Sorenstam rallies for World victory

By George Alfano
Special to The Advertiser

PALM DESERT, Calif. —While Annika Sorenstam rallied for a victory at the LPGA Samsung World Golf Tournament yesterday at Bighorn Golf Club, Michelle Wie entered the record book.

Fifteen-year-old Michelle Wie signs autographs after finishing her third round at the Samsung World Championship. Laura Rauch • Associated Press

"Today, it was up to me to do something," said Sorenstam, who shot a 5-under 67 to finish at 18-under 270. "It was a wonderful day, to summarize it.

"This is special, to come from behind. You've got the 20 best players in the world and you've got to really play some good golf."

Wie shot a 2-under 70. Her 72-hole, 6-under-par 283 was the best score by an amateur in the tournament's 24-year history, three strokes better than Park's 1998 total.

School work will replace putting concerns for Punahou School's best-known sophomore. This was Wie's sixth and final LPGA tournament of the year. She can play in up to six events on sponsor exemptions.

"I had fun and gave it my best," Wie said. "Now it's back to the books and try to catch up with my school work. I finished two weeks' worth of homework in three days — it feels like it's a race where everybody is five miles ahead and you are running with a beer belly."

And there is the matter of waiting for an invitation to the Sony Open in Hawai'i at Waialae Country Club from Jan. 10 to 16 and next year's LPGA schedule.

"I haven't heard anything, but it would be great," said Wie, when asked about the possibility of playing in the PGA tournament. She missed the cut by a stroke in this year's tournament. She may play in the Pro-Am portion of the Mercedes Championship at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, the week before the Sony Open.

Wie drove well the past two days, hitting her tee shots more than 300 yards on the par-five, 538-yard 15th hole. She hit some nice shots out of the bunker, but was unhappy with her putting.

"I couldn't get putts to drop in the tournament," Wie said. "This tournament is different because you are playing against the best players in the world. If you don't make a lot of birdie putts, you don't gain any ground."

Wie made four birdies, chipping close with easy putts. She three-putted on one hole, but narrowly missed a long putt on the 13th hole.

One area Wie handled very well was dealing with other LPGA professionals and the media. Veteran English golfer Laura Davies complimented Wie for always having a smile on her face, and she answered questions with remarkable poise for someone who turned 15 years old earlier in the week.

Sorenstam chipped in for an eagle on No. 15 to draw even with Park, then tucked her approach shot within 6 feet of the pin on No. 17 and made that birdie putt to take sole possession of the lead for the first time in the tournament.

It was her 17th come-from-behind victory in 54 career LPGA wins. She has 66 titles overall, and has won six of 15 LPGA events this year and two foreign tournaments.

The leader the first three days, Park had a final-round 73 that included bogeys on the final two holes.

Park, smiling most of the tournament because she was playing well and leading, turned grim-faced as her three-shot lead disappeared.

"I haven't felt this badly in a long time," she said afterward. "I'm playing good golf but just not getting it done."

Associated Press contributed to this report.