Wie makes the grade

LEBANON, Ohio – Michelle Wie bounced back with a 2-over-par 72 in the final round of stroke play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links on Tuesday, good enough to secure a spot in the match play portion of the championship.

“Match play is a lot more intense,” she said after completing the 36 holes of medal play in 8-over 148.

Wie, a high school junior-to-be from Honolulu, is playing in the men’s APL because the winner is traditionally invited to play at The Masters.

The first female to qualify for a men’s U.S. Golf Association championship, the 15-year-old Wie shot a 76 in Monday’s first round.

The top 64 in stroke play moved on to match play, which culminates with a 36-hole final on Saturday.

Wie’s score was above the cut line when she finished, but scores went up in the afternoon and she ended up tied for 49th.

She will play Will Claxton, a quarterfinalist a year ago, in her first-round match this morning. The 23-year-old Claxton, a recent graduate of Auburn, is from Swainsboro, Ga.

“I’ve obviously seen her play on TV,” Claxton said. “I’m just going to try to treat her like any other player and things will take care of themselves. I won’t be ashamed to lose to her, and I’m not afraid to play her.”

For the second day in a row, a huge gallery cheered every one of Wie’s shots. About 300 people, including Wie’s parents, stuck with her for most of her round. Numerous USGA officials and two deputy sheriffs attempted to clear the way for Wie and her fellow players.

Not everyone was a Wie fan.

“I don’t think she should be here,” said Danny Green, who tied for second in medal play after matching the tournament low with a 65 for a 2-under 138. “I think she should play in the women’s tournaments because they don’t let the men play in women’s tournaments. I just don’t agree with that, but it’s not my call. She qualified and she is going by the rules. She’s here and she is a great player. I’ve got nothing against that.”

Wie responded, “I don’t really care what they think because I actually qualified for this event. So I feel I belong here. I’m not looking for 100-percent support. I know there are going to be people against me. I’m not going to stop just for them.”

The low medalist was Anthony Kim, who shot rounds of 71 and 65 for 4-under 136.