GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Michelle Wie, LPGA Tour champion.
Imagine that.
Wie ended her long wait by tapping in a birdie putt Sunday at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, and her first tour title may finally quiet the skeptics who second-guessed her career decisions and questioned the fuss over a player without a pro victory.
"Never thought this would feel THIS great!!!!" Wie posted on her Twitter account.
The 20-year-old closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Paula Creamer. Wie finished it off in style, hitting a greenside bunker shot within a foot on the final hole.
When it was over, it was time for a celebration that was a decade in the making. Wie pulled the ball from the 18th hole, looked up to the sky, let out a big sigh of relief, bounced up and down and pumped her right fist.
After all the near misses, after all the expectations, she was a winner.
"It's definitely off my back," Wie said. "I think that hopefully life will be a lot better, but I still have a lot of work to do."
Solheim Cup teammates Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome showered Wie on the 18th green.
"Just seeing them come out and pour beer all over me, it was a great feeling," Wie said. "I've always seen it on TV and I've always wanted people to pour beer on me. It was as great as I thought it was."
Her parents, dad B.J. and mom Bo, were there, too, for an embrace.
"I think it's just so awesome, seeing them on the 18th green and hugging them," Wie said. "You know, we have been through a lot as a family, and it's just so great that they are here to share my highs and to keep me up from the lows, as well."
Wie earned $220,000 to push her season winnings just over $900,000. The win came in her 65th LPGA Tour event — she had finished second six times.
Wie won the 2003 USGA Women's Amateur Public Links, the Stanford student's only significant victory until Sunday.
"Right now it feels fantastic," Wie said. "It's a great year. I went through some ups and downs ... And obviously this tournament is the icing on the cake."
Pressel (67), Jiyai Shin (71) and Cristie Kerr (72) were three back. Wie finished at 13-under 275 after starting the day at the Guadalajara Country Club tied for the lead with Kerr at 10 under.
"Congrats to michelle!!" Pressel tweeted.
Wie first qualified for a USGA event at age 10 and played an LPGA event when she was 12. She joined the LPGA this season and has begun to show the sizzling game that has made her arguably the biggest attraction in women's golf.
Dressed head to toe in red, Wie had a few shaky moments but she was steadier down the stretch as her rivals faltered. In the past, it's often been the Hawaiian who has stumbled.
The 6-foot Wie stood tall despite a nagging sprained left ankle that forced her to wear a large, black brace that extends 6 inches above her shoe top.
Imagine that.
Wie ended her long wait by tapping in a birdie putt Sunday at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, and her first tour title may finally quiet the skeptics who second-guessed her career decisions and questioned the fuss over a player without a pro victory.
"Never thought this would feel THIS great!!!!" Wie posted on her Twitter account.
The 20-year-old closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Paula Creamer. Wie finished it off in style, hitting a greenside bunker shot within a foot on the final hole.
When it was over, it was time for a celebration that was a decade in the making. Wie pulled the ball from the 18th hole, looked up to the sky, let out a big sigh of relief, bounced up and down and pumped her right fist.
After all the near misses, after all the expectations, she was a winner.
"It's definitely off my back," Wie said. "I think that hopefully life will be a lot better, but I still have a lot of work to do."
Solheim Cup teammates Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome showered Wie on the 18th green.
"Just seeing them come out and pour beer all over me, it was a great feeling," Wie said. "I've always seen it on TV and I've always wanted people to pour beer on me. It was as great as I thought it was."
Her parents, dad B.J. and mom Bo, were there, too, for an embrace.
"I think it's just so awesome, seeing them on the 18th green and hugging them," Wie said. "You know, we have been through a lot as a family, and it's just so great that they are here to share my highs and to keep me up from the lows, as well."
Wie earned $220,000 to push her season winnings just over $900,000. The win came in her 65th LPGA Tour event — she had finished second six times.
Wie won the 2003 USGA Women's Amateur Public Links, the Stanford student's only significant victory until Sunday.
"Right now it feels fantastic," Wie said. "It's a great year. I went through some ups and downs ... And obviously this tournament is the icing on the cake."
Pressel (67), Jiyai Shin (71) and Cristie Kerr (72) were three back. Wie finished at 13-under 275 after starting the day at the Guadalajara Country Club tied for the lead with Kerr at 10 under.
"Congrats to michelle!!" Pressel tweeted.
Wie first qualified for a USGA event at age 10 and played an LPGA event when she was 12. She joined the LPGA this season and has begun to show the sizzling game that has made her arguably the biggest attraction in women's golf.
Dressed head to toe in red, Wie had a few shaky moments but she was steadier down the stretch as her rivals faltered. In the past, it's often been the Hawaiian who has stumbled.
The 6-foot Wie stood tall despite a nagging sprained left ankle that forced her to wear a large, black brace that extends 6 inches above her shoe top.
