Kim holds off hard-charging Wie to capture Dubai Ladies Masters crown

APDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim clinched victory in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters by three strokes on Saturday, but she was pushed all the way by Michelle Wie. A strong finish to a round of 68 saw Kim win with a four-round aggregate of 18-under-par 270 at the season-ending tournament on the Ladies European Tour. Kim, playing on an invitation, was placed eighth after a first-round of 70 but shot into the lead with a second round of 65 and never looked back. She earned a three-stroke lead courtesy of a third-round 67 and sealed the win in style Saturday with a birdie on the par-5 18th — her fifth birdie of the day. “I’m very excited to win this week,” said Kim, 21, who took up golf at the age of nine but moved to the United States from South Korea at age 16. “Michelle had a great turn. She had six birdies until 13 and was very impressive,” she added. “But I tried to keep playing my game, and I think I did a good job.” Wie finished second after a sizzling 65, which included seven birdies on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club. The 20-year-old was 15 under par with only the 515-yard par-5 18th to play, but her title hopes drowned as she hit her second shot into the lake short of the green. She managed to save par after an excellent recovery shot to within three feet of the hole from over the lake. “All I had to do was go left at least. I just didn’t put a good swing on it. It was just stupid,” Wie said. “I feel like I had a good run going. “Just the 18th hole, I was annoyed by that second shot. But, other than that, I felt like I tried my hardest out there and I gave it my all,” she explained. “If I fall a little short, I tried my best today.” First-round leader Maria Hjorth of Sweden finished with 68 to take outright third at 14 under. Four players, including the newly-named LET Rookie of the Year Anna Nordqvist, tied for fourth on 11-under 277. Sophie Gustafson of Sweden won the LET money title after finishing 6 under and tied for 14th, which was good enough to beat Catriona Matthew of Scotland, who finished at 8 under in 12th.