Wie's 4 back in U.S. Open

By Mike Moran
Special to The Advertiser

Michelle Wie, of Honolulu, is tied for eighth, four shots behind the leader after two rounds of the U.S. Women's Open at South Hadley, Mass. Associated Press photos TV 9 a.m. NEWS 8 Kim Saiki, of Las Vegas, reacts to her missed birdie on the 15th green during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open.

However, Michelle Wie is attempting to change that.

The 14-year-old amateur was near the top of the leaderboard late in her second round at the Orchards Golf Club, but a double bogey on No. 16 sent Wie to 1 under and in a tie for eighth yesterday. She is tied with Paula Creamer for low amateur. It was the first time Wie broke par in the U.S. Women's Open.

"I had fun," Wie said. "I made a lot of birdies; hit some good shots out there. I had a couple ups and downs, but I think tomorrow if I just get rid of the downs then I'll be good."

Jennifer Rosales took the lead at 5 under (70-67—137). The four-year pro, whose first round was suspended because of a thunderstorm, finished her first round yesterday morning at 1-under then had three consecutive birdies on the back nine to start her second round.

"The last few holes were pretty tough to start with and I just hung in there," Rosales said. The last three holes are considered the toughest on the course.

"I was excited to go to another 18 and make some birdies on the back side.

Kim Saiki, whose mother is a McKinley High graduate, shot a 3-under 68 and is second at 4 under. The 12-year pro eagled 13 to take a share of the lead at 5 under, but she dropped a stroke with a bogey on 16. She came back and birdied 17 but then bogeyed 18.

"I am extremely confident right now," said Saiki, the winner of last week's LPGA Tour Wegmans Rochester. "Having my first victory last week basically took the monkey off my back, and in my opinion there's very little pressure on me now."

Two-time winner Annika Sorenstam is in a three-way tie for third at 3 under.

Sorenstam had four birdies and one bogey for a 68. It was the ninth time she broke 70 in the U.S. Women's Open. Sorenstam hit 13 of 14 fairways in regulation and 17 of 18 greens.

"I'm happy with the way I'm hitting it," Sorenstam said. "I think I played really good for two days. I think I'm in good position."

Amateur Amanda Wilson, 16, of Hilo, shot an 81 to finish 19 over. Her total of 161 was 14 shots off the cut of 147. A total of 66 players made the cut.

Wie had an up-and-down performance on the back 9. Wie made some birdies, but she also had a double bogey and two bogeys.

She showed her emotions when she narrowly missed a long eagle putt on 13, which would have put her at 4 under. She sank to the ground with her putter in the air and did the same when she missed her putt and made double bogey on 16.

"My dad was like 'Come on, you got to get a birdie' and I was just like 'Come on, settle down. We just got to make pars out here. It's good,' " Wie said. "I just felt really calm, even after those bogeys, I felt like I was playing good."

Wie had a couple of interesting moments. On the par-3 10th, Wie overshot the green and hit a spectator. Then on 14, Wie sent a shot into the woods. She found it and punched out. Her caddy and father, BJ, had to wipe her legs when she exited the woods.

"I was in the poison ivy," Wie said. "I was like 'Can I get a relief from that, please?' But I didn't get relief."

The 16th hole that gave Wie fits is a long par 4 at 439 yards and is regarded as the hardest hole on the course. Sorenstam had a double bogey on 16 when she completed her first round yesterday morning.

"It wasn't the start I had in mind but it got me," Sorenstam said. "I woke up and since then I played well."

Even Rosales had a tough time with 16. After three consecutive birdies and three straight pars, a bogey at 16 set her back. However, Rosales came back with a birdie at 18 for a 3-under 32.

Saiki also had a bogey at 16. Michelle Ellis (3 under) bogeyed 16 in the second round while Carin Koch (3 under) bogeyed 16 twice.

NOTES

Wie's odd question: Near the end of Wie's press conference, Michael Won of the Korean Daily News (Los Angeles) changed the subject from golf to politics.

Won asked Wie for her opinion on the beheading of a South Korean hostage in Iraq. Wie said: "I felt sad. I don't know why they do this. It's not necessary. I'm not really into politics. I'm a golfer you guys."

Wie pairing: Wie will be paired with Pat Hurst and will tee off at 7:15 a.m. Hawai'i time. Sorenstam and Kung will tee off at 7:45 a.m., while Rosales and Saiki follow at 7:55 a.m. in the final group.

Mike Moran is a writer for the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

OPEN NOTES

No magic, no fun for leader in 2nd round

Amateur Brittany Lincicome failed to duplicate her first-round magic at the U.S. Women's Open at South Hadley, Mass.

The 18-year-old was sky-high after taking the first-round lead with a record-tying 5-under 66 on Thursday.

But yesterday her putter failed, and so did her smile, as she stumbled with six bogeys for a 77, dropping to 1 over for the tournament. Her fame, although fleeting, was also tiring.

"I tried to be as normal as possible, when I came here this morning, but maybe it got to me more than I thought," Lincicome said. "I couldn't get back and be all happy and cheerful like I was yesterday. I play better if I'm smiling and happy."

But she is happy to make the cut.

"I made the weekend and that's what I was trying to do," she said.

What a difference a victory can make

Kim Saiki, of Las Vegas, reacts to her missed birdie on the 15th green during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open.

In May, the 13-year Tour veteran, met with PGA executive director Charlie Robson to talk about a future as a club pro.

"If I was offered a good job at a club in New York, I would have taken it," she said.

And now?

"Now, absolutely not," she said.