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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, February 22, 2007

GOLF REPORT
Wie's absence draws players' mixed reactions

 •  Pros play through with no pregnancy pause

Advertiser Staff

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When the Fields Open in Hawai'i tees off on Michelle Wie's home course today at Ko Olina, her presence figures to be limited to the advertisements in the official tournament program, a disappointment for some players in the field.

"It would have been fun," said Julieta Granada, runner-up last week at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay. "I always want to compete against the best and she always has a great game. But since she's not here, we really can't say much about it."

Wie, who finished third in the inaugural Fields Open last year, is out with a wrist injury until at least next month.

SBS Open winner Paula Creamer said, "I come out every week playing the golf course, so to me it doesn't really matter who is in the field. Obviously, you want a strong field and you want the best players there. Ultimately, I just come out trying to play my game and play the course and beat that number."

• • •

Twelve-year-old cancer patient Katie Anderson of Dubuque, Iowa got to meet her golfing idol, Paula Creamer, yesterday.

Anderson, who is in town through the Make a Wish Foundation, spent about 10 minutes with the SBS Open champion after Creamer's pro-am round.

"That was really awesome," said Tina Anderson, Katie's mother.

"I like to do that when there's an opportunity," Creamer said. "It sure puts things in perspective."

• • •

Meena Lee was unruffled in winning the inaugural Fields Open last year on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff but said she is "nervous" about defending it today.

"It is always good to be back and defend a title," Lee said. "I'm happy to be here but because of defending the title I'm a little nervous. But I'll do my best."

• • •

SBS open runner-up Julieta Granada said she came down with "the flu," but said she expects to be ready to go for today's opening round.

"(Tuesday) I couldn't play a practice round, I was feeling pretty bad," Granada said. "Hopefully, I'll feel better (today). I've got a late tee time (11:55 a.m.) so that will help me recover just a little bit. I'm taking some medicine, so I'm hoping to get some good sleep."