Wie's game falls short of her gallery at ShopRite
By Michael McGarry
Special to The Advertiser
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The ShopRite LPGA Classic wants Michelle Wie back.
Associated Press
What tournament wouldn't?
Honolulu's Michelle Wie couldn't buy a putt all week, but still drew large galleries and received an invitation to return to the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey.
The 13-year-old phenom from Honolulu drew large crowds. She teed off 7:54 a.m. yesterday before 30 people. Her gallery grew until it was the size that normally follows the leaders.
On Saturday, so many attended that the Classic ran out of one-day tickets.
Wie shot a 1-over-par 72 yesterday on the Bay Course at Seaview Marriott Resort & Spa. She finished the 54-hole tournament tied for 52nd with a 2-over-par 215 total. Angela Stanford won with 16-under 196.
Tournament general chairman Larry Harrison took Wie and her family out to dinner last night. Harrison said Wie has already been offered a sponsor's exemption for next year's Classic. Golfers are allowed to accept six sponsor exemptions per season.
"We received a very positive response," Harrison said. "I don't know whether she will or won't play. There's no way to know her schedule.
"We're trying to do everything we can to make this a positive experience."
The Wies had fun in New Jersey.
"It was a very, very warm feeling," Wie's father and caddie BJ said. "I didn't expect this. New Jersey people are so nice. They had a lot of nice and encouraging words for Michelle."
If only the greens had been as hospitable.
Putting problems troubled Wie all weekend. Six putts lipped the cup yesterday, including a 6-foot birdie attempt on No. 18. BJ tossed his head back and smiled after that miss.
"I think I played terrible for me," Wie said. "I guess I should have made a lot more birdies. I should have hit more fairways. I should have hit my wedges better."
Wie did make one crowd-pleasing change yesterday. She hit driver off the tee after using a 4-wood most of the time during the first two rounds. The crowd applauded after her booming drives.
"I want to hear that sound when she hits the driver. That bang," BJ said. "That's our style."
After her round, Wie did commentary for The Golf Channel.
"I don't know what I will say," Wie said before going on the air. "I will probably wing it. I'm good at winging it."
Wie proved true to her word. She joked on television that announcing might be her second career.
Wie did plenty of interviews and photo shoots at the Classic.
"It was certainly a lot," she said. "But I enjoyed it."
Wie said she did not get to do anything at the Classic but play golf. Fun will come after this week's U.S. Open when Wie vacations in California.
"I'm resting for two weeks," she said. "No golf. I'm going to shop and hopefully go to the beach."
Wie and her family had a 6 a.m. flight today to Oregon, where the Open will be held at North Plain's Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
"I'll be sleeping on the plane," Wie said.
She should continue to get plenty of attention in the next few days. Her first press conference is scheduled for tomorrow.
Wie said her sub-par play at the Classic bodes well for the Open.
"When I play bad, I usually know what I'm doing bad, and I fix it," she said. "And I guess, I'm saving the birdies for (this) week."
