KAHUKU — Becky Iverson finds herself in a three-way tie for first place in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay entering today's final round.

A challenging situation to be sure as she looks over her shoulder at Sung Ah Yim and Joo Mi Kim, who are also at 9-under par 135. Though perhaps nothing like what the single mom will likely encounter before she steps on the course today, when she tries to walk her 2 1/2-year-old daughter off to the LPGA Tour-operated child development center for the afternoon.

That's when Emma, who has accompanied her here, may, as she is wont to do, plead with eyes and words the message: " 'I don't want you to go play putt putt.' "

As heart-tugging a scene as it may be, visions of a day full of potential like today are precisely what have brought Iverson back to the Tour with a renewed passion and purpose.

They are what have seen her persevere through the grind of qualifying school each of the past two years. They are what have driven her to reshape her game and, more important, her attitude.

This winter she left her Michigan home and hit the road for Florida, knocking around an off-season mini tour the past couple of months to be ready for this season-opening tournament and what follows.

After finishing 120th or lower on the LPGA money list each of the past three years, costing her a Tour card, the 38-year-old Iverson knows her days on the circuit are numbered.

"I have a couple of more years left before she (Emma) starts kindergarten and then I have to think about it (retirement)," Iverson said. "I figure this is going to be one of my last years. I have two or three years and I will have to quit. I want to have a couple of good ones."

The $150,000 first-prize riding on today's final 18 holes would be as good as it has gotten in Iverson's 12 previous LPGA campaigns. It would be double the check she took home after her only tour win, the 1995 Friendly's Classic. And better the winnings of her last three years on Tour combined.

So, when Iverson had to come in early to finish the final three holes of Thursday's rain-abbreviated opening round yesterday and follow it up with the regular 18, she knew what had to be done. She was up for the challenge with five birdies on the way to a 3-under 69 that complemented her opening-round 66.

"I don't think I could have gone 27 (holes)," Iverson said. "I was getting a little tired toward the end."

Today, however, it is a different ballgame. Days like this are what she plays for now and there will be no more compelling reminder of what powers her than the daughter that sees her off on the way to the tee.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.