Michelle Wie Exits U.S. Women`s Amateur

17-year-old Song Aree is making fast moves to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Son won the first and second round of match play held at Gladwyne Philadelphia Country Club in Pennsylvania on August 8.

Teen sensation Michelle Wie, however, was knocked out of the tournament in the first round by Maru Martinez of Venezuela.

Song beat Emily Bastel 4 and 3 in her first-round match and Laura Cross 4 and 3 in the second round. Cross had eliminated Song`s sister, Naree, 5 and 4 in the first round.

Song, the top player in U.S. women`s amateur ranking, recorded an eagle on the par-5, 508-yard 12th when she holed a shot from 30 yards with a sand wedge.

˝I think that iron shots and putting were good. Now that I have consumed much energy, I will have to take a rest for the match tomorrow,˝ said Song after the match.

Naree Song, her twin sister, was knocked out in the first round, disappointing the crowd who expected to see a showdown between the sisters.

Meantime, Michelle Wie was beaten 1-up by Maru Martinez in the first round. Martinez made a 4-foot par putt on 17 — while Wie was missing a short par — to break a tie and take a one-stroke lead.

In-Bee Park, last year`s junior champion, defeated Katie Connelly 2 and 1 in the first round and Lindsay Hulwick 7 and 6 in the second.

Two Korean Americans, Amy Joe and Jane Park, also advanced to the third round, but Korean Jung Da-sol was eliminated in the first round by American Mellory Underwood.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com