PALM DESERT, Calif., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Michelle Wie was disqualified Sunday from her first tournament as a professional golfer, the Samsung World Championship at Palm Desert, Calif.
Annika Sorenstam won the event, shooting a 3-under 69 on Sunday to beat Paula Creamer by eight strokes. Sorenstam ended at 18-under-par 270.
Wie shot 2-over 74 on Sunday. It would have been good for fourth place, but she was informed after the round that she was disqualified for taking an improper drop on the seventh hole in Saturday's third round.
A reporter notified tournament officials that the drop might be questionable and a review of the NBC Television tape confirmed it. Wie hit into the bushes, took an unplayable lie, and ended up holing a 15-foot par save that was crucial to her third-round 71.
The 16-year-old rookie was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. It cost Wie her first check on the LPGA Tour of $53,126.
