Wie fails at Open qualifier
SUMMIT, N.J. — Failing to become the first woman to qualify for the U.S. Open didn't upset Michelle Wie in the least.
When you're 16 years old, next year isn't too far away.
"I'm not going to quit after this year," Wie said Monday after chasing golf history. "I don't see a point in doing that. I'm really excited about next year. Hopefully, next year will be the year."
For 27 holes in the sectional qualifier at the Canoe Brook Country Club, Wie had the hopeful crowd of 3,500 believing that she had a chance to play against Tiger Woods and company in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in two weeks.
The tall and talented young woman from Hawaii played U.S. Open-style golf, hitting fairways and greens almost all day. She opened with a 2-under-par 68 on the shorter South Course at Canoe Brook, and she was still 2-under heading to the final holes of the tougher North Course before her putter betrayed her and led to a 3-over-par 75 that left her in a tie for 59th place in the field of 153 players.
The top 18 qualified for the U.S. Open. Wie finished at 1-over-par 143, five shots away from the number that would have gotten her into a playoff for the last spot.
"I'm very proud of her," said her father, B.J. Wie. "A little disappointed, but very proud. I think Michelle demonstrated that it's possible for a woman to play in a men's major."
Wie will play in a major later this week, one on the women's tour. She will head to Bulle Rock north of Baltimore to play in the LPGA Championship, where she was runner-up last year.
Her performance on Monday should make her one of the favorites.
"I have played with a couple of woman professionals and she is by far the best I have played with," said Rick Hartmann, the easygoing Long Island professional who played in the group with Wie and David Gossett.
