Miñoza fires 73 for 22nd

Frankie Miñoza closed out his stint in the rich Kirin Open the way he started it — struggling — as the Filipino shotmaker limped with a two-over par 73 yesterday and finish in joint 22nd place in the $819,000 event successfully defended by Shingo Katayama.

Miñoza wound up with a 288 that included rounds of 73-70 and 72 as he finished way behind the winning 271 of Katayama who fired a 67 to run away with a six-stroke victory over compatriot Hajime Meshiai who sizzled with a 64 and a 277.

In Lincolon, California, Se Ri Pak used a late flurry of birdies Saturday to shoot a one-under 71 and take a one-stroke lead over Michele Redman going into the final round of the rain-shortened tournament.

Dorothy Delasin birdied two of the seven holes to salvage an even-par 72 as the Fil-Am Rookie of the Year awardee moved to 38th place from a share of 65th in the first round. She had 147.

But compatriot Jennifer Rosales, who had a 73 in the first round, limped with a 76 on five bogeys against one birdie although she made the cut at 149.