Wie undeterred despite weather
Michelle Wie had never experienced anything like the foul weather that hit Royal Birkdale in yesterday’s first round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open.
But the 15-year-old American superstar still managed to plot her way to a respectable 75 in the final major of the women’s season – and did it with a smile on her face.
“It’s definitely the hardest conditions I have ever played in,” said the Honolulu schoolgirl who is used to summer days on Hawaiian beaches.
“But I felt I positioned my shots quite well but just didn’t make any putts. The only time I have played in colder conditions was in the Safeway International in Phoenix earlier this year when I was first out and it was about 50 degrees.
“But today it was absolutely freezing and it was hard to get into any sort of rhythm. I just hope it warns up a little for the rest of the Championship.”
Wie finished the first round seven shots behind the leader, South Korea’s Jeong Jang and looking to continue a great run in seven tournaments on the LPGA Tour this year.
She has finished tied 14th (Kraft Nabisco), second (LPGA Championship) and 23rd (US Women’s Open) in the first three majors of the year.
She has also had another couple of second places, including one behind fellow teenager Paula Creamer in the Evian Masters in France last weekend.
“I have had a good summer and come close to making it really successful with a first win,” she continued.
“And I definitely feel I can still win here this week. I am not too far behind and there are still three rounds to play.
“The experience of playing out here on the LPGA Tour is doing me a lot of good and my game is getting better and better all the time.”
This summer, she has also played in two men’s events – just missing the cut in the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour and then reaching the quarter-finals of the US Public Links Championship.
Next week, Wie is skipping the US Women’s Amateur Championship – she cannot get a flight to America in time for the Monday start – and heading home to Hawaii for the first time since May.
“It will be good to catch up with my friends and spend some time on the beach,” she admitted.
