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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 3, 2009

Wie fires 65, trails by one


Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Natalie Gulbis, left, and Michelle Wie share a laugh on the ninth fairway yesterday at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

TONY DEJAK | Associated Press

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Honolulu's Michelle Wie had seven birdies — including five on her first eight holes — and a bogey for a 6-under 65 and was one shot behind a trio of leaders yesterday after the first round of the LPGA's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Sylvania, Ohio.

Laura Diaz, Morgan Pressel and Song-Hee Kim shared the lead with 64s at the Highland Meadows Golf Club. Suzann Pettersen is tied with Wie at 65.

Wie matched her LPGA career best round. Five of her birdies came on putts of 10 feet or less.

"The best part of today was just the rhythm and the tempo," said Wie, who won't turn 20 until October. "I was just going along, hitting fairways and greens and making putts. The mental part was the best part. I felt really good out there, and really confident."

Starting on the back nine, Wie birdied Nos. 12, 13 and 14. Her only bogey came on the par-4 No. 15. She then birdied Nos. 16 and 17 and made the turn at 4-under 33. On the front nine, she birdied the par-5 No. 7 and par-4 No. 9 for a 2-under 32.

"I do want my wedges to get a lot better," Wie said. "Those are the scoring clubs."

Defending champion Paula Creamer, who shot a personal-best and course-record 60 in last year's first round, withdrew because of a thumb injury before her morning tee time.

Pressel, who represents Kapalua on Tour, was second at the Farr two years ago to five-time winner Se Ri Pak. She didn't have a bogey and birdied four holes in a row late in her round.

Kim, who is winless in 56 career LPGA Tour events, twice birdied three consecutive holes during her round. Diaz hasn't won in seven years, but holed a wedge shot for eagle at the par-4 17th hole to move to the top of the leaderboard.

Creamer went wire to wire to beat Nicole Castrale by two shots a year ago.

After an injured left thumb forced her to withdraw from last week's LPGA stop in Pittsford, N.Y., she saw a doctor Monday in suburban Toledo and received a cortisone shot. She was unable to play a practice round but did participate in the pro-am on Wednesday. Creamer then came to the course yesterday morning and worked on the driving range before tearfully telling tournament officials she was withdrawing.

"This is an event I feel a very special bond with and it's disappointing not to be able to defend my title," she said in a statement.

Creamer said she hopes to play in next week's U.S. Women's Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.