Associated Press
The golf notebook …
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ó Having played 90 holes over five days in pursuit of LPGA Tour membership, the final act for Michelle Wie was to sign her scorecard. Walking to the tent, one fan held up a sign that played off the marathon political season.
“Yes Wie Can.”
Yes, she did, even if the road was filled with one surprise after another.
“I took the long way to get here,” Wie said after a 2-over 74 on Sunday, putting her in a tie for seventh among the 20 players who earned their LPGA cards. “But I feel really good about it.”
The 19-year-old from Hawaii looked to be on the fast track when she qualified for her first LPGA Tour event at age 12. Equally amazing was her downfall.
First came the wrist injuries in 2007, and shattered confidence as she tried to play hurt and couldn’t break par. That led to Q-school, where the “can’t miss” teen could not afford to fail.
PGA QUALIFYING
LA QUINTA, Calif. ó Harrison Frazar finished a memorable week that included a 59 by reaching his ultimate goal Monday, closing with a 5-under 67 at the PGA Tour qualifying tournament to lead 28 players who earned their cards for next season.
He seized control of Q-school with a 59 in the fourth round. He built such a big lead that even with a double bogey on the final hole of the Nicklaus Tournament course at PGA West, he still won by eight shots.
Frazar, who played at Texas with Justin Leonard, finished at 32-under 400. It doesn’t count as an official victory for Frazar, who has played 300 times on the PGA Tour without winning, but it was just as meaningful.
“It means I have a place to go play golf next year,” he said.
RYDER CUPPaul Azinger will not return as U.S. captain in the Ryder Cup after leading the Americans to their only victory this decade.