Wie falls short of men's US Open spot

SUMMIT, New Jersey, June 6 (Reuters) Teenager Michelle Wie was two birdies away from a chance at becoming the first woman to play in the men's US Open golf championship before a balky putter ended her quest.

The 16-year-old from Hawaii stood at two under par heading into the 31st hole of the 36-hole qualifying event at Canoe Brook Country Club yesterday with four-under the number needed to play off for a berth in the Open at Winged Foot.

After masterfully managing her game with thousands of fans following her every shot, Wie turned aggressive with the putter and paid the price with three bogeys in a row during the last nine that scuttled her challenge.

Wie, who squandered five makeable 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 told reporters. ''But I'm satisfied with the way I tried. I played my hardest out there.'' Wie, who won her local qualifying in Hawaii to earn the right to compete at Canoe Brook, finished 68-75 for 143, five shots out of a playoff in a tie for 59th.

She had been competing against 152 other players, including some top professionals, for 18 spots in the field for the U.S.

men's championship later this month at Winged Foot.

PUSHING HARDER Pushing harder to make birdies, Wie ran a bold birdie putt three feet by the cup from 30 feet and failed to make the comebacker for the first bogey in the pivotal stretch. On the next hole, the par-3 fifth, she again ran a couple of feet past the hole and her par putt caught the lip and spun out.

An errant drive into the deep rough led to a third successive bogey and the end of her historic challenge.

Her father said he was proud of the way she competed.

''I'm disappointed but I'm very proud of her,'' B.J. Wie told reporters at the 18th green. ''I think she demonstrated the possibility for women to get into men's majors.'' Wie's playing partners said they were impressed by the tall, power-hitting teenager.

David Gossett, who shot 146, said: ''I think Michelle Wie handled herself extremely professionally. She is a tribute to the game of golf. I respect her for what she's trying to do.'' Wie said she did not feel much pressure even though 5,000 spectators and nearly 300 media members flocked to watch her.

''I don't really feel any pressure today,'' she said. ''I was out there just trying to shoot a score. I was just playing.'' The galleries were full of women and young girls and boys, many wearing buttons showing their support for Wie.

''I think it's fantastic,'' said Judy Manns, a non-golfer who came up from Princeton, N.J., to watch Wie. ''Even if she doesn't make it, she's already won.'' Reuters SK VP0732