Wie nursing injured wrist

EAST MOLINE, Ill., June 19 (UPI) -- Teen golf pro Michelle Wie has withdrawn from next month's John Deere Classic PGA event to give her injured wrist more time to heal, it was announced Tuesday.

Wie said it was "a particularly difficult decision" to pull out of the July 12-15 event in Silvis, Ill.

Wie played in the LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock in Maryland this month but struggled and finished 21-over 309 -- in last place among the 84 players who made the cut. She was criticized by Annika Sorenstam and tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens for playing in the tourney a week after withdrawing from the Ginn Tribute.

The 17-year-old golfer had played at the John Deere Classic the last two years on a sponsor's exemption. She had to withdraw during last year's event because of heat exhaustion.

Wie said the rehabilitation of her right wrist is on schedule but she doesn't have the strength needed for the John Deere tourney.

"I do intend to play in the U.S. Women's Open, and to continue competing throughout the summer to help myself gain strength and get back to where I want to be," Wie said.