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Rosales Holds Off Consistent Wie in Hawaii

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From Associated Press

Jennifer Rosales completed a wire-to-wire victory Saturday in the SBS Open, as 15-year-old Michelle Wie made a strong run before finishing two strokes behind in Kahuku, Hawaii.

Rosales was aware of Wie, who was playing in the group in front of her.

“I heard a lot of roars from the crowd, I knew it was her,” Rosales said. “She’s an amazing player. There’s no doubt about it. She’s going to give us a lot of challenges and make us work harder.”

Wie started the day five strokes behind Rosales, then shot her third consecutive 70 to finish tied for second. Playing on her home island of Oahu, Wie was trying to become the youngest golfer to win an LPGA event. She had to settle for her best finish in 18 LPGA starts.

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“This is the best finish I have had and it feels great to have it in my home state,” said Wie, the only player to shoot under par all three rounds. “It feels good.”

Rosales shot a one-over-par 73 and picked up her second tour win by finishing at eight-under 208 on the wind-swept Palmer Course.

Cristie Kerr shot a final-round 72 and tied with Wie for second.

The hometown favorite and only amateur in the event, Wie had trouble with her irons early but came on strong at the end, tapping in for a birdie on the par-five 18th hole.

But it was Rosales, 26, who held off her competitors and controlled the pin-bending, hat-grabbing trade winds that gusted up to 30 mph. She took home $150,000 of the $1-million purse.

She made a double bogey on the seventh hole and bogeys on 13 and 15, but no one was able to take advantage.

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Kevin Na and Geoff Ogilvy, looking for their first PGA Tour wins, shared first place after the third round of the Chrysler Classic of Tucson, an event known for producing first-time winners.

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Na and Ogilvy stepped up when second-round leader Mark Calcavecchia faltered.

Na had a seven-under 65 and Ogilvy shot 67 to finish tied at 18-under 198.

Doug Barron was a shot back after a 67. Calcavecchia, who lost three shots to par in two holes on the back nine, had a 71 and was tied with Lucas Glover (69) at 200.

Darron Stiles (67), Brent Geiberger (69) and Joe Ogilvie (69) were three shots off the pace, with Billy Mayfair in a group of seven at 202.

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Morris Hatalsky did all he could to put himself in position to win the rain-delayed Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at Lutz, Fla.

Now, he’ll wait a day -- maybe even two -- to find out if it’s enough.

Hatalsky was one of only 22 players to complete the second round of the Champions Tour event, which was shortened to 36 holes Saturday. The remainder of the tournament is scheduled to be played today, although heavy rain is forecast and the conclusion could be pushed back to Monday.

Hatalsky finished an opening-round 68 in the morning and followed with a 67 in the afternoon for a seven-under-par 135. Wayne Levi also completed the second round, posting a 68 to finish at 137.

Hale Irwin moved into contention with three consecutive birdies and an eagle on his way to a five-under 66 in the first round. Irwin got in three holes of the second round and was six under when play was suspended.

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There were 52 golfers on the course, and two waiting to tee off, when play was called just before nightfall.

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