You just knew that Dean Wilson would be in the last group going into today's final round of the Prince Resorts/TaylorMade Hawai'i State Open.

After all, he's a PGA Tour professional who has earned more than $3.7 million in the last two years.

But in a threesome with a former national racquetball champion and a high school sophomore?

That's the scenario after Wilson took a one-stroke lead over Joe Phengsavath with a 36-hole score of 135 after opening with an 8-under-par 64 Friday.

Yesterday, it was Phengsavath's turn to shoot a 64 — a tournament low for the former racquetballer.

The two pros will be joined by Punahou School's Bradley Shigezawa, who put together back-to-back 69s at the Hawai'i Prince Golf Club to be at 138 with John Lynch. Shigezawa joins the last group because he finished his round before Lynch, who shot a 66 and will be in the penultimate group with Kevin Shimomura 68—140 and David Ishii 71—141.

Both Phengsavath and the 15-year-old Shigezawa are looking forward to playing with Wilson.

"He's picking on us, playing with us guys," Phengsavath said. "It's a bonus for me, just playing with him."

Shigezawa feels the same way. "I'm really excited to be playing with him. I'm excited to see how my game stacks up with a PGA Tour professional."

Wilson won't be taking it easy even if he's home to visit his parents for Thanksgiving.

"Of course, I want to win. It's a golf tournament," said the Kane'ohe native who now resides in Las Vegas, Nev.

Wilson saw his five-stroke lead dwindle to one despite five birdies yesterday.

"I made a couple of mistakes that led to double bogeys," Wilson said. He had to take an unplayable after his second shot at the par-5 sixth hole (B6) and pulled his tee shot into the water at the 11th (the second hole on Hawai'i Prince's C Course).

Meanwhile, Phengsavath went on a birdie binge, with nine in his round. His only bogey came at the par-3 16th (C-7) when he missed the green and a 3-foot putt to save par.

Forty-three players made the cut at 151 or better in the championship flight.

Ron Kiaaina Jr. (70—141) leads seniors' defending champion Leland Lindsey by two strokes, while 13-year-old Cyd Okino (72—148) is trying to make it two in a row in the women's division. She also leads by two shots over Nicole Sakamoto, a Kalani High School senior.

The first tee time is 8 this morning with Wilson's threesome starting at 9:40.