That is, they thought they recognized him.

"My caddie overheard one of the spectators saying, 'Oh, that's Michelle Wie's dad. He got a sponsor invite, too,"' said Wi, who — like Wie — missed the cut at the John Deere in July 2005. "I thought that was hilarious."

If Wi continues to play the way he did Thursday, more people will know who he really is.

Bolstered by a birdie-birdie finish, Wi shot a 5-under 65 in windy conditions at PGA National, giving him a one-shot lead over Bernhard Langer after one round of the Honda Classic. He missed only two fairways, connected on 17 of 20 putts inside 25 feet, and made a 40-footer for birdie at the par-4 13th.

"Today was definitely my day hitting the ball," said Wi, who has made only 14 cuts in 30 previous PGA Tour starts, but finished tied for ninth earlier this year at the Buick Invitational to make a career-best $130,000. "And I'm really happy that when you have the opportunity, you capitalize on it. That's really important to me."

Marco Dawson, Robert Allenby, Joe Ogilvie and Cliff Kresge shot 67s on a day marked by 20 mph wind and even higher gusts. Brandt Snedeker, 2005 winner Padraig Harrington, Davis Love III and Brett Wetterich were among those who opened with 68s, and Jim Furyk led a group of four another shot back at 69.

Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, opened with a 4-over-par 74 yesterday and is tied for 81st.