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Not playing like a rookie

Fukushima has one-shot lead at Philips Invitational

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Posted: Saturday May 22, 1999 06:37 PM

Akiko Fukushima recorded 13 wins on the Japanese Tour and qualified for the LPGA Tour on her first attempt. AP

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Playing with poise belying her status as a rookie on the LPGA tour, Akiko Fukushima shot a 5-under-par 65 Saturday and increased her lead to four strokes after three rounds of the inaugural Philips Invitational.

Fukushima is at 14-under 196 after 54 holes at the 6,101-yard Onion Creek Country Club course.

"My father called me Friday night from Japan and kept saying, `Stay calm. Stay cool,'" Fukushima said through her interpreter.

"I think he was the one who needed to stay calm and stay cool."

Rookie Mi Hyun Kim of South Korea and tour veteran Beth Daniel were tied for second.

Kim also had a 65 Saturday, while Daniel, whose record-breaking nine straight birdies Friday put her into contention going into the third round, finished with a 68.

Kim, who was inspired to try the LPGA tour with the success of countrywoman Se Ri Pak last year, didn't have a bogey in the third round and knows what she wants to do in Sunday's final round.

"I plan to attack the course and not play defensively," Kim said through her interpreter.

Daniel, likely the sentimental favorite looking for her first win on LPGA tour since 1995, lamented the birdie possibilities she left on the course Saturday.

Philips Invitational Leaderboard Place Name Score 1. 2. 2. 4. 5. 5. 7. 7. 7. 10. Akiko Fukushima Mi Hyun Kim Beth Daniel Charlotta Sorenstam Juli Inkster Vicki Fergon Janice Moodie Silvia Cavalleri Leta Lindley Pearl Sinn -14 -10 -10 -8 -7 -7 -5 -5 -5 -4

No fewer than four holes on the back side were legitimate birdie chances for her, but she couldn't convert.

"I gave myself a chance," Daniel said, "and that's all you can ask for. I hit the ball well, but couldn't get it in the hole. I'm just happy to be in contention again. It's nice to have a chance on Sunday. I plan to enjoy it."

Still, no one seems to be enjoying the $800,000 event honoring the late Harvey Penick, one of the sport's most famous teachers, more than Fukushima, who has 13 victories on the Japanese tour.

"Overall, I was pleased with my play today," she said. "I was more relaxed than I thought I would be. But as far as tomorrow ... well I think I might be very nervous."

Fukushima, who bogeyed the first hole she played Thursday and has had only two more since, is trying to become just the third wire-to-wire winner on the LPGA tour this season.

Karrie Webb accomplished that at The Office Depot event Jan. 30 and at the Australian Ladies Masters Feb. 28.

"I don't she her coming down much," said Daniel, who was in Fukushima's threesome Saturday and will be her playing with her Sunday as well.

"She didn't hit her drives well Saturday, but she got away with it," said Daniel, who has won 32 times in her 21-year career. "She seems to be in a groove."

Fukushima, who first played with Daniel as a 15-year-old high school student when Daniel was touring in Japan, had only the one blip Saturday - a bogey on the 388-yard 14th hole.

Fukushima drove into the trees, had no shot out, punched the ball into the fairway and scrambled for the bogey.

She responded with a birdie on No. 15.

"You see, she's managing herself very well out there," Daniel said.

 

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