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SUMMIT, N.J. -- Michelle Wie came up shy of making history as the first woman to qualify for the U.S. Open. But the 16-year-old from Hawaii promised to keep trying until she plays in the championship.
Occasionally booming her drives past those of playing partners Rick Hartmann and David Gossett, Wie fired a 68 during her morning round at Canoe Brook's South Course and was in contention to claim one of 18 playing slots from the site for the June 15-18 Open.
But she struggled with a balky putter and skidded to a 3-over-par 75 in her afternoon round on the North Course. She finished at 1 over with a 36-hole score of 143, tied for 59th among 153 players, and five shots off the pace needed to land in a playoff. Brett Quigley was the medalist at 11 under.
"Obviously I'm disappointed I didn't make it," Wie said. "I'm satisfied with the way I tried. I played my hardest out there. I concentrated until the end."
Wie said she'll definitely try to qualify for the 2007 Open. Today she begins her preparations for the McDonald's LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock near Baltimore.
Wie's bid created a circus-like atmosphere during the qualifying round, which typically attracts only friends and families. An estimated 6,000 fans and 300 media members jammed the course, leading tournament organizers to close the gates by 11 a.m., according to Craig Smith, spokesman for the U.S. Golf Association. Armed marshals, with pistols on their hips, stood watch over the greens.
"I'm hoping she inspires my daughter to play more golf," said Dean D'Onofrio, a 47-year-old Canoe Brook member who brought his 11-year-old daughter, Kayce, to watch the event.
"She's very, very good. And she's only bloody 16," said Long Island club pro Hartmann, who finished at 4 over. "You guys are going to be writing about her for a long time."
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