Wie Comes Up Short in Clutch Again

In the world of sports, the word “clutch” means a very important moment that can decide the game.

The “superstars” of sports have the ability to make this moment theirs. In basketball, they shoot the winning basket in a last moment tie situation. In baseball, they bring in the winning run. Reggie Jackson, who hit three homeruns during a Major League World Series game, and Michael Jordan, who was named the Finals MVP six times in the NBA, were known widely as “clutch.”

In golf, Tiger Woods of the U.S. is the best example. Whenever he has a chance at winning, like in the recent British Open, he never allows a turnover. He daunts his competitors by making the critical putt at the deciding hole.

“Golf Wiz” Michelle Wie still seems to lack that “something” to boost her to the level of these sports gods.

Wie tied for second place in the LPGA tour Evian Masters at Evian Masters Golf Club City of Evian-les-Bains, France (Par 72) after the final round on July 30. She was one stroke behind Karrie Webb of Australia, and tied with Laura Davies of England at 15-under 273. She aimed for her first win, which would make her the youngest player to win an LPGA event, but she remained yet again in second place. Wie ranked in the top five in all six games that she played this year, but never managed to go the last five yards to get a win.

Michelle Wie took a two-shot lead at the 11th hole, but bogeyed the 13th (par four), sending both her tee shot and second shot into the bunker and allowing a three-way tie with Webb and Davies.

When the final drive for the cup was on, Wie failed to produce a clutch shot, and the cup went to Webb. Webb birdied the 14th hole (par three), moving into the solo lead, and made a six-meter, downward slope, slice line birdie putt at the 17th (par three), clinching her victory.

Behind two strokes and in second place, Wie aimed for an eagle at the 18th hole (par five) but sent the ball into the bunker after a 300-yard driver shot and barely managed a birdie.

Calling herself “Hulk” because of her excessively long shot distance, Wie cut down nine shots at par five holes, but bogeyed at all the par three holes. Webb, on the other hand, reduced four strokes at par three holes and 11 at par five holes, showing a definite upper hand in both power and precision.

The first player to win three events this season, Webb won $450,000, becoming the leader in prize money as well. Kim Mi-hyeon (KTF), who had a shot at two consecutive wins and a total of three wins, finished fourth with 14-under, and Pak Seri (CJ) was sixth with 12-under.

kjs0123@donga.com