President Practices Spin Control Clinton Shows Body English During Father’s Day Outing

He grimaced, furrowed his brow, waved his hands in the air after a good shot and used a touch of lean-slowly-to-the-side body English to help the dimpled ball curve to find the hole.

President Clinton, still recovering from knee surgery three months ago, did everything but pick up a golf club Sunday as he watched the final round of the U.S. Open. The outing under a brilliant sunny sky was a Father’s Day gift from his 17-year-old daughter, Chelsea, who tagged along.

“Great championship!” Clinton shouted after watching South African Ernie Els win in a four-way duel down the stretch to finish at 4-under-par 276.

But like many of the 30,000 fans at Congressional Country Club, the Clintons were intent on getting a glimpse of 21-year-old rookie sensation Tiger Woods. Staking out a place under a green-and-white-striped tent beside the 16th hole, Chelsea borrowed a pair of powerful Secret Service binoculars to get a closer look at Woods as he hit his approach shot.

Concentrating on his game, Woods did not notice the Clintons, who joined the applause as he sank a 16-foot birdie putt. He thrust his fist into the air.

“Really?” Woods told a reporter when informed he had been under the gaze of Chelsea. “That’s the only putt I’ve made all week.”

Although Clinton kept a low profile, even turning down a chance to hand out the winner’s trophy, several golfers noticed him.

Approaching the 16th, Fuzzy Zoeller waved. The president gave him a thumbs-up in return.

Golfer David White of Little Rock, Ark., ran toward Clinton with his hand outstretched for a friendly shake. A Secret Service agent grabbed White’s arm and restrained him until Clinton intervened.

The president is itching to return to the links. In recent weeks, he has been testing his putter around the White House lawn.