Wie retains US Open hope
Michelle Wie still had hopes of becoming the first woman to compete in the US Open with nine holes remaining in her qualifying tournament in New Jersey today.
After opening with a two-under-par 68 and lying joint 13th in the field of 153 the 16-year-old phenomenon went to the turn in a level-par 36 in her second round.
Eighteen places are on offer at the event and Wie’s attempt to make history drew so many many golf fans to Canoe Brook Country Club that the club had to limit attendance.
She did not disappoint before lunch, sinking a 60-foot chip shot on the 18th hole to complete her first bogey-free round against the men.
By that point, a gallery that had numbered several hundred fans when she teed off had swelled into the thousands.
With no public parking at the club, spectators were diverted to the carpark at a nearby shopping mall.
When the crowd reached an estimated 3,500 people, officials from the Metropolitan Golf Association allowed new spectators in only when others exited.
“We just felt that was the best thing to do for the safety of the players,” said spokeswoman Jeanne McCooey.
Wie did have her first bogey when she resumed, driving into a bunker, but a 10-foot putt at the 17th, her eighth, brought her back to two under par.
