DUBAI, United Arab Emirates » Michelle Wie, battling a bad back, had a roller-coaster round of 73 yesterday in the third round of the Dubai Ladies Masters. The Punahou graduate is at even-par 216 through 54 holes, eight shots behind the leaders, Iben Tinning of Denmark and Melissa Reid of England.

Wie, who went to the practice putting green after her round, lamented some missed opportunities on the front nine. She also had two bogeys and a double bogey on the par 5s on the back nine.

"I didn’t play well on the par 5 in the end. Oh well," Wie said of the 18th. "I didn’t make any birdie putts in the beginning, which is a struggle for me. Other than that, I played pretty solid. I just have to monkey with a couple of shots."

Kaneko moves up at Final Qualifying Tournament

Sacred Hearts graduate Ayaka Kaneko moved up 16 spots yesterday at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Kaneko fired a third-round 70 and is tied for 19th in the five-round event. The top 20 finishers will earn full 2011 exemptions. Kaneko is at 1-over 217, eight shots behind the leader, Libby Smith of Essex Junction, Vt.

Former Hilo resident Kimberly Kim also shot a 70 and is tied for 31st at 219. Shayna Miyajima of Wailuku shot 78 and is tied for 112th at 235.

American Gates leads Australian PGA

American Bobby Gates shot a 1-under 71 in windy conditions today to maintain a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Australian PGA.

Gates is at 12-under 204. He finished with a 10-foot par putt after missing the 18th green with his approach.

"I don’t think there was a stage where we knew what the wind was going to do," he said.

Australian Aaron Townsend shot a 70, leaving him tied for second with Champions Tour player Peter Senior, who shot a 68.