honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:36 a.m., Sunday, June 13, 2004

Wie wins singles to help U.S. retain Curtis Cup

Advertiser Staff

Honolulu's Michelle Wie won her singles match today to help the United States team defeat Great Britain and Ireland 10-8 and retain amateur golf's Curtis Cup.

Wie, at 14 the youngest golfer ever to play in this bienniel event, defeated Nicola Timmins 6 and 5 with birdies on five of her last nine holes at England's Formby Golf Club in Merseyside, England.

The United States, which didn't have a player older than 22 years, clinched the two-day matches when Annie Thurman beat Danielle Masters 1-up in the final match.

The United States team had to rally from a 4-0 deficit in the first day. After losing all three of its team, or altnerate shot of golfers, competition to open the day and then its first singles match, the United States won five of the next singles events for a 5-4 lead after the first day.

Wie won two points in singles match in the event (a point is awarded for victory and half point for a tie).

Yesterday, Wie beat Anna Highgate 5 and 4 in singles.

She lost both team matches.

The victory was the fourth in a row for the U.S. and 24th overall in the 33-match history of the cup.

The U.S. also gained its lone victory in the four major team golf competitions between the Americans and Europeans. Europe holds the professional Ryder Cup and amateur Walker Cup for men, and the professional Solheim Cup for women.