Maruyama clings to one-stroke lead

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Riding on the wings of a weird wind and a spectacular shot, Shigeki Maruyama takes a one-shot advantage into today's final round of the Sony Open in Hawai'i.

Shigeki Maruyama had reason to smile after shooting a 2-under 68 that included a hole-in-one on No. 4. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Maruyama at first didn't believe the ball went in. When he was assured it had, he raised his arms in triumph and the grin that has kick-started countless golf games in Japan was his companion the rest of the afternoon. So was Isao Aoki, whose "miracle eagle" won the 1983 Hawaiian Open while 14-year-old Shigeki Maruyama watched at home in Chiba.

"I knew that was a good ball after I hit it," Maruyama said through an interpreter. "But no one, even me, was expecting that ball to go into the hole. I should do more over-reacting after the ball went in the hole, but I wasn't expecting it so that was a disappointment to me — no over-reaction for ESPN."

Brett Quigley would overtake Maruyama with birdies on the ninth, 10th and 11th to go 10-under. A bogey at No. 15 left them tied until Maruyama birdied the final hole, barely missing an eagle putt. He is at 10-under-par 200. Quigley is a shot back.

Maruyama won nine times in Japan before joining the PGA Tour in 2000. He has won three times since, but was shut out last year despite finishing 23rd on the money list. He is hoping the wicked wind that has toughened up Waialae will keep up today, blowing away low scores.

Quigley has collected nearly $4 million in eight years on the tour, but has yet to win. To reverse his fortunes, he played more than a month straight with his uncle, Champions Tour player Dana Quigley, during the "offseason. Brett is also focusing more on having fun this year, instead of letting "expectations get in the way."

"I haven't hit it great this week," said Quigley, who salvaged par on the 16th after slicing his drive 80 yards right, into the TV compound. "If you look at the stats, I'm sure they are not too good. But I haven't judged anything, haven't attached any meaning to anything, and that's when I play well. I just go and play and if I hit it in the junk, go find it and find a way back into the fairway.

"It's a sick game. We're always trying for perfection and we never achieve it, so we all can be our own worst enemy. Some guys handle it better than others."

Maruyama and Quigley promise a final round filled with perpetual smiles today. Their closest pursuers run the gamut from practically grizzled to barely shaving.

Paul Azinger, 45, is alone in third, two shots back after a bogey-free 67. His 12th — and last — win came here five years ago. It was also his first since he was diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of 1993.

Kane'ohe's Dean Wilson reacts after just missing a birdie on No. 13. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

It has been 18 years since Larry Mize, 46, won the Masters, and a dozen years since his last victory. But he shares fourth with Robert Gamez after firing a 64. Gamez, who used to represent Ko Olina, hasn't won since he was 21. That was 15 years ago.

Charles Howell III, 25, also shot 64 to share sixth place with reigning Player of the Year Vijay Singh, 41. They have 25 tour wins between them — 24 are Singh's.

"This year, frankly, I just need to win," Howell said. "I've only won one and finished second five times."

Eighth place is another intriguing mix of old — Tom Lehman, 45, and Bart Bryant, 42 — and new — 24-year-olds Adam Scott and Justin Rose.

Two-time defending champion Ernie Els is eight back after shooting 70.

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