Wie falls short in Masters bid

WIE LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — Michelle Wie won’t be playing the Masters, at least not next year. Brigham Young junior Clay Ogden birdied four of the first five holes and never let up in handing the 15-year-old high school junior a 5-and-4 loss Friday in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur Public Links.

Ogden never gave Wie an opening after his hot start. The loss ended her hopes of winning the men’s Publinx, which would have allowed her to become the first woman to get an invitation to the Masters.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed, but it’s not the end of the world,” Wie said. “You have to make lots of birdies and give your opponent no chance.”

Ogden had been here before, losing to eventual champion Ryan Moore 2-and-1 a year ago in the quarterfinals. But his victory early Friday set him up for a 2-and-1 semifinal win over Wisconsin junior Garrett Jones this time.

Ogden’s lead grew to 5-up at the turn when Wie’s approach at No. 9 hit a tree and bounced back into a lake. It was one of the few mistakes she made.

She won her only hole when Ogden bogeyed No. 10, but Ogden came right back with a birdie to win the 11th. He closed out the match three holes later.

On the deciding hole, Ogden missed the green, but his chip from the rough landed softly on the green and rolled to less than a foot from the pin. Wie conceded the putt, and the two shook hands.

Wie said she hoped to play in the Publinx again next summer. The 6-footer barely missed making the cut at two PGA Tour events, and was tied for the lead at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this month before faltering in the final round.

Wie will travel to France for the Evian before playing in the Women’s British Open. Then she plans to take time off before starting her school year.

She was asked if she would make a decision soon about turning pro.

“No, but you are going to find out when I do,” she said.