Wie moves in the right direction

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Michelle Wie's final-round 69 at Wegmans LPGA is a good building block for the Hawaii teenager as she prepares for this week's U.S. Women's Open.

Wie dropped from No. 2 to No. 200 in the world in a matter of two years, but will likely rise a bit when the new numbers are released today. The Stanford freshman has shown signs of life in her last two events, finishing in a tie for 24th yesterday to earn $18,887.

This week Wie is paired with former Big Island girl Kimberly Kim. Punahou's Cyd Okino also qualified.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. » Three strokes behind with six holes to play in the Wegmans LPGA, Eun-Hee Ji found a way to get around Norwegian star Suzann Pettersen.

"I thought if I chase her like this, Suzann would feel pressure," the South Korean said after shooting a 5-under 67 to beat Pettersen by two strokes at the tricky Locust Hill course with a 16-under 272 total.

A 22-year-old in her second year on the tour, Ji won her first LPGA Tour title. Her previous best was a second-place finish behind Pettersen in South Korea in October in the Kolon Championship.

"I'm like a fly in the sky," Ji said through a translator. "I cannot describe what I feel right now. Last year, Suzann beat me and today I beat Suzann, so now I have a confidence. ... If all the tournaments are like today, I could probably win more."

Hawaii's Michelle Wie closed with a 69 to tie for 24th.

She had previous rounds of 71, 71 and 73 to finish at 4-under 284 for the tournament.

Pettersen's three-shot lead over Ji at the start of the final round dissolved over the first three holes. Pettersen restored her cushion on No. 12, but Ji bolted in front for the first time with a 7-foot birdie putt on No. 15, where Pettersen missed a 5-footer for par. Pettersen finished with a bogey for a 72.

"I just got out-raced," said the 28-year-old Pettersen, who won five times in 2007 and has finishes of second, third and ninth this year. "There's so many good young players. They just stay in there. ... You just got to keep knocking on that door. Hopefully it will open."

Jeong Jang (69), who won in Rochester in 2006, tied for third at 12 under with fellow South Korean Hee-Won Han (69).

Cristie Kerr (69), preparing for her title defense in the U.S. Women's Open, finished fifth at 11 under, two ahead of top-ranked Lorena Ochoa (69), Christina Kim (68), Japan's Ai Miyazato (72) and South Korean Inbee Park (74).

Ochoa, a six-time winner this year, won in Rochester in 2005 and 2007. With $2 million in season earnings, she extended her lead over Annika Sorenstam (69) to more than a half-million dollars. The Swede, who finished at 2 under in a tie for 33rd, is stepping away from the tour at the end of the season.

Ji already had ties for fourth and ninth this year and earned $300,000 in the $2 million tournament to surge from 42nd to 10th on the money list with $471,413.

Ji's caddie, Zac Austin, is from Hawaii.