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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 13, 2009

Kim takes Wie's best shot to claim Dubai by three


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Michelle Wie after her final-round 65 gave her second place in the Dubai Ladies Masters yesterday.

NOUSHA SALIMI | Associated Press

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Michelle Wie's late charge fell short at the Dubai Ladies Masters yesterday and In-Kyung Kim of South Korea claimed a three-shot victory at the season-ending tournament for her first European Tour title.

Honolulu's Wie shot a 7-under 65, tied for the day's best round, but the 13th-ranked Kim responded to the pressure with a 4-under 68 that left her at 18-under 270. Maria Hjorth of Sweden was third at 274 after a 68.

"Michelle had a great turn. She had six birdies until 13 and that was very impressive," said Kim, who pocketed the $109,601 top prize. "But I tried to keep playing my game and I think I did a good job. I knew I was playing well and had nothing to worry (about)."

Wie could have made Kim sweat on No. 18, but her attempt to reach the green in two failed when her ball rolled back into a water hazard. Wie made par but the pressure was off Kim.

"All I had to do was go left at least. I just didn't put a good swing on it. It was just stupid," said Wie, who earned $88,776. "I feel like I had a good run going. Just the 18th hole, I was kind of annoyed by that second shot. But you know, other than that, I felt like I tried my hardest out there and I gave it my all."

Sweden's Sophie Gustafson, who finished at 6 under and tied for 14th, did enough to win the European Tour's Order of Merit.

ELSEWHERE

Australian PGA: Robert Allenby made a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 5-under 66 and a one-stroke lead yesterday in the Australian PGA at Coolum, Australia. The Australian has a 54-hole total of 9-under 204 on the Hyatt Regency resort course. Fellow countrymen Scott Strange (68) and Greg Chalmers (67) were tied for second at 205.

Shark Shootout: Steve Stricker birdied No. 18 to finish a run of five birdies in six holes yesterday that got he and Jerry Kelly to 13-under 131 after the second round of the Shark Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. Fla. Stricker and Kelly shot a 7-under 65 in better-ball format for a one-shot lead over three teams.

Alfred Dunhill: Spain's Pablo Martin shot a 1-under 71 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over three-time winner Ernie Els and fellow South African Charl Schwartzel in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Malelane, South Africa. Martin is at 14-under 202 on the Leopard Creek Country Club course. Els shot 69, Schwartzel shot 68.

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