Wie’s Open bid falls short on final nine

SUMMIT, N.J. – Michelle Wie failed in her bid to become the first woman to play in the U.S. Open, teasing a frenzied gallery for 27 holes until three straight bogeys Monday sent her to a 3-over 75 and into the middle of the pack.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed I didn’t make it,” she said. “I’m satisfied with the way I tried. I played my hardest out there.”

Her next stop is a major – against the women.

Wie opened with a 68 on the easier South course and still had a chance to get one of 18 spots available to the 153-player field at Canoe Brook when headed to the back nine. Needing at least one birdie to have a chance, her inability to master the greens finally caught up with her. And the cheers from 3,500 fans that carried her throughout the day turned to sympathetic applause at the end.

She finished at 1-over 143, a score that might have been good enough to make the cut if this were a tournament.

But she was trying to make history, not a cut. And ultimately, she didn’t come close.

“I’m very proud of her,” said her father, B.J. Wie. “A little disappointed, but very proud. I think Michelle demonstrated that it’s possible for a woman to play in a men’s major.”

For now, the 16-year-old from Hawaii will have to stick to the other majors. She now goes to Bulle Rock north of Baltimore to play in the LPGA Championship, where she was runner-up last year and will be among the favorites.

Those lucky enough to watch saw quite a show.

Interest was so high that Canoe Brook officials had to close the gate shortly before lunch because they didn’t feel they could accommodate such a large crowd – an estimated 5,000 on the grounds, including nearly 300 from the media, most of them following a 6-foot teenager with big dreams.

And they had reason to believe they were watching something special.

Wie finished her morning round by chipping in for birdie from 60 feet for a 2-under 68, matching her best score competing against men and the first time she did so without a bogey. Even after her first nine holes on the tougher, longer North course, she remained 2 under and had a legitimate shot at joining Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson & Co. at storied Winged Foot.