4 feet from golf history

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Michelle Wie signed autographs after finishing the second round of the Sony Open yesterday. She shot a 2-under par 68 yesterday, built around four birdies and two bogeys, to go with her opening-day 72. Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Wie waves as she walks off the 18th hole, where she made birdie. She birdied two of the last three holes.

After making birdie on the 18th hole, she asked PGA official Johnny Andrews where the 36-hole cut was and, "He said '139' and I was like — I added 70 plus 70 together and it equaled 140 — 'no, no, this is not happening,' " Wie said. "I thought I made it after I made that putt."

After 36 holes and two days, large galleries and seemingly endless television coverage, Honolulu's 14-year-old phenom came within 4 feet — the difference between an eagle and a birdie — from becoming the first woman in 58 years to make the cut at a PGA Tournament.

She had a 2-under par 68 yesterday, built around four birdies and two bogeys, to go with an opening-day 72, not enough to join the 79 who made the cut but still better than 48 others in the 144-player field.

Wie's 140 total tied Stuart Appleby, who won last week's Mercedes Championships, as well as Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell, who finished Nos. 4, 6, 7, respectively among last year's PGA Tour money winners.

Her 68 gave her the distinction of being the only female to play an under-par round in PGA competition.

She birdied two of the last three holes and saved par eight times to bring unaccustomed drama to the cut.

"I think I played really great (yesterday)," Wie said. "Just one more shot and I would have made it. It's killing me now."

Upon learning the news outside the scorer's trailer, Wie held her hands to her head and delivered a mock right-handed punch to her jaw.

"I think I played very well the last few holes. I don't think I could have hit it (the bid for eagle) any better," Wie said.

Most of the several thousand spectators who lined the 551-yard final hole at Waialae Country Club knew her predicament and cheered her remarkable effort to its conclusion.

So much so that, "I thought I made (the cut) because everyone was like 'congratulations' and stuff like that," Wie said. "And, then I went to (the scorer's trailer), I asked the person what the cut was and they are like, '139.' "

•	Michelle wie at the end of round two: "I thought I made (the cut) because everyone was like 'congratulations' and stuff like that. And, then I went to (the scorer's trailer), I asked the person what the cut was and they are like, '139.'"

"I saw a lot of my friends today," Wie said. "I think they got bored pretty fast."

Along the way she was greeted by several signs, including one that said, "Wie Are So Excited."

ESPN, which televised the event, extended its telecast to cover Wie almost every hole, finally cutting away for an NBA game with her ball on the 17th green.

ESPN cut in to the Lakers-Kings game to show her par putt on the 17th and her chip for eagle on the 18th.

Even interviews with golfers talked about Wie's exploits.

Jerry Kelly, who won this tournament in 2002, told ESPN, "She's opening the door."

Andy North, ESPN commentator, called it a "wonderful performance."

Wie was surprisingly relaxed as she played her round, even answering questions from the gallery as she waited for play to resume after a delay on the fourth hole.

When she made a 58-foot putt on the seventh hole the crowd chanted in unison, "yes ... yes ... yes!" as the ball completed its journey to the cup.

After making a name for herself on the PGA Tour, now comes a return to school Tuesday. "I'd rather be playing golf," she said.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.