Michelle Wie claimed a berth on next year's LPGA Tour despite a disappointing two-over-par 74 final round for the teen prodigy at a qualifying tournament on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Korean-American, who only needed a top-20 finish to grab a coveted berth on the elite women's golf series, finished in a share of seventh place on 12-under 348 in the five-day, 90-hole showdown.
American Stacy Lewis won the title on 18-under 342 after a final-round 69 with South Korean Amy Yang second on 345 and American Anna Grzebien third on 346.
With Swedish star Annika Sorenstam retiring, Wie could become the top drawing card for an LPGA circuit in need of stars despite the skills of world No 1 Lorena Ochoa of Mexico and a host of top international players.
Wie joins a tour that will play three fewer events in 2009 than 2008 with $5 million less in prize money as the ongoing economic crisis cuts into sponsor support in all sports.
Wie has struggled to match her considerable promise since becoming the youngest player to make a cut in an LPGA event, a feat she accomplished at age 13 in the 2003 Nabisco Championship.
Battling a wrist injury, she has endured a disappointing 2008 campaign, missing three cuts and disqualified from another event in nine LPGA starts.
Wie, who was once widely expected to miss the trial of Q-school and capture her card by earning enough prize money playing on sponsors' exemptions, said she was proud of her achievement.
"I wanted to earn this," she said. "It's really a gratifying moment right now. To go through the first stage, to go through the second stage, and finishing - it's nice."
Wie has endured criticism for her oft-stated goal of playing against the world's top male professionals, with some saying that slighted the LPGA tour.
While the dream of testing herself against the men hasn't died, Wie said she was looking forward to teeing it up against the world's best women players.
"I respect them 110 percent, just for the dedication that they go through. I have been playing with them for the last seven, seven or eight years now, and I have been able to play with a lot of great players.
"You know, even the up-and-coming players, I have a lot of respect for because you know everyone out there is grinding it out. We are grinding it out for the same prize."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article