Sorenstam wins, Wie disqualified at Samsung C’ship

PALM DESERT (United States)—Annika Sorenstam’s march to another LPGA milestone was overshadowed by the disqualification of teen sensation Michelle Wie in her first professional start. Initially lost in the hype surrounding Wie’s professional debut, Sorenstam was the undisputed star on Sunday as she posted an eight-shot victory at the 850,000-dollar Samsung World Championship, while Wie was disqualified. Wie finished with 11 consecutive pars en route to a two-over-par 74 that left her in fourth place at eight-under 280, a performance that earned kudos from Sorenstam. But some 10 minutes after she signed her scorecard, she was brought back to the seventh hole by rules officials to discuss a drop she took during Saturday’s third round.
It was determined she violated rule 20-7 — playing the ball from the wrong place — and should have been assessed a two-shot penalty. Wie felt the ball was no more than three inches closer to the hole, while rules officials estimated it was a foot to 18 inches closer. “If I had to make the ruling based on the videotape, to me it was inconclusive,” tournament official and manager of rules Robert O. Smith said. “The Rules of Golf are based on facts. They had to tell us where it was. The fact was, the ball was closer to the hole by 12 to 18 inches”. Wie was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard because she did not give herself a two-shot penalty to add to her third-round 71.
She had to forfeit 53,126 dollars just hours after earning her first professional paycheck. “I’m really sad that this had to happen, but a rule is a rule, whether it’s three inches or 100 yards, and I respect that,” Wie said. “Obviously I’m really disappointed this happened in my first event. I learned a great lesson. From now on, I’ll call a rules official no matter where it is”. While Wie left her first pro event with a sour taste in her mouth, Sorenstam will savor yet another sweet victory. It was the fifth title at the event for Sorenstam, who defended her championship by finishing at 18-under 270. With the victory, her eighth of the season, Sorenstam joined LPGA legend Mickey Wright as the only women to win the same event five times.
Wright captured the Sea Island Open title five times in a seven-year span starting in 1957. After surrendering the lead with an uncharacteristic one-under-par 71 on Friday, the Swedish star rebounded with a 66 to storm back atop the leaderboard at 15-under 201. Sorenstam never was threatened Sunday as she carded three birdies and an eagle and didn’t have a bogey until a double-bogey on her closing hole for a 69. “Obviously, I’m very proud to finish up the way I did today,” Sorenstam said. “It’s very satisfying. It has been a big week for many reasons. To come out and play so solid for four days means a lot to me”. She has now won nine consecutive times when she has entered the final round with the lead. Sorenstam seemed to have no trouble coping with the intermittent rain that stopped play three times. “The first rain delay, I hadn’t hit a tee shot yet, so I could just go back to the clubhouse,” she said. “And the second break I played nine holes, so it was like go in and have some lunch”.—Agencies