TheReff
Rod Griffin
- Joined
- May 15, 2011
- Messages
- 6,468
- Reaction score
- 580
At 24 she is turning into a great golfer and now the door could open to many more majors since she has gotten the first one, just like Phil. The public loves her and she can now both hit the golf ball & putt the golf ball.
http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/11120633/michelle-wie-wins-first-career-major-us-women-open
PINEHURST, N.C. -- The road Michelle Wie took to a U.S. Women's Open title was unlike any other, and suddenly insignificant. Whether this was a long time coming was the least of her cares.
The biggest star in women's golf had her name on the biggest trophy.
She never looked happier.
"Oh my God, I can't even think straight," Wie said Sunday after a two-shot victory over Stacy Lewis to claim her first major.
Facing a 25-foot birdie putt on 17 that was fast and dangerous, Wie pumped her fist when it fell, then pounded her fist twice to celebrate the moment.
"That kind of emotion, that kind of pressure ... I'll think of that putt as one of the best putts I've ever hit in my life," she said.
A par on the 18th gave her an even-par 70 to beat Lewis, the No. 1 player in women's golf who made Wie earn it. Lewis made eight birdies -- the most in a final round by a male or female in the U.S. Open -- and closed with a 66.
Lewis was on the range preparing for a playoff when her caddie told her Wie made birdie on the 17th. Moments later, Lewis was on the 18th green to hug Wie. Like most players, she was perplexed why Wie would spend so much time trying to compete against the men when she still didn't have an LPGA Tour card.
They are friends now and practice frequently. Lewis said she wasn't the least bit surprised that Wie delivered such a clutch moment.
"I think that scene on 18, being on network TV, as many people as we had around there at Pinehurst No. 2 and Michelle Wie winning the golf tournament, I don't think you can script it any better," Lewis said. "I think it's great for the game of golf. I think it's even better for women's golf. I'm so happy for Michelle Wie. I mean, this has been such a long time coming for her."
Wie had chance to win this title when she was a 15-year-old amateur at Cherry Hills, and a 16-year-old pro at Newport. The last time she was in this area, she opened with an 82 at Pine Needles in 2007 and walked off the course the next day because of injuries.
She has been one of the biggest stars in women's golf since she was 13 and played in the final group of a major. Her popularity soared along with criticism when she competed against the men on the PGA Tour while still in high school and talked about wanting to play in the Masters.
That seems like a lifetime ago.
The 6-foot Wie is all grown up. She is a Stanford graduate, popular among pros of both genders, and now a major champion.
"I can't believe this is happening," Wie said.
http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/11120633/michelle-wie-wins-first-career-major-us-women-open
PINEHURST, N.C. -- The road Michelle Wie took to a U.S. Women's Open title was unlike any other, and suddenly insignificant. Whether this was a long time coming was the least of her cares.
The biggest star in women's golf had her name on the biggest trophy.
She never looked happier.
"Oh my God, I can't even think straight," Wie said Sunday after a two-shot victory over Stacy Lewis to claim her first major.
Facing a 25-foot birdie putt on 17 that was fast and dangerous, Wie pumped her fist when it fell, then pounded her fist twice to celebrate the moment.
"That kind of emotion, that kind of pressure ... I'll think of that putt as one of the best putts I've ever hit in my life," she said.
A par on the 18th gave her an even-par 70 to beat Lewis, the No. 1 player in women's golf who made Wie earn it. Lewis made eight birdies -- the most in a final round by a male or female in the U.S. Open -- and closed with a 66.
Lewis was on the range preparing for a playoff when her caddie told her Wie made birdie on the 17th. Moments later, Lewis was on the 18th green to hug Wie. Like most players, she was perplexed why Wie would spend so much time trying to compete against the men when she still didn't have an LPGA Tour card.
They are friends now and practice frequently. Lewis said she wasn't the least bit surprised that Wie delivered such a clutch moment.
"I think that scene on 18, being on network TV, as many people as we had around there at Pinehurst No. 2 and Michelle Wie winning the golf tournament, I don't think you can script it any better," Lewis said. "I think it's great for the game of golf. I think it's even better for women's golf. I'm so happy for Michelle Wie. I mean, this has been such a long time coming for her."
Wie had chance to win this title when she was a 15-year-old amateur at Cherry Hills, and a 16-year-old pro at Newport. The last time she was in this area, she opened with an 82 at Pine Needles in 2007 and walked off the course the next day because of injuries.
She has been one of the biggest stars in women's golf since she was 13 and played in the final group of a major. Her popularity soared along with criticism when she competed against the men on the PGA Tour while still in high school and talked about wanting to play in the Masters.
That seems like a lifetime ago.
The 6-foot Wie is all grown up. She is a Stanford graduate, popular among pros of both genders, and now a major champion.
"I can't believe this is happening," Wie said.
