http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/golf/wies-long-wait-finally-over
Wie's long wait finally over
American Michelle Wie, holding aloft the HSBC Women's World Championship
trophy, has battled multiple injuries in recent years before she returned to
winning ways yesterday.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
PUBLISHEDMAR 5, 2018, 5:00 AM SGT
Former child prodigy wins first title since 2014 with monster 45-foot putt on
18th
Jonathan Wong Assistant Sports Editor
Cradling the HSBC Women's World Championship trophy with both hands, Michelle
Wie was offered a celebratory can of beer which she gladly accepted. Asked if
she needed help carrying the massive silverware, she politely declined.
Having waited 1,351 days for her fifth LPGA Tour win, Wie was never going to
let the prize out of her grasp. That the victory arrived in dramatic fashion
yesterday with a 45-foot birdie on the 18th hole - "the best putt of my
career so far" - would have made the occasion even sweeter for the American.
經過1351天(將近四年)的等待後，魏聖美在最後一洞以45呎的抓鳥順利拿下此站冠軍
她對這洞的形容就是"我生涯到目前為止最棒的推桿"
It was Wie's seventh and final birdie on an unblemished scorecard - she
started the day five shots behind overnight leader Nelly Korda - as she
closed with a seven-under 65 for a one-shot victory at the US$1.5 million
(S$2 million) event.
在最後一天開始前，魏聖美落後領先者Nelly Korda有五洞之多
The 28-year-old finished on 17-under 271, one ahead of compatriots Korda
(71), Danielle Kang (70), South Korean Jenny Shin (65) and Canadian Brooke
Henderson (67).
Wie had led after three rounds last year but finished tied-fourth.
去年在此項賽事，魏聖美曾在三輪後為領先者但最後只以並列第四結束
That loss to Korean Park In Bee was burned into her memory and she wanted
"revenge". "I kind of came with a slight chip on my shoulder in the morning.
I came back, having the confidence knowing that I can do it, and I just
really wanted to finish the deal," said Wie.
魏聖美表示她今年來就是有想要復仇，證明自己可以做到
Wie's last LPGA Tour title had been the 2014 US Women's Open and the former
child prodigy, who turned pro a week before her 16th birthday, has battled
hip, knee and ankle injuries in recent years which have contributed to her
inconsistent form. Since her last win, she has 25 missed cuts from 81 starts
and managed just six top-five finishes.
Throughout the week at the Sentosa Golf Club, she has sported kinesiology
tape on her right knee and both wrists. She had surgery to remove her
appendix last August and had collagen injections in both wrists in the
off-season to cope with arthritic pain. She said: "It's been a tough journey
since 2014. I've had some injuries, had a really bad year (in 2016 with 13
missed cuts), just lost a lot of confidence.
在2014年後，魏聖美經歷過了一些傷勢，也開了幾次刀過，也曾在2016年
經歷了13項賽事的提早淘汰的低潮，當時也讓她失去了信心
"But I'm just really proud of pulling myself out of it. I just want to keep
rising. I just want to keep playing the best I can, trying the hardest I can
and trying to become the best player that I can be."
Her game over the weekend, when the pressure at the New Tanjong course was at
its most intense, was sensational. She was 13-under over the final 36 holes,
the best score among the 62 players.
Her good friend Kang, who led after the second round, summed up the
difference: "At the end of the day, if you're going to win, you're going to
have your whole game, and it just wasn't quite all there (for me)."
Korda's non-compliant putter was her undoing; she needed 33 putts yesterday,
eight more than Wie. She had a chance to force a play-off with Wie but missed
her birdie putt from eight feet on the 18th and had to be consoled by her
older sister Jessica afterwards.
Korda said: "It definitely hurts, but that's golf."
It was an equally harsh lesson for Shin, who held a one-stroke lead with one
hole to play at the 2012 edition but lost in a play-off. This time, she was
17-under and in the lead when she reached the 18th tee.
She hit a poor approach, a poor chip, missed her par putt and missed out
again. She said: "The nerves that I got on 18th, I think any human being
would experience it."
While she tried to shield her anguish, Wie could not hide her joy and hugged
her mother Bo and caddie Matthew Galloway when her win was confirmed.
The HSBC trophy will join Wie's other trophies in her living room in Florida.
"I have a shelf above the fireplace and they are kind of there," she said.
"Some are on a table. I need to build a wall but I haven't. I'll find a place
for them."
Somewhere, no doubt, where she can keep a close eye on them.