GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Michelle Wie won her first LPGA Tour title, fulfilling the promise of a decade with a 3-under-par 69 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory over Paula Creamer in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
Wie finished off the victory in style, hitting a greenside bunker shot to 6 inches on the 18th hole and tapping in for a birdie.
“It’s definitely off my back,” she said. “I think that, hopefully, life will be a lot better, but I still have a lot of work to do.”
The 20-year-old Wie raised both arms in the air — her putter in her right hand — and then put her hand over her mouth. After pulling the ball out of the hole, she turned to the gallery, looked to the sky and let out a big sigh of relief.
Wie hopped several times and kept pumping her right fist over and over. After all the expectations, her long wait was over.
Solheim Cup teammates Morgan Pressel and Creamer showered Wie on the 18th green after the winning putt.
“Just seeing them come out and pour beer all over me, it was a great feeling,” Wie said. “I’ve always seen it on TV, and I’ve always wanted people to pour beer on me. It was as great as I thought it was.”
Her parents, dad B.J. and mom Bo, also were there for an embrace.
“I think it’s just so awesome, seeing them on the 18th green and hugging them,” Wie said. “You know, we have been through a lot as a family, and it’s just so great that they are here to share my highs and to keep me up from the lows, as well.”
Pressel (67), Jiyai Shin (71) and Cristie Kerr (72) were three back. Wie finished at 13-under 275 after starting the day tied for the lead with Kerr at 10-under.
Wie first qualified for a USGA event at age 10 and played an LPGA event when she was 12. She joined the LPGA this season and has begun to show the sizzling game that has made her arguably the biggest attraction in women’s golf.
“Right now, it feels fantastic,” Wie said. “It’s a great year. I went through some ups and downs. And obviously this tournament is the icing on the cake.”
The LPGA, battered by economic problems and the forced resignation of its commissioner this summer, needs this as much as Wie.
“Literally, when Michelle Wie is atop the leaderboard, it’s like night and day, and that’s star power,” LPGA spokesman David Higdon said the day before Wie’s win. “That’s all it is. This is somebody people want to follow.”
Ames prevails in playoff
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Stephen Ames won his second title in three years at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic, edging George McNeill and Justin Leonard on the second playoff hole.
Ames shot an 8-under 64 for the clubhouse lead at 18-under, then watched as McNeill (67) and Leonard (67) failed to pass him. Leonard rimmed out a 16-foot putt for the win in regulation.
Bourdy holds off McIlroy
HONG KONG — France’s Gregory Bourdy (67) survived a late challenge from Rory McIlroy (64) to win the Hong Kong Open by two strokes and secure a berth at the European Tour’s year- end championship in Dubai.
