Frazar leads Els by 1

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Harrison Frazar birdied the 18th hole at Waialae Country Club yesterday to take the lead at the Sony Open in Hawai'i. Frazer leads Ernie Els by a stroke entering today's final round. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Michelle Wie took to the other side of the microphone.

South Africa’s Ernie Els kept himself in contention to defend his Sony Open in Hawai‘i title.

Fifteen others, including Davis Love III and former champions Paul Azinger and Jerry Kelly, are within six shots.

Michelle Wie went from Punahou freshman who soared to mouth that roared.

A day after missing the cut by a shot, and becoming the first female to break par in a tour event, she first appeared as ESPN's guest in the announcers' tower, then was demoted to on-course commentator. The "Big Wiesy" described many, many putts as "medium slow," then interviewed the "Big Easy," who played a practice round with her Tuesday then led her cheering section the rest of the week.

"I watched yesterday afternoon and was trying to root her on, hopefully trying to get her to make the cut," Els said. "But she played great. She had a lot of attention, deservedly so. She did better than any other woman has ever done on our tour.

"She's got a good future ahead of her. She can probably play next year. I think she validated her exemption status in this tournament."

But this weekend, the Wie Watch is gone and the tour is back to being a Boys Club.

Frazar, who has never won on tour, will take a lead into the final round today at Waialae Country Club for the third time in his seven-year career. After putting himself into contention — he had just 24 — with a 7-under-par 63 Friday, he followed up with a 66 yesterday. Birdies on the last three holes left him at 14-under 196.

"On 13, I actually hit a perfect drive and then just got kind of crazy with the iron shot and missed in a bad spot," Frazar said. "That kind of calmed me down and made me start focusing."

Frazar hit the ball so solid he actually had to adjust mid-round and stop aiming approach shots 15 feet left. He stopped missing greens and, eventually, started making putts.

He hopes to make more winning adjustments today. Frazar's final-round plan includes getting in sync with Els' easy rhythm. The South African has won 47 times around the world, coming from two back to win here last year.

"I think it's going to be pretty easy playing with Ernie," Frazar said. "I look at it not only as a treat and an honor, but an advantage."

That doesn't mean Frazar will let Els, or anyone else, dictate what he does. He learned that at last year's Phoenix Open, when Vijay Singh sped by with a final-round 63.

"You can't sit back and watch what somebody is doing," he said. "You've got to play and attack and set a number in mind based on what the conditions are and what you see early in the round."

So far, the conditions at Waialae have been beautiful and benign. Gentle kona breezes have allowed nearly two-thirds of the scores to be par or better. Love's 63 was yesterday's best round, and he is still two shots back, surprised it's not more.

"You would think this course would be extremely low — everybody would be shooting low," said Love, who holds the WCC record with a 60 shot in 1994. "But I think maybe the rough is keeping it up. There's some good scores everyday, but there's not a lot of them."

Love, who has finished second twice here, eagled the ninth hole for the second straight day, two-hopping the ball into the hole from the bunker. He was third on the money list last year with a career-high four victories.

Els is the third-ranked golfer in the world, after Tiger Woods and Singh. He has had a major impact on this tournament since he started playing it in 2000, finishing fifth, fourth and first. Yesterday's 66 was his 15th consecutive round in the 60s at Waialae.

"I enjoy the course and it forces you to hit certain shots," said Els, who has only two bogeys all week. "I like going around here. In the past, it was a bit more difficult to shoot under 70 with the breezes, but this week it's been quite tame. You've still got to play good. You have to hit the ball well off the tees and you've got to stay patient. I like that type of golf."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.

Sony Open in Hawai'i

LEADERS

• Harrison Frazar -14
• Ernie Els -13
• Davis Love III -12
• Frank Lickliter II -12
• Paul Azinger -11
• Steve Allan -11
• Briny Baird -10
• Retief Goosen -9
• Stephen Ames -9
• Craig Barlow -9
• Corey Pavin -9
• John Riegger -9
• Michael Allen -8
• Jonathan Byrd -8
• Jerry Kelly -8
• Bo Van Pelt -7
• Carlos Franco -7
• Jonathan Kaye -7
• Craig Bowden -7
• John Huston -7
• Jesper Parnevik -7
• Luke Donald -7
• Jason Dufner -6
• Pat Perez -6
• Vijay Singh -6

ALSO:

• Peter Jacobsen -2
• Scott Simpson -1
• David Ishii +1

TODAY

LEADERS' TEE TIMES: 12:43—Briny Baird, Retief Goosen. 12:52—Paul Azinger, Steve Allan. 1:01—Davis Love III, Frank Lickliter II. 1:10—Harrison Frazar, Ernie Els.

ADMISSION: $15 for adults; children 12-under free with ticket-bearing adult.

TV: ESPN, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

INFORMATION: 523-7888