Michelle Wie of the US won her second career title going wire-to-wire to capture the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open on Sunday.
She fired a two-under 70 to reach 12-under after four rounds at the St Charles Country Club for a three-stroke win over Shin Ji-yai, Suzann Pettersen, Lee Young-jee and Kristy McPherson.
“I made a lot of crucial putts today,” said Wie, who won her first career stroke-play tournament at the LPGA Mexico event in November last year.
PHOTO: REUTERS
South Korea’s Shin shot a one-over 73 and tied for second with McPherson of the US (66), defending champion Pettersen of Norway (69) and Lee of South Korea (69).
Taiwan’s Candie Kung carded a 75 for an even-par 288, while compatriot Amy Hung was two shots further back after a 72. Teresa Lu’s 75 left her on three-over 291, rounding up the Taiwanese players’ scores after Yani Tseng missed the cut on Friday.
Heading into the final round, the 20-year-old Wie and Shin were tied for the lead. Shin played with Wie in the final pairing, but stumbled down the stretch.
It has been a career of extreme highs and lows for Wie, who at 10-years-old was the youngest player to qualify for the US Amateur Championship. She once held aspirations of playing full-time on the men’s USPGA Tour, but a string of mediocre performances on the LPGA Tour ended that plan.
Wie, who is projected to move to No. 7 in the world rankings, is also scheduled to return to university in California in a couple of weeks.
To celebrate her win, Wie was given a champagne shower by fellow American Christina Kim.
“I was trying to run away from her,” Wie said. “All I was thinking in my mind was I’m wearing white pants, please be nice.”
Additional reporting by Staff Writer
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