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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 1, 2007

SBS Open draws 9 of top 10

Advertiser Staff

The initial commitment sheet is out for the third annual SBS Open at Turtle Bay, Feb. 15 to 17 at the resort's Palmer Course. The few names missing are as compelling as the many who are in.

Annika Sorenstam, the world's finest female golfer, has not yet committed. She did not play the first two SBS Opens. LPGA rules require golfers in the top 90 to play every event at least once in four years. That would mean if Sorenstam again does not play Turtle Bay, her attendance would be mandatory in 2008.

Michelle Wie will definitely not play the SBS Open, according to her father, BJ. She is working four times a week with her physical therapist to try and heal her right wrist and is "feeling much better."

The Punahou senior was second at the 2005 SBS Open. Wie, who can only accept six exemptions a year as a non-member, did not play in 2006 because her schedule was full.

Joo Mi Kim won the 2006 SBS Open, nearly holing out from the fairway on the second playoff hole to beat Soo Young Moon. Lorena Ochoa, 2006 LPGA Player of the Year, was ousted on the first playoff hole.

Ochoa has committed to SBS, as has Kim. The defending champ is one of nine Kims in the field, including Hawai'i amateur Kimberly Kim, who received an exemption because she won the 2006 U.S. Women's Amateur title.

Sorenstam, so far, is the only player from last year's top 10 on the money list not to commit. Ochoa (No. 1), Karrie Webb (2), Julieta Granada (4), Cristie Kerr (5), Juli Inkster (6), Mi Hyun Kim (7), Jeong Jang (8), Pat Hurst (9) and Paula Creamer (10) are all in. Webb and Inkster are in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Former Rainbow Wahine Cindy Rarick is also playing, along with Turtle Bay's Dorothy Delasin, Natalie Gulbis, Ai Miyazato, 2005 SBS champ Jennifer Rosales and 2006 Fields Open in Hawai'i winner Meena Lee.

Wie played in last year's inaugural Fields Open, finishing a shot out of the playoff ultimately won by Meena Lee. BJ Wie said a decision has not yet been made about Michelle's participation in this year's Fields Open, Feb. 22 to 24 at Ko Olina Golf Club. Organizers do not expect Wie to play.

The SBS Open is the first full-field event of the 2007 LPGA season. It opens with a Valentine's Day Pro-Am and a limited number of spots are still available. For information, call 792-9333.