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When Michelle Wie clinched her place in next season’s U.S. LPGA Tour at the 18th hole of the final round of the LPGA Qualifying School, one of her fans held up a poster saying "Yes Wie Can" -- emulating U.S. president-elect Barack Obama's election campaign motto, "Yes We Can."
Numerous media, including the New York Times, ESPN and the Associated Press, covered Wie's achievement with interest, predicting the 2009 season will showcase the fiercest competition in LPGA history. The final round of Q School, held on the Champions Course at Daytona Beach, Florida, saw 22 rookies grab tickets to the LPGA Tour.
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Michelle Wie follows her drive off the 16th tee during the final round of the LPGA qualifying tournament at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday. /AP
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American Stacy Lewis came in first, with an 18-under par 342 in five rounds, and Amy Yang of Korea was second with a 15-under 345. Michelle Wie was shaky in her final round, which included three consecutive bogeys, for a 2-over finish. However, her combined score of 12-under 348 saw her finish seventh. Wie said she feels as if she is starting anew. Lee Jee-hae and Chella Choi of Korea and Korean-American Jeanne Cho-Hunicke also graduated. In total, five Korean or Korean-Americans passed Q School this year.
In addition to Wie and Yang, a number of promising rookies are waiting to join next season's LPGA, such as Oyama Shiho, the leading money earner in Japan, and Anna Rawson, a golfer and model from Australia. Shin, who won three LPGA tours this season as a non-exempt member, will make her official debut next season as well.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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