Other Sports

Wie pulls out of John Deere Golf Classic

(AFP)
Updated: 2007-06-20 17:10

Michelle Wie of the US walks onto the green during the 2007 McDonald's LPGA Championship, 9 June 2007, in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Wie has withdrawn from the 2007 PGA John Deere Classic to continue to rehabilitate her injured wrist, according to tournament officials. [AFP]

Michelle Wie has withdrawn from the 2007 PGA John Deere Classic to continue to rehabilitate her injured wrist, tournament officials announced Tuesday.

Wie has played in the event the last two years on sponsor exemptions. She nearly made the cut in 2005 as a 15-year-old until a double-bogey and a bogey late in her second round caused her to miss the cut by two shots with rounds of 70-71.

Last year, Wie shot a 77 to open the tournament before withdrawing midway through the second round with heat exhaustion.

"This has been a particularly difficult decision to make because of the support I have received from the John Deere Classic," Wie said.

"I want to thank John Deere for offering me this tremendous opportunity. I hope I get the chance to go back and play there again."

Wie is recuperating from a wrist injury suffered earlier this year and still plans to play in the US Women's Open next week.

"I'm just coming back from an injury," Wie said. "While my rehabilitation is on schedule, I do not have all of my strength back yet. The TPC Deere Run course is obviously very long and I just don't have the length to play there right now.

"I do intend to play in the US Women's Open, and to continue competing throughout the summer to help myself gain strength and get back to where I want to be."

The John Deere Classic is a PGA Tour event to be played July 12-15 at the Tournament Players Club Deere Run.