Wilson among the leaders in Pearl Open tournament

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, Fiji's Dinesh Chand and Japan's Kiyoshi Murota share the lead going into today's final round of the 24th Hawai'i Pearl Open. All three leaders play on the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

Murota, the 1997 Pearl champion, had yesterday's best round at Pearl Country Club, a 5-under-par 67. His two-day total is 4-under 140. Chand shot a 69 and Wilson — a first-round co-leader — had a 71.

Former champions Greg Meyer (72) and Kevin Hayashi (69), along with California pro Todd Fisher (72), are one shot back. Hawai'i's Beau Yokomoto (70) is in a group of three tied at 142. Manoa Cup champion Ryan Koshi (70-143) is the low amateur.

The leaders tee off at 11 a.m. today. The $80,000 tournament offers a $12,000 first prize, and two round-trip tickets to Japan on Japan Airlines. There is no admission charge.

Michelle Wie, a 12-year-old who was the first female to play in the tournament, missed the cut. Wie shot 81 yesterday for a 36-hole total of 155. The top 80 and ties advanced to the final round, with the cut coming at 153.