ASSOCIATED PRESS Michelle Wie found the rough beside the road on the par-5 fifth too tough to handle as she bogeyed the hole yesterday.

Triple bogey costs Wie

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland » Michelle Wie continued her on-again, off-again approach to the game during the second round of the Women's British Open and it cost her.

After opening with an even-par 73 on Thursday, Wie came back with a 7-over 80 yesterday to miss the cut by two shots. The unlucky 13th proved to be her undoing with a triple-bogey 7. She had only one birdie for the day -- at the 18th.

"I am so very disappointed not to be able to play the weekend," Wie said. "My driving was fantastic -- I am really happy that I have my driver back in play. My irons and putting really let me down. I just couldn't convert. I am so disappointed. I didn't play as well as I wanted to, but no excuses. Just playing two rounds here is an amazing feat because it's two more than I've ever played here."

Wie opened with a bogey at the first en route to shooting 3-over 39 on the front. She had a bogey at the 11th due in part to poor putting. But after hitting a great drive at the par-4 13th, her iron approach found a pot bunker. It was her first time in one and she didn't do well at all.

Her first attempt to get out ricocheted off the right side and front wall before falling back. Wie calmly got out and decided to blast out sideways. She didn't hit it quite hard enough, as the ball almost returned to the bunker. Fortunately it nestled on the lip. A flop shot onto the green ran 20 feet past the pin. Two putts later, the dejected Punahou graduate walked off 13 with a triple-bogey 7.

"My wrist was better, only felt it on a couple of shots," Wie said. "I am feeling stronger. There are lots of positives -- mainly my driving. Wie plans to play in the CN Canadian Women's Open starting Aug. 16 with a sponsor's invitation and the following week the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore. Then Stanford beckons.

Leading at the halfway mark is Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, who shot a solid 73 yesterday. She is 6-under 140 for the tournament and holds a one-shot advantage over Wendy Ward and local favorite Catriona Matthew. Annika Sorenstam and defending champion Sherri Steinhauer are tied for third at 3-under 143.

Ochoa had two birdies and a bogey on the front for a 35 but struggled on the back with the changing wind conditions with a 38. Finishing with a bogey on 18 with three putts, including a missed 4-footer for par, she was "still pleased with my round and to have the lead.

"It was a good day. I'm pleased with my round," said the Mexican, who has had several missed opportunities in previous majors. "I'm upset about the three-putt on 18, but I'm just glad I still have the lead.

"I'm very pleased the way we worked the strategy with my caddie. I think we are in good shape and we understand pretty good the golf course and hopefully we can keep doing the same thing for a couple more days."

Ward kept it close with five birdies during her round. But like Ochoa, she missed a 4-footer for par at the last hole. Matthew has finished in the top 10 of major events eight times. Her 68 gave the local fans plenty to cheer about.

"Hopefully it will inspire me," she said. "Obviously it's great today finishing those last few holes and there's still some big crowds out there cheering me on. Nice to get some support. When you play in the States all the time, I don't get the same sort of support."

Steinhauer proved once again she enjoys the links-style courses. She has won the Women's British Open three times in her career and moved a step closer to a fourth with a 2-under 71 that left her in a tie for fourth with former World No. 1 Sorenstam three shots back.

"It was very calm on the outward holes and not very difficult," Steinhauer said. "I wish I could have taken a little more advantage."

Sorenstam has one British Open Championship in her bag already. But the thought of winning her 11th major can't be too far off her mind.

"I thought I hit the ball beautifully today and had a lot of chances," she said. "Those two would have been nice, but otherwise I was playing to my game plan."