Tue, Jun 24, 2014 page17

• Wie delivers in Women’s Open title

  PROMISE FULFILLED: The former US wunderkind who stormed on the men’s PGA scene more than a decade ago finally won the top honor in women’s golf

  • Reuters
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  Michelle Wie finally lived up to the burden of expectation when she won her first major title with a clutch two-stroke victory at the US Women’s Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Sunday.

  More than a decade after becoming famous when she almost made the cut against the men in a PGA Tour event, the 24-year-old from Hawaii was emotionally moved after winning the biggest prize in women’s golf.

  “I am just unbelievably happy,” she told reporters after shooting even-par 70 to hold off fellow American Stacy Lewis (66) at Pinehurst No. 2. “I am so honored to have my name on the trophy, just so grateful for everything.”

  

  Michelle Wie plays her second shot at the par-four 13th hole, watched by her caddie, Duncan French, in the final round of the 69th US Women’s Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, on Sunday.

  Photo: AFP

  Taiwan’s Candie Kung shot a 68 to finish tied for 30th place on 10-over 290, while compatriot and former world No. 1 Yani Tseng was a shot further back after a 69.

  Wie seemed poised to win in style until she double-bogeyed the 16th hole after almost losing her ball in a thick clump of wire grass after a poor second shot.

  It took almost two minutes to locate the ball and she subsequently chose to take a penalty stroke, eventually sinking a five-foot putt to avoid dropping three shots.

  

  Michelle Wie holds the trophy with her caddie, Duncan French, after her victory on Sunday at the 69th US Women’s Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

  Photo: AFP

  “I definitely gave myself a heart attack when I could not find that ball,” she said.

  “I was stressing out for sure. I also left myself a hefty double bogey putt. All you can do at that point is laugh. I joked with my caddie [that] we really like to make things difficult for ourselves,” she added.

  Wie has a reputation for not being a strong closer and regardless of whether that is warranted, the pressure was immense when she stepped to the par-three 17th tee with a tenuous one-shot lead.

  However, she responded magnificently, sinking an 18-foot birdie that she described as ‘the best putt of my life.’

  After parring the last to secure victory at two-under 278, she lifted a hand to her mouth as if she could not believe what she had done, before breaking out in a huge smile.

  Wie, who previously had twice led into the final round in the Women’s Open, collected US$720,000, small change for a woman who has made millions in endorsements.

  It has been a long journey for someone who was barely a teenager when she saddled herself with huge expectations by saying she thought she belonged on the PGA Tour as well as the LPGA circuit and wanted to play the Masters.

  She earned fame in 2004 when she came within one stroke of making the cut in the Sony Open in Hawaii on the PGA Tour, but flopped in subsequent appearances in men’s tournaments and has since stuck with women’s events.

  Injuries and a stint at university temporarily halted her march to LPGA dominance, but she remained determined to fulfill her immense talent.

  “Obviously there are moments of doubt in there, but I had so many people surrounding me... That is what pushed me forward,” she said after avoiding a single three-putt on some of the toughest greens in the game.

  Additional reporting by staff writer
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