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Posted on: Sunday, November 2, 2003

Wie cards a 70, but finishes last in Korea

Associated Press

Hawai'i's Michelle Wie shot a final-round 2-under 70 in CJ Nine Bridges Classic.

Associated Press

JEJU ISLAND, South Korea — Hawai'i teenager Michelle Wie shot her best round of the tournament, a 2-under-par 70 today, but still finished last in the field of 69 in the CJ Nine Bridges Classic.

Wie, 14, finished at 17-over 233 at The Club at Nine Bridges Course on the resort island of Jeju.

Ahn Shi-Hyun, the 17-year-old 2003 South Korean rookie of the year, shot a 68 for a 12-under 204 total to capture her first LPGA title.

Gloria Park, tied for 26th entering the final round, shot a 10-under 62, breaking the course record of 65 set by Se Ri Pak last year and tied by Ahn in the first round.

Park was tied with defending champion Pak (68), Laura Davies (68) and Grace Park (68) at 207.

"I am so happy," Ahn said. "I wasn't obsessed with winning the tournament, and I think that helped me win."

Ahn, who won $187,500 in prize money, capped her victory in style, eagling the par-5 18th hole.

With her victory, Ahn can now play in a majority of the LPGA tournaments for the next two years without going to qualifying school.

Wie, playing in her sixth LPGA tournament this year, started with a bogey on the first hole, but birdied Nos. 2, 3, and 5 to make the turn at 34. She offset a bogey at the 14th with a birdie on the 18th for a 36.

LPGA.com contributed to this report.