Posted at 12:34 p.m., Sunday, June 26, 2005
Wie falters as Birdie Kim captures U.S. Women's Open
Advertiser News Services
South Korea's Birdie Kim chipped in a birdie from the bunker on the final hole to win the U.S. Women's Open, as Hawaii's Michelle Wie faltered during today's final round at Cherry Hills Village, Colo.Kim, 23, shot a 1-over-par 72 and finished at 3-over 287, two strokes ahead of amateurs Morgan Pressel, 17, who shot a 75, and Brittany Lang, 19, who shot a 71. Pressel was tied with Kim until the 18th hole, where she finished with a bogey.
Wie, the 15-year-old amateur, made three double bogeys, seven bogeys and just two birdies for an 11-over 82. She finished the tournament at 12-over 296.
Pressel and Wie were trying to become the youngest player to win a major golf tournament.
Kim, who changed her name to Birdie last year to distinguish herself from the other Kims on the tour, began the day a stroke behind co-leaders Wie, Pressel and Karen Stupples. Stupples shot a 78 today and finished at 292.
Annika Sorenstam, who was attempting to win her third grand slam of the year, shot a 77 and finished at 296.
