Wie climbs
to third at
rainy PublinxThe 13-year-old drains
four birdies to move within
three strokes of the leader
PALM COAST, Fla. >> Michelle Wie shot a 1-under-par 71 yesterday and was three shots off the lead after the second round of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.
Wie, who has already qualified to play in the U.S. Women's Open, rebounded from a 73 in the first round, and pulled even for the tournament. After two rounds she was third behind Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand.
Nirapathpongporn fired a 3-under 69 yesterday for a 141 total, a shot ahead of Florida's Aimee Cho. Cho had the best round of the day with a 68.
Two local golfers are tied for 11th place through two rounds. Honolulu's Stephanie Kono shot a 2-over 74 and Hilo's Amanda Wilson struggled to a 77 for a 150 total.
Kamehameha's Mari Chun, who will be a junior in the fall, is another shot back after a round of 79. Chun started the day tied for sixth after an opening-day 72.
Play was delayed early yesterday because of rain and then suspended because of darkness with 30 players still on the course. Players will finish the second round of stroke play this morning, then move to the first round of match play.
Before the storms hit, Wie enjoyed a gallery of nearly 200 spectators. When play resumed, however, just a handful remained.
"It was kind of strange," she said. "All of the people were noisy and alive, and after the rain everything seemed so dead."
The 13-year-old started off well, making two birdies on the front nine while avoiding any bogeys. She added two birdies on the backside, but her round suffered from four penalty strokes.
Wie bogeyed Nos. 13, 15 and 16, but saved par on her last two holes.
Defending champion Annie Thurman is tied for fourth, four shots back.
Wie, playing in her fourth Public Links, first qualified at age 10 in 2000. She has played in two LPGA events -- with plans to compete in four more this year, including the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey next week.