Battling Wie narrowly makes LPGA Championship cut

HAVRE DE GRACE, Maryland, June 9 (Reuters) Michelle Wie, unable to use a driver because of a lingering wrist injury, narrowly made the cut at the LPGA Championship.

The 17-year-old Hawaiian bogeyed the final hole for a two-over-par second-round 74, flirting with the cutline for most of the afternoon before squeezing through right on the number.

Wie, who has not missed an LPGA Tour cut since she was a 13-year-old at the Kroger Classic, was among 84 players to qualify for the weekend after finishing on three-over 147.

''All I'm thinking about is hitting the ball in the fairway, keeping it in the short stuff, keeping it on the green and making putts for birdies,'' she told reporters after ending the day 11 shots off the pace yesterday.

''I'm just having fun out there. I'm just so happy to be out there again.'' Wie had been sidelined since January because of her problem wrist until returning to action at last week's Ginn Tribute where she controversially pulled out after just 16 holes.

''This week is 5,000 times better than last week,'' she said after mixing five bogeys with three birdies on a scorching day at the Bulle Rock Golf Course.

''My wrist felt a lot better and I felt stronger today,'' added Wie, who picked up two shots on the back nine after making a stumbling start. ''I actually felt like I played some pretty good golf out there.

''I was four over coming into 14 and I knew I had to make two birdies coming in. And I did, back-to-back. Those were the kinds of holes that show me and other people that I still have it in me.'' Wie was frustrated she had to leave her driver out of her bag for a second day in a row.

''I whacked a couple on the range today because I had to get my frustration out,'' she said.

''My driver is the longest and heaviest club in my bag so I obviously have to work into it.

''This is my first injury and I realise I have to be careful with my body. I know I'm not 100 percent so I'm just asking everyone to be patient with me because it's going to take time.'' Reuters AKD GC1443