South Korean In Kyung-Kim never blinked despite a spirited charge from Michelle Wie on the final day to win the 500,000-euro Dubai Ladies Masters by three shots from the American star here Saturday. Kim, who is ranked one place below Wie at number 13 in the world, started the day with a three-putt bogey, but was consistency personified thereafter as she closed with a four-under par round of 68 for a four-day total of 18-under par 270.
Wie, who celebrated finishing her final exams early in the morning, charged up the leaderboard with a seven-under par 65, but that was good enough only for second place at 15-under 273. Sweden's Maria Hjorth, leader after the first round, was third, a shot behind Wie. Frenchwoman Virginie Lagoutte-Clement matched Wie's best round of the day and the 65 catapulted her to tied fourth place at 11-under along with Laura Davies of England, Tania Elosegui of Spain and Swede Anna Nordqvist.
Wie, who was frustrated by her putting for the first three days, suddenly started draining everything. After a solid front nine of three birdies, she picked up shots in three consecutive holes starting the 11th - all courtesy putts of over 10 feet. However, her attempt to go for the green in two on the par-5 18th, proved costly as she hit her second shot into the water guarding the front of the green.
She did manage a par there, but the pressure as well and truly off Kim. "I felt pretty good about my life, being done with the finals and everything. I just went out there and I was like, We're in Dubai, I have one more day left, let's just give it my all'. I gave it my all out there," said Wie.