Congratulations to Michelle Wie who claims her first LPGA major title !
Mchelle Wie’s victory at Pinehurst No. 2 represents her second consecutive outstanding showing in a major championship; the Honolulu, Hawaii native fell just short in the LPGA’s first major event of the 2014 season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, finishing second after a captivating back-and-forth battle with Lexi Thompson. This time however, Wie would not be denied, as she rose to the top of the leader board with back-to-back rounds of 68 on Thursday and Friday. The Punahou High School graduate then survived a shaky Saturday performance on “moving-day,” as her third-round 72 left her in a tie for first with Amy Yang of Korea.
Playing with Yang in Sunday’s final group, Wie ultimately used a largely steady approach to claim her first major championship. While Yang imploded under the U.S. Open pressure with three bogeys and one double bogey in the first seven holes, Wie held firm with 13 pars and only one bogey in her first 15 holes. When Wie notched a dramatic eagle on the par-5 10th, it appeared that she might cruise to the title.
However, Lewis had other ideas, using eight birdies, including birdies on the 17 and 18, as well as a bad double bogey by Wie on 16, to charge to within one shot of the lead. With Lewis safely in the clubhouse at even par for the championship, Wie needed a quick recovery on 17 in order to prevent yet another major from slipping away. With her back against the wall, Wie seized the moment with an incredible 25-foot birdie putt on the 184 yard par 3. From there, Wie safely avoided danger on the par-4 18th to preserve the win.
Michelle Wie's home course is Ko Olina golf course in Oahu Hawaii -
Carl Murphy
Author