The Publinx is a USGA championship event for golfers who are "publinx" players - that is, who play public links courses rather than belonging to a country club.
Wie defeated 21-year-old Virada Nirapathpongporn, of Thailand, 1-up in the 36-hole final at the par-72, 6,068-yard Ocean Hammock Golf Club in Palm Coast, Fla.
Nirapathpongporn had been medalist in the stroke-play qualifying, finishing two rounds at 141. Wie was third in qualifying with a 144.
Wie's march through the match-play bracket began 2-and-1 win over Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif. She then defeated Hwanhee Lee of Los Angeles, 2-and-1. Becky Lucidi of Poway, Calif., the reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champ, was the next victim, 5-and-4. In the semifinals, Wie defeated Aimee Cho of Orlando, Fla., 5-and-4.
That set up the 36-hole final with Nirapathpongporn, who had not been seriously challenged in her march through the bracket.
Nirapathpongporn was 4-up following the eighth hole of the match, but Wie began cutting into the lead until the match was squared on the 14th hole. Nirapathpongporn went back ahead on the 20th hole, and was 2-up after 22 holes, but Wie evened the match again on the 24th.
Wie took the lead on the 25th hole and never trailed again. Nirapathpongporn got the match back to square with two holes to play, but Wie birdied the 35th hole to move back in front. Both players parred the 36th and final hole, giving Wie the 1-up victory.
