KAHUKU — Her deliberate, well-chosen words preached patience.

But Michelle Wie's post-match body language suggested something else.

And, really, after seven years of starts on the LPGA Tour, 48 tournaments in all now, how could Wie not be in a hurry to get back on the course in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay today and wrap up what could be her first professional championship?

When you're 19 and haven't won anything since the 2003 U.S. Public Links at age 13, who wants to wait so much as a day when the title is there for the taking?

A 2-under-par 70 in challenging winds of up to 35 mph yesterday has laid it all out for Wie today, earning her a two-day 136 and placing her in the enviable position of tied for the lead with Angela Stanford.

There are just 18 holes standing between Wie and that, so far, elusive first pro victory. Once upon a not-too-distant time it had been a foregone conclusion that she'd already have a handful by this stage. Judging by her second-place finish at Turtle Bay as a 15-year-old, it seemed she'd have a victory before she had a driver's license or a high school diploma.

Those personal milestones have passed and the distinction of being the youngest LPGA winner belongs to others, including two in this field, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel. Both won 72-hole tournaments at 18.

Meanwhile, in a statement that tells you a lot about the struggles of recent years, when Wie was asked yesterday about the last time she had been in this kind of position, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know."

And, indeed, it has been a while, the roller coaster ride of the last two years surely making it seem like an eternity. Her last LPGA start, the CN Canadian Women's Open, was six months ago. Then, there was the State Farm Classic in July where a 67 was wasted when failure to sign a scorecard ended in disqualification.

But from the depths of that head-shaking disappointment and a series of injuries, Wie emerged from qualifying school in December with not only her LPGA Tour card but renewed confidence and improved shot-making. From Thursday's eight-birdie opening round here, she has played like, well, the Wie of old. She has 12 birdies against four bogeys. She has a gallery at her back. And unmistakable urgency.

"It would be great (to win)," Wie said. "I just don't want to get that ingrained in my head just yet. I feel like everybody has been asking me that and (there's) still a day left..."

What's one more day?

For Wie, a lot.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.