Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Wie and Nirapathpongporn in HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship

Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand will face U.S. women's Open champion Annika Sorenstam while Hawai`i's Michelle Wie will open against Candy Hannemann on Thursday in the HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship.

The 64th-seeded Nirapathpongporn won the 2002 NCAA individual title for Duke and the 2003 U.S. Women's Amateur.

The 16-year-old Wie earned a spot as the second seed as the No. 2 player in the new world rankings. Most recently Wie tied for third place at the Women's Open.

Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand at U.S. Women's Open golf championship at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island, June 30, 2006.
Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand at U.S. Women's Open golf championship at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island, June 30, 2006. Reuters photo via Yahoo News.

Michelle Wie of the U.S. reacts to her shot on the 13th green of the U.S. Women's Open golf championship at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island July 2, 2006. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES)
Michelle Wie after her shot on the 13th green of the U.S. Women's Open golf championship, July 2, 2006. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi photo via Yahoo News.