Michelle Wie helps U.S. rally in Curtis Cup

Associated Press and USGA reports

Bo Wie, left, watches daughter Michelle, right, during the first day of the Curtis Cup between the United States and a team from Great Britain and Ireland. Associated Press

Wie, 14, led a comeback that saw the U.S. team win five of six singles matches yesterday to take a 5-4 lead over Britain-Ireland in the biennial competition.

The Cup ends today with three more alternate-shot matches in the morning and six singles matches in the afternoon at Formby Golf Club.

Wie and partner Brittany Lang lost their foursome (alternate shot) match in morning play as the U.S. fell behind 3-0.

"I was a little bit nervous at first, but after (now) I'm ready," said Wie, who recently completed her freshman year at Punahou School. "I just putted a lot better and hit the ball a lot better this afternoon."

The European team went up 4-0 when it won the opening singles match. Emma Duggleby of England, playing in her third Curtis Cup, defeated Liz Janangelo of West Hartford, Conn., 3 and 2.

From there, it was all United States. None of the final four went beyond the 15th hole.

Wie, the youngest player in Curtis Cup history, had the day's most decisive victory, knocking off Anna Highgate, 5 and 4. Wie won three straight holes starting at the seventh. She also took the 11th and 13th.

"Foursomes is a little bit tough because you don't really get your rhythm," Wie said. "But the singles has helped our confidence."

Wie is part of a U.S. team that doesn't have a player over 22. U.S. Captain Martha Kirouac chose three high school golfers as the Americans try to retain the only international cup they own outright. Europe and British teams have the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Walker Cup. The Presidents Cup ended in a tie.

Kirouac said the alternate shots were "a wake-up call for us."

"These girls are very competitive," she said. "They don't like being shut out 3-0. I think they showed that in the afternoon."

Wie plays with Janangelo this morning against Laing, of Scotland, and Claire Coughlan, of Ireland.