Posted at 2:01 p.m., Sunday, June 11, 2006
Wie finishes tied for fifth; Pak wins playoff
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Se Ri Pak captured her third LPGA Championship when she nearly holed out her approach shot on the first playoff hole. She beat Karrie Webb, who won the year's first major in a playoff.
Pak (69) and Webb (68) both finished regulation in 8-under 280 at Bulle Rock Golf Course. Wie, 16, finished tied for fifth at 72-282. The Punahou senior-to-be had an opportunity to get into a playoff on the final green of all three of her LPGA starts this year and has fallen short. A year ago, she was second to Annika Sorenstam in this event.
"I think it's hitting the shots when I need to and making the putts early on," said Wie, who missed seven more putts from within 12 feet in the final round. "I need to stay ahead of the pack early on, play good rounds early on. I think I was counting too much on the last moment. I know what I have to work on for the next two weeks so I'm really excited for the U.S. Open.
Wie moved to 8-under today when she birdied the par-15th. On the next fairway she hit her approach right of the green and lipped out a four-foot putt for par. She also missed from 10 feet, for birdie, on the next hole.
Her drive on the par-4 finishing hole rolled into the rough and she hit her approach to the front of the long green. She charged the birdie putt that would have put her in a playoff and it rolled 10 feet past the hole.
Wie's next tournament will be the U.S. Women's Open, June 29 to July 2 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.