Mize shows gratitude with 6-under-par 64
By Ferd Lewis and Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writers
Ray Stosik, tournament director of the Sony Open in Hawai'i, can expect a nice letter in the mail soon.
"They'll get a thank-you note from me, that's for sure," Larry Mize said yesterday after a 6-under-par 64 put him in a tie for fourth place, three strokes behind leader Shigeki Maruyama.
Mize
When the 46-year-old Mize finished 206th on the PGA money list in 2004, he lost his tour card and was forced to seek exemptions to play this year. The top 125 money winners have their cards automatically renewed.
Mize was a frequent participant at the United Airlines Hawaiian Open, the predecessor of the Sony, playing it regularly since 1983, his third year on the tour. He's had five top-15 finishes at Waialae Country Club and earned something of a following over the years.
So, when he needed to seek exemptions for this year, the Sony Open was on the top of his list. The letter he and his agent sent out reminded officials of his record, past history "and that I would love to come back."
Mize said: "You feel like you have a chance (for an exemption) because you've played some place a lot and think they might give you a shot. But, at the same time, you don't want to get your hopes up too much in case you don't get in and are disappointed."
Mize's request was granted and, as with Michelle Wie, he was granted a sponsor's exemption into the 144-player field.
Mize, who is best known for his 1987 Masters win, has made the most of his opportunity here with an opening round 70 followed by 69 and 64.
"I feel like that is probably the tournament director's least favorite (duty), having to decide who gets in and who doesn't," Mize said. "And, I'd like to thank them."
NOTES
Wie returns: There was a brief Michelle Wie sighting yesterday at Waialae where it was said she returned after missing Friday's cut to fulfill a media obligation. Unlike last year, she did not serve as a guest commentator on ESPN.
Tough finish: Dean Wilson and Greg Meyer, the only two Hawai'i players to make the cut, struggled through the final holes yesterday. Wilson was even-par until he double-bogeyed the 16th to finish at 2-over 72. Meyer bogeyed 15, 16 and 17 and shot 74.
Shortest distance: Bart Bryant is first in driving accuracy (78.6 percent) and greens in regulation (75.9 percent) after three rounds.
Automatic: Vijay Singh's last nine rounds at Waialae have been in the 60's.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044 and Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
