Wie, Kono, Wilson
advance at U.S. JuniorsThree Hawaii entrants make it
to match play -- and all of them
win their openers
FAIRFIELD, Conn. >> Michelle Wie led a parade of three Hawaii golfers with wins in first-round matches yesterday at the USGA Girls' Junior Championship.
Honolulu's Stephanie Kono (149 in stroke play) completed her rain-delayed second round of stroke play to advance, then defeated Sommer Scholl of Riverside, Calif. (158), 6 and 5 in the first round of match play.
Amanda Wilson of Hilo (151) beat Kimberly Donovan of Hopkinton, Mass. (157), 1 up.
Wie was 3-up after eight holes, but was extended eight more before eliminating Blair Ressler of Bellingham, Wash., 3 and 2.
"It was her day," said Wie. "She was hitting every shot perfect."
The 13-year-old Wie won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links last month and is trying to become the first player to win both titles.
Ressler, 16, was playing in her first junior championship and was clearly the favorite of the gallery at Brooklawn Country Club by the time her final par putt slid past the cup on her final hole.
"Everyone was here to see her and they were clapping for me," Ressler said. "I had nothing to lose. I know I can hit good shots. I wish the match could have gone a little further. It was a lot of fun. I was so excited. She's the best person here."
Defending champion In Bee Park, of Eustis, Fla., also won her first-round match, beating Lala Anai, of Lexington, Ky., 6 and 5.
Anai, 15, clinched the 64th and last spot in the match play portion of the tournament by surviving a 10-person playoff earlier yesterday.
Park shot her second straight 1-under 70 to finish one stroke in front of Wie and win medalist honors for the second consecutive year.
"I missed some short putts and I made some long putts," Park said. "It was a crazy day."
The other top seeds -- No. 3 Sukjin-Lee Wuesthoff of Toms River, N.J., No. 4 Paula Creamer of Pleasanton, Calif., and No. 5 Julieta Granada of Paraguay -- all advanced to the second round of match play.
"I knew from the beginning it wasn't going to be easy," Wie said. "As the No. 2 seed, I don't want to lose. The lower-ranked girls I play don't want to lose either.
"I played great today. I hit a lot of shots close to the hole. I just have to putt better next time."
The second and third round of match play are today, with the quarterfinals and semifinals tomorrow.
The 18-hole final in the tournament for amateurs 18 and younger is Saturday.
