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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 5:53 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2003

Wie, 13, shoots 73, fails to qualify for Sony Open

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

'AIEA ­ Michelle Wie did not make golf history today at Pearl Country Club, but her performance again indicated that her career is golf history in the making.

Wie, a 13-year-old eighth grader at Punahou School, shot a 1-over-par 73 and failed to qualify for this week's Sony Open in Hawai'i by seven strokes. Wie was 1-under after nine holes but bogeyed her next two holes and could manage only one birdie the rest of the way.

Regan Lee of Waipahu and Andy Miller ­ announcer Johnny Miller's son ­ each shot 65 to earn berths. Royden Heirakuji of Makawao and Richard Pride of Orlando, Fla., each carded a 66 and received the other two qualifying spots after a playoff with Pearl Country Club's Gregory Meyer and Mark Worthington of Seattle.

Lee, a former 'Aiea High School and University of Hawai'i standout who most recently played on The Gateway (mini) Tour in Arizona, failed to earn a PGA Tour card in qualifying school seven weeks ago. Miller earned his card but his Q-school finish (26th) was not high enough to get him an automatic berth in the Sony Open.

Wie finished in a tie for 47th, beating out 34 men and tying eight others. She was the only female in the 98-player field (nine players withdrew).

"It's just a challenge," Wie said. "I'm not really happy with my round. I've been hitting my drives straighter, so I could play from the fairways, but I just made stupid mistakes. It's just experience."