Michelle Wie is tied for eighth after the first round of the LPGA Tour's sectional qualifying school as she tries to earn playing privileges on the top women's golf circuit.

Wie shot a 2-under-par 70 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. That's the same course where as a 13- year-old she played in the final group of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA's first major of the golf season.

She trails Sun-Ju Ahn, who shot 6-under 66. Six others shot 3-under 69s in this four-round competition.

Former Baldwin High and San Diego State golfer Shayna Miyajima is tied for 12th after shooting 37-34—71. Two other Hawai'i golfers are tied for 98th. Baldwin High and Idaho alum Kelly Nakashima shot 37-40—77, and Bridget Keala Dwyer, a Punahou School and UCLA alum, shot 38-39—77.

Now an 18-year-old professional, Wie was unable to claim her LPGA Tour card this season, failing to earn enough money competing in seven tour events to gain full-time playing status for 2009. Her $62,763 total would rank 116th on the money list. The top 80 money winners earn playing privileges for 2009, and another 40 have to qualify.

The top 30 players from this sectional and another beginning Sept. 30 will advance to the final 90-hole stage at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Dec. 3-7. The top 40 finishers there earn playing cards, with the top 20 getting priority status, which allows them to enter a greater number of tournaments.

In addition to playing part-time on the LPGA tour, Wie has missed the 36-hole cut in eight men's golf events she has entered.

Wie hasn't won a tournament since capturing the 2003 U.S. Women's Public Links championship at age 13.

Wie's career path has led to criticism from other players, including Annika Sorenstam, the winner of 10 major titles. Helen Alfredsson, 43, said in July that she felt "sad" for Wie and that she should concentrate on competing against women.

Over the past two years, Wie has battled a wrist injury; withdrew from the 2007 Ginn Tribute tournament when she was close to shooting 88, a score that could have led to a suspension from LPGA events; and was disqualified from this year's State Farm Classic after forgetting to sign her scorecard following a career-best score of 65.