Annika doubles to bring a lot of gals back into it. 3 tied at even (Annika, Hurst & Inkster) with Michelle 1 back and Se Ri 2 back...just about halfway through the final round. Everyone seems to be burning the edges in some very tough conditions.
Hurst takes control with a chip-in bird. She's been unconscious around the greens. She goes to -1 as Inkster and Annika both bogey to go to +1. Michelle will drop at least 1 at 9 after getting a bad break on her drive jumping out of the trap into the junk.
From a Wie point of view, a very solid last round. She made a number of clutch putts and putted well overall. Has got top 5's in the last 4 majors and that is a remarkable record.
At the end of the round, the tournaments 2 best players made the playoff, I think there is no doubt about that.
Michelle simply wasn't good enough to win the tournament. Mentally she played great, and perhaps got more out of her game than even Annika, who let it slip a couple of times, but Annika proved she is the best player in the game. Pat Hurst played great, she did get a lucky break from her tee shot, but made an excellent putt on her last hole.
My prediction is that Annika will win by at least 3 shots in the playoff.
I think Annika will eliminate the mistakes of the 4th round for the playoff, and win it comfortably.
From a Wie point of view, a very solid last round. She made a number of clutch putts and putted well overall. Has got top 5's in the last 4 majors and that is a remarkable record.
At the end of the round, the tournaments 2 best players made the playoff, I think there is no doubt about that.
Yep, that was one tough course and two of the most experienced ladies did what it took to tie for 1st. Wie played awesome and her record in the last 4 majors is remarkable. Johnny Miller said that a run of high finishes in majors like Wie's had is unprecidented and she's in "uncharted waters". Everyone was impressed by her putting and her speed control. Putting was definitely a strong part of her game this week and there was no sign of choking by any stretch of the imagination.
The difficult course and conditions (wind) made it likely that someone with 20 years experience would have an advantage. Look at the names around Wie, 4 of them are major winners. Hurst, Annika, Pak, Inkster. Solid group of experienced talent. Players like Creamer, Pressel, Gulbis, Ochoa, etc. just couldn't cut it this week. Nobody as young as Wie (male or female) has ever won a major, but Wie is close.
But Wie hung in there to the end and had a chance with a few holes to go. Chip ins by Hurst and some long putts by Annika made the difference down the stretch.
wie will win eventually, but she's still very young yet. but once she wins and is on the tour full time, look out, a train could roll. can she win more than annika? only time will tell.
The difficult course and conditions (wind) made it likely that someone with 20 years experience would have an advantage. Look at the names around Wie, 4 of them are major winners. Hurst, Annika, Pak, Inkster. Solid group of experienced talent. Players like Creamer, Pressel, Gulbis, Ochoa, etc. just couldn't cut it this week. Nobody as young as Wie (male or female) has ever won a major, but Wie is close.
Very good point. I hadn't noticed that it was only those kind of players that were up there.
Stacy Prammanasudh is the only exception, but there is usually an exception to every rule. She did very well too, talk about an exihition of putting. I doubt she could repeat that in future tournaments, whereas Wie's play should be repeatable for her.
Anyway, very good point on how nearly all the young and mid-experienced players just wilted over the 3rd and 4th rounds.
July 2nd, 2006, 04:09 PM
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