StarBulletin.com

Injury woes hold Wie back again


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POSTED: Monday, April 05, 2010

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. » A right shoulder injury Michelle Wie suffered last week at the Kia Classic caused the 20-year-old golfer some obvious problems in yesterday's final round of the $2 million Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Wie felt the effects some on Saturday, but not enough to affect her swing. That was not the case yesterday, as the Punahou School graduate fought through it as best she could. A birdie at the closing hole somewhat helped ease the pain of the final-round 78 that dropped her from a tie for 10th into a tie for 27th by day's end.

“;I did the best I could,”; a subdued Wie told the Star-Bulletin after finishing at 3-over 291 for the week to earn $17,151. Despite the injury, Wie tried to sign autographs for a huge line of adoring fans, but had to quit after 10 or so, apologizing to the Kraft Nabisco contingent.

It was evident early on that Wie didn't have much to give as she carded back-to-back bogeys on the second and third holes. At first, she only tinkered with her right wrist and thumb, but as the round progressed she grabbed her right elbow and rubbed the back of her shoulder after nearly every swing.

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On the back nine, particularly the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, Wie could only follow through with one hand as most of her drives and approach shots went left. She had tree troubles several times on the back nine. She even hit a drive next to a long wall that guards the 10th fairway that eventually resulted in a triple-bogey seven.

Wie did not make excuses with her injury after the round was done, preferring to say she needed to rest it. But it was obvious something was wrong. Her right shoulder clearly sagged below her left.

When told about the injury, Karen Crouse of the New York Times spoke of an interview she did with Wie in San Diego last week. Crouse said Wie was icing her right shoulder, but Wie told her it wouldn't be a problem this week.

Several reporters noticed Saturday that Wie caddie Brendan Wooley was talking with an IMG representative about Wie's problems. He didn't talk very loud, but did demonstrate with his right hand where Wie was having problems.

Those grew exponentially yesterday, as Wie had as many bogeys on the front nine as she did the previous 54 holes. Upbeat on Saturday, Wie did reach the green in two on the closing hole and just missed an eagle putt, delighting the fans packed in the grandstand with a birdie.

“;I closed with a birdie, I was proud of that,”; Wie said. “;I just have to get some rest. I have a lot of work to do to get my game into shape.”;

Wie began the day with a perfect drive at No. 1 that led to a two-putt par. It was one of only two drives that found the fairway on the front nine. She hit four on the back side, including a huge drive at the par-4 15th. But her second shot from 100 yards didn't even hit the green to lead to a bogey 5.

The 20-year-old also has some inflammation in her left wrist, leading folks to wonder if she will ever be 100 percent again. In four events this year, Wie has a tie for 22nd, a tie for 15th, a tie for sixth and a tie for 27th. She has earned $96,202 and is 13th on the money list. With her check yesterday, Wie crossed the $1 million mark in career earnings.

She had plenty of fans following her all week, including Christina Kim, who yelled to Wie on the back nine yesterday, “;We're going to party tonight.”; Wie yelled back, “;I'm there.”; The gallery joined in with the fun, as several of Wie's closest friends followed her all 36 holes over the weekend.

Yani Tseng held off Suzann Pettersen to win the event by a single shot. During her postmatch interview a 6.9 earthquake struck, giving the media center a good shake for about 30 seconds. Tseng said, “;I like it, very cool. I hope nobody got hurt.”;