Wie finishes 12th; Pak wins LPGA Michelob Ultra Open
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Michelle Wie closed with a 1-over-par 72 and finished in a tie for 12th, nine strokes behind Se Ri Pak, who shot a 66 today to win the LPGA's Michelob Ultra Open at Williamsburg, Va.
Wie, playing in her third tournament of the season, had two early birdies (on Nos. 3 and 8), four consecutive bogeys starting at No. 9, an eagle on the par-5 15th hole and a bogey at No. 18, when she three-putted from the fringe.
"I felt like 18 holes wasn't enough. I mean, I felt like I had to use every shot and just try and shoot the best," Wie said. "On the first hole I was feeling really good because I had a birdie — 4-foot birdie putt. I missed that one. I am thinking if I made that putt I think I could have got on a roll."
Wie finished at 284, tied with former Hawai'i resident Grace Park, second-round leader Kim Williams and Angela Stanford.
"I didn't really end on a good note today," the 14-year-old said.
After the round, Wie, a ninth-grader at Punahou School, headed home to Hawai'i to take her final exams before leaving for Curtis Cup practice. She will be the youngest player in the 72-year history of the amateur competition for women in mid-June.
Pak played it perfectly, staying mostly off the radar for three rounds. She finished with a 9-under 275, passing five players in the final round to win the 22nd tournament of her career and earn the final point she needed to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
The 26-year-old South Korean, in only her seventh season on tour, just needs to play three more years on the tour to solidify her spot in the Hall of Fame. Hall members are required to play at least 10 years on tour.
With the $330,000 winner's check from the tour's third-richest event of the season, Pak has now earned nearly $7.5 million in her career.
It was the 10th time Pak has won a tournament after she trailed entering the final round.
Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, who shot 67, and third-round co-leader Lorena Ochoa, who shot 71, finished tied for second at 7 under.
Annika Sorenstam finished a tie for eighth at 282 after a 71.
The Associated Press and www.lpga.com contributed to this report.
