Wie Finishes Fourth in Sectional Qualifying

After 72 holes at LPGA Sectional qualifying, Michelle Wie showed why people were so high on her potential when she first hit the golf scene.

Rounds of 70-65-74-71 were good enough to finish in a tie for fourth place, securing her a spot in the finals of LPGA Q-School in Daytona Beach, Florida in early December.

The top-30 golfers out of the original 164 moved on, and Wie was never even close to falling out of the top-5, much less missing a chance at earing her tour card at the finals. The key word there is "earning," as she's been so heavily criticized for getting a free ride all these years. This is her chance to prove to people that she belongs on tour for a full year, and the first step in the process was a successful one.

Wie tied fellow tour professional Stacy Lewis, who tied for third at the Women's U.S. Open earlier this year. This is also her first attempt at Q-school and she's making the best of it.

Sun-Ju Ahn went wire to wire to win the tournament at 16-under.

Michelle Wie Snapshots

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a tee shot on the tenth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Tim Vickers, caddie to Michelle Wie, examines the thrid hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Vickers

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Becky Brewerton of the United Kingdom (R) and Michelle Wie (2nd R) talk with their caddies on the seventh hole tee box during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Becky Brewerton;Michelle Wie;Tim Vickers

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a chip shot onto the first hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits her third shot out of the bunker on the sixth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: B.J. Wie, father of Michelle Wie, watches the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** B.J. Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie walks off the eighth hole green during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie reacts to a missed putt on the ninth hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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RANCHO MIRAGE, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Michelle Wie hits a tee shot on the 5th hole during the second round of the LPGA Q-School Sectional Qualifying at Mission Hills Country Club on September 17, 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michelle Wie

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