Wie Loses in Third Round at USGA Girls

Experience made a big difference. 13-year-old `golf phenomenon` Michelle Wie lost to 15-year-old Morgan Pressel by three holes in the third round of the U.S. Girls` Junior held at Brooklawn Country Club on July 25.

The failure to advance to quarterfinals dashed Wie`s ambitious goal of becoming the first player to win both the Public Links Championship and Junior Championship.

The match between the two, however, seemed like a final. The estimated crowed of 500 reacted to every move of the two players, shouting at times and sighing at other times.

It was Pressel`s experience that made a big difference. Although Wie was invited to U.S. LPGA Tour as a special guest early this year and became the youngest Public Links champion last month, Pressel was more experienced.

Pressel, who two years ago became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women`s Open, was consistent throughout the match. It was a tough day for Wie, however. She was struggling with driver shots, while Pressel stuck to her par save strategy and led by four holes through No. 11.

Wie made two birdies on No. 13 and 14 by narrowing the gap by two holes. She made a bogey on No. 16, however, losing by three holes to Pressel who recorded a par save.

“I feel disappointed,” Wie said after the match. “Everything can be viewed in a positive way and I am glad that I can play at USGA Girls next year.”

“I have learned that I must not miss fairways through my two-time experience in US Women`s Open,” said Pressel. “I tried not to miss a fairway all day.”

Defending champion In-Bee Park advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-and-4 victory over Whitney Wade, and Korean American Lee Suk-jin also landed on the quarterfinals. Meantime, Gang Sung-hoon and Lee Jung-hoon advanced to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Boys` Junior held at Columbia Country Club in Maryland.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com