After 72 holes at LPGA Sectional qualifying, Michelle Wie showed why people were so high on her potential when she first hit the golf scene.
Rounds of 70-65-74-71 were good enough to finish in a tie for fourth place, securing her a spot in the finals of LPGA Q-School in Daytona Beach, Florida in early December.
The top-30 golfers out of the original 164 moved on, and Wie was never even close to falling out of the top-5, much less missing a chance at earing her tour card at the finals. The key word there is "earning," as she's been so heavily criticized for getting a free ride all these years. This is her chance to prove to people that she belongs on tour for a full year, and the first step in the process was a successful one.
Wie tied fellow tour professional Stacy Lewis, who tied for third at the Women's U.S. Open earlier this year. This is also her first attempt at Q-school and she's making the best of it.
Sun-Ju Ahn went wire to wire to win the tournament at 16-under.
Michelle Wie Snapshots
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a tee shot on the tenth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Tim Vickers, caddie to Michelle Wie, examines the thrid hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Vickers
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Becky Brewerton of the United Kingdom (R) and Michelle Wie (2nd R) talk with their caddies on the seventh hole tee box during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Becky Brewerton;Michelle Wie;Tim Vickers
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a chip shot onto the first hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits her third shot out of the bunker on the sixth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: B.J. Wie, father of Michelle Wie, watches the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** B.J. Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie walks off the eighth hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: B.J. Wie, father of Michelle Wie, watches the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** B.J. Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie reacts to a missed putt on the ninth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a tee shot on the 5th hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie
Getty Images
