrel scampered across a bunker where Sergio Garcia's ball was lodged. The animal was shooed away before it could do any damage.