• Golf

Wie sidelined for three to five weeks

Mechelle Voepel
August 10, 2014
Michelle Wie's won the US Women's Open in June © Getty Images
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Michelle Wie will not be playing in the LPGA Championship and says she will be out injured for three to five weeks due to a stress reaction in a bone of the index finger on her right hand.

Wie's status for another major, The Evian Championship in mid-September, is also in doubt. The LPGA Championship is next week.

Wie withdrew from the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Thursday, saying then she could not grip her clubs. She was examined in Cleveland by hand surgeon Tom Graham, who described the ailment as an "acute-on-chronic" injury that was influenced by the volume of her practice and competitive play.

Graham also treated Wie for a wrist injury she suffered earlier in her career, in 2007.

"I was looking forward to playing the next three weeks," Wie said in a statement released by her management group. "It's honestly one of my favorite stretches on tour. It's extremely disappointing to miss these events, but I am relieved to have a proper diagnosis."

The LPGA Championship is the season's fourth major, to be held at Monroe Golf Club outside of Rochester, New York. The next three events on the LPGA schedule are in Canada August 21-24, in Portland, Oregon, August 28-31, and then the Evian Championship in France, September 11-14. The Evian was elevated to major status last year.

Wie, who won the US Women's Open in June, said she wants to return as soon as she can, but understands the need not to rush back from her injury.

"Seven years ago, I would have tried to play through this injury and it is important to me not to make that mistake again," Wie said. "I feel more comfortable now listening to my body and, while it's hard to miss this stretch of events, I know I will be better suited to continue a great year and finish strong."

This article first appeared on ESPN.com

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