KAPOLEI, United States: American Michelle Wie won her first LPGA title since 2010 yesterday, firing five-under par 67 for a two-shot victory in the Lotte Championship.
Wie had six birdies, and not even a three-putt bogey at the final hole at her home course, Ko Olina, could dim her joy at her third career LPGA crown.
“It feels good,” said the 24-year-old, who erased a four-shot deficit to win with a 14-under par total of 274, said while talking to reporters.
“I’m just so happy right now I can’t think straight,” she said.
Wie’s other two LPGA titles also came in North America, at the 2009 Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico and at Canadian Women’s Open in August of 2010 -- but she had never before won on US soil.
She’s projected to jump from 23rd to 13th in the women’s world rankings.
Angela Stanford took a four-stroke lead over Wie and Kim Hyo-Joo into the final round, but carded a one-over 73 for a 12-under total of 276 that left her alone in second place.
World number one Park In-Bee of South Korea, still in search of her first LPGA title of 2014, carded a 67 for 277. She was one stroke in front of compatriot Kim, whose 71 for 278 gave her sole possession of fourth place.
South Koreans Ryu So-Yeon and Chella Choi shared fifth place on 279, Ryu carding a final-round 69 and Choi a 67.
Wie’s victory follows three top-10 finishes this year, including her runner-up finish at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of 2014.
“She’s been playing great,” Stanford said. AFP
