Wie reaches Publinx final
Michelle Wie played her best two rounds of the week to get where everyone expected her to be — playing today for her second straight U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links title, at Williamsburg, Va.
The 14-year-old sensation, who became the youngest Publinx winner a year ago, beat No. 2 qualifier Jenna Pearson 5 and 4 in the quarterfinals and then outlasted Angela Park 2 and 1 in the semifinals.
Wie will play Ya-Ni Tseng of Taiwan, who beat In-Bee Park of Eustis, Fla., 1-up in the other semifinal. Earlier, the 15-year-old Tseng beat Ashley Grier of Hagerstown, Md., in the completion of a 22-hole third-round match, then ousted Hannah Jun of San Diego 7 and 5 in the quarterfinals.
Having reached the final, Wie said she was relieved.
“A lot of people expected a lot of me this year,” she said. “I kind of felt that. I saw my picture on the program. It was a lot of pressure.”
She felt it most against Park, of Torrance, Calif., who took her only lead on the third hole but matched Wie almost shot-for-shot throughout.
“My heart was in my lungs the whole time,” Wie said. “I had to make so many putts and I’m so proud of myself that I did.”
She’ll chase another big goal in the championship match.
“I really want to win this tournament,” she said. “I made it this far and I don’t want to drop at the end. … Winning two times in a row hasn’t been done since 1989, and I really want to do it.”
Pearl Sinn won it in 1988 and 1989.
Booz Allen Classic
Adam Scott took a six-stroke lead in the Booz Allen Classic at Potomac, Md., shooting a 4-under 67 in windy conditions.
The 23-year-old Australian had an 18-under 195 total to match the 54-hole TPC at Avenel record set by Hal Sutton in 1991.
Scott also tied the lowest 54-hole total on the PGA Tour this year. Phil Mickelson had a 195 total in the Bob Hope Classic, and David Toms did the same in the St. Jude Classic.
Olin Browne (71) was second at 12 under, and Arron Oberholser (68) and Charles Howell III (72) were 11 under.
PGA Club Pro Championship
Jeff Coston shot a 2-under 70 to take a two-shot lead after three rounds of the PGA Club Professional Championship at Nashport, Ohio.
Coston, a 48-year-old teaching pro at Semiahmoo Golf Resort in Blaine, Wash., had a course-record 64 Friday and is at 12-under 204 at Longaberger Golf Club.
“Maybe if I won the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship, my life would change,” Coston said. “But even if I win this I’ll still be back at work next week.”
Bob Sowards of suburban Columbus matched the low round of the day with a 69 and was two back at 206.
Looking toward the final round, Coston said he wouldn’t get caught up in what his closest pursuer and playing partner was doing.
University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small shot a 70 and was at 208. Small was the first-round leader after a 66, then fell four shots behind Coston with a second-round 72.
Robert Thompson Jr. of Huntsville, Texas, shot a 72 and was at 209, followed by Chip Sullivan of Roanoke, Va., at 210 after a 71.
Rochester LPGA
Kim Saiki remained on course for her first victory in 13 years on the LPGA Tour, shooting a 4-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead over Rosie Jones in the Rochester LPGA at Pittsford, N.Y.
Saiki, a 38-year-old Californian who has four career runner-up finishes, had a 13-under 203 total. Jones, looking for her third victory in seven years on the Locust Hill course, shot a 67.
Candie Kung (73) was five strokes back at 8 under, and Annika Sorenstam (71) topped a four-player group at 7 under.
Bank of America Championship
Tom Purtzer shot a 5-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead over Walter Hall and John Jacobs into the final round of the Bank of America Championship at Concord, Mass.
Purtzer had an 11-under 133 total on the Nashawtuc Country Club course. Jacobs shot a 67, and Walter Hall had a 68. Tom Kite (69), Jerry Pate (68) and John Harris (70) were three back at 8 under.