DATE: Monday, October 6, 1997               TAG: 9710060160

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C10  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  101 lines

THE 20-SOMETHING GOLFER YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW WITH WOODS GETTING THE LIMELIGHT, LIFE IS STILL BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR JUSTIN LEONARD.

He's in his 20s, he's won a major, and he's viewed as a power player in the future of professional golf.

But he's not Tiger Woods.

And for that, Justin Leonard is thankful.

While Woods has experienced a phenomenal first year as a professional golfer, he's also found that life in the public eye can be daunting.

Leonard, meanwhile, can still move about in public without too much fanfare.

``I've definitely been recognized more often since July,'' said Leonard, who marked his position in golf history by winning this year's British Open. ``But it's not a big nuisance. And it's not every day. I can pretty much go about my normal things.''

The humor wasn't lost on Leonard when he deboarded at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport the day after his British Open victory. In the crowd of hundreds to greet him were a half-dozen kids wearing ``I am Justin Leonard'' T-shirts.

It was a direct lift from Nike's ``I am Tiger Woods'' advertising campaign.

``A couple guys at Royal Oaks (his home course) thought that up,'' said Leonard, who autographed each of the T-shirts. ``I got a good laugh out of it.''

Believe it or not, Leonard finished with a better track record than Woods in this year's majors.

After winning the Masters in record fashion, Woods failed to post a top-15 finish in the other three.

Leonard, meanwhile, finished second to Davis Love III in the PGA Championship and tied for seventh at the Masters. He also was tied for 36th in the U.S. Open.

Woods has a firm grasp on this year's money title with $1,949,920 already in the bank. Leonard, who is second with $1,463,531, would love to catch him and pull off the improbable upset, but he doesn't see it happening.

``I'm playing in just two more events this year, Kingsmill and the Tour Championship,'' Leonard said. ``Tiger's playing in the last three. It's conceivable, yes, but a little far-fetched.''

Leonard changing his end-of-season plans is highly unlikely, seeing how he's a neat freak, be it his house or his schedule. During British Open week, fellow tour player Brad Faxon said Leonard is ``the most organized individual in the world. I'm sure he arranges his sock drawer in colors. He probably vacuums in straight lines. He's the kind of guy who, when he gets to his hotel, unpacks first. The maid doesn't need to come to his room.''

Leonard, speaking from his office at his home in Dallas, said, ``I got a kick out of Brad saying that, and he was right. Which is why looking at my desk right now makes me uncomfortable. I've got a decent-sized clutter on it, and there's a bunch of Ryder Cup boxes in here.

``I'm best when all my ducks are in a row.''

Preparedness being a key to the Leonard file, the 25-year-old arrived at Royal Troon Golf Club the Sunday before the British Open and played 80 practice holes.

``I just felt playing would be a lot better than practicing,'' Leonard said. ``Plus, I wanted to get used to the time change.''

It wasn't the first time Leonard had a protracted stay at the British Open. As 1992 U.S. Amateur champion, he had earned an invitation to golf's oldest major in 1993. In 1995 and 1996, he crossed the ocean and played his way into the tournament through Monday-Tuesday qualifiers.

Leonard had a exemption into the British this year as a top-20 money winner on the American tour after finishing 11th in earnings with $943,140 last season.

``I value the majors, but you can't qualify for The Masters or the PGA Championship,'' Leonard said. ``You can play your way into the British Open, so I did.''

The one year he didn't go he was at Williamsburg. After finishing a stellar career at the University of Texas - he was four-time Southwestern Conference champion and won the 1994 NCAAs - Leonard fished for sponsors' exemptions in the summer of 1994 and landed one from Michelob Championship tournament director Johnnie Bender.

Leonard finished third at Kingsmill, pocketed $74,800, and his pro career was off the ground.

He says he missed playing Kingsmill the last two years but having to qualify for the British Open wiped out any chance to return to Williamsburg. And he adds that he's tickled by The Michelob Championship's date change from the week before the British Open to mid-fall.

``I had a great week of golf when I was there, and I wanted to come back,'' Leonard said. ``Besides, they did me right the first time.''

For once, Leonard said he is looking forward to a little down time in the offseason. The hype from his British Open victory has made his life ``busier.''

Leonard will play in three events following the conclusion of the regular tour: a made-for-TV, two-day tournament bringing together the four winners of this year's majors, an event in Sun City, South Africa, and the Diners Club Matches in Palm Springs, Calif.

Other than that, ``I've got a couple favorite lakes in east Texas that I'll fish,'' he said. ``I don't have a lot of hobbies, but I'm going to try to enjoy my down time.''

There is also the matter of losing his built-in public relations secretary.

His older sister, Kelly, a mouthpiece for a Dallas public relations firm, has been sharing Justin's townhouse, but she's getting married in November.

``I couldn't charge her any rent, so she worked for me,'' laughed Leonard. ``I told her, though, that she has to move out. I can't have them both here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Justin Leonard is a self-proclaimed neat freak. Says

the 1997 British Open champ: ``I'm best when all my ducks are in a

row.''

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