Weather Tonight: 4°c Partly Cloudy Night Morning: 8°c Cloudy

Sport

Winner Michelle Wie lifts the monkey off her back

16 Nov 2009


Michelle Wie broke through for her first professional tour victory on Sunday, winning the LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational by two strokes over fellow American Paula Creamer.

The 20-year-old Hawaiian, who first qualified for an LPGA event when she was 12, closed with a three-under par 69 for a 13-under 275 total to collect a $220,000 cheque.

"It feels, it sounds cliche, but it feels awesome," Wie told the LPGA website (www.lpga.com) after her round.

"For sure, it's definitely (a monkey) off my back. I think that hopefully life will be a lot better, but I still have a lot of work to do. I still have a lot to improve."

Starting the day joint leader with Cristie Kerr, Wie notched birdies on the first, third and 11th before stumbling at the 12th with a bogey.

She held firm with five straight pars, however, before sealing the victory in style on the last, a 30-yard bunker shot landing a foot from the hole for a tap-in birdie.

"I was just focusing on just not hitting anyone in the crowd," said Wie when asked about the winning shot.

"It's a shot that I feel comfortable with. I just went up and walked up to it, looked at it, and hit it. I didn't give myself any time to doubt myself." The win moved Wie to 14th on the LPGA money list with $918,659, behind leader Shin Ji-yai of South Korea on $1,775,104.

Wie, long touted to become a great of the game, became the youngest person, and the fourth female, to play in a PGA Tour event when she missed the cut at the 2004 Sony Open.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Terms and conditions Make text area bigger You have  characters left.

We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.

For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.


 

 

  • Chris Robshaw to captain England for rest of Six Nations Chris Robshaw Chris Robshaw will lead England for the rest of the Six Nations after winning his two games as captain
  • Thierry Henry set for final game for Arsenal against AC Milan Thierry Henry Thierry Henry will play his final game for Arsenal at the San Siro with manager Arsene Wenger wishing he could stay for longer
  • I've played at Wembley, thanks to the JLS boys Phillips Idowu Phillips Idowu exclusive: JLS are a cool bunch of guys, I've got all their albums and I've followed them closely since The...
  • Chelsea stars say 'get Guus ­Hiddink in now' Guus ­Hiddink Senior Chelsea players want Guus ­Hiddink to return to Stamford Bridge as manager and save the club's season
  • Robin Van Persie has score to settle on his return to big stage Arsenal players Arsenal striker was harshly sent off this time last year but a brilliant run of form since has put him in a perfect position to put his...
  • England's luck is in as Charlie Hodgson leads the charge Charlie Hodgson Fly-half never gave up on Test career and that spirit is serving the team well
  • Shed tears for taxpayers not Rangers fans Rangers Ibrox Patrick Barclay: Administration is no fun for any club but it is still a relatively easy way out for the owners and...
  • Sean Dyche delighted with Valentine's Day victory for hard-working Watford Craig Forsyth Watford boss Sean Dyche hailed the Hornets' team spirit as they made it 10 points from 12 to continue their upward movement in the...
  • Alan Curbishley is No1 choice for Wolves Alan Curbishley Alan Curbishley is due to be interviewed for the job of Wolves manager
  • Javier Hernandez ready to embrace Europa League Javier Hernandez It might be a Thursday night on Channel Five - but Manchester United's clash with Ajax does sound like a Champions League game
  •