GOLF/US Open Qualifying: Michelle Wie admitted she was let down by her putting as she failed to become the first woman to qualify for the US Open on Monday.
A two-under-par 68 in the morning left Wie in joint-13th place, with 18 places at Winged Foot available, but the 16-year-old Hawaiian fell away with a second-round 75 in the qualifying tournament at Canoe Brook Country Club in New Jersey.
A total of 22 players finished at four under or better, including five that entered a play-off for the final spot.
"I had a couple of bad putts here and there," a disappointed Wie said.
"Unfortunately they came when I didn't want them too. I was hitting the ball well and felt I was putting solidly but these greens are really tricky."
Wie stood at two under par heading into the 31st hole of the 36-hole qualifying event.
After masterfully managing her game with thousands of fans following her, Wie turned aggressive with the putter and paid the price with three bogeys in a row during the last nine to scuttle her challenge.
Wie, who squandered five makable birdie chances during her two-under-par morning round on the hilly South Course, finished three over par for her second 18 on the longer North Course.
"Obviously I'm disappointed that I didn't make it," Wie said. "But I'm satisfied with the way I tried. I played my hardest out there."
Among those to make it through at various venues on Monday were Ian Poulter, Duffy Waldorf, Woody Austin, JB Holmes and Charl Schwartzel, while notable names to miss out were Aaron Baddeley, Jeff Maggert, Peter Lonard, Craig Perry and Brad Faxon.
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