Wilson trails by 2 in Milwaukee

Dean Wilson not playing at the British Open may turn out to be a good thing.

The former Kaneohe resident shot a sizzling 5-under 65 yesterday at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee to trail first-day leader Richard S. Johnson by two shots. Wilson begins today's second round of the PGA Tour event in a tie for fourth with Patrick Sheehan. Brothers Deane and Brendan Pappas were tied for second one shot back at 6-under 64.

Wilson began the tournament in 70th place for the FedEx Cup chase. After a slow start this season, the Castle High product has climbed steadily up the rankings. Had he not had a bad round at the John Deere Classic last week, he would have had another top-10 finish. He carded a bogey-free round yesterday with three birdies on the front and two on the back.

Fellow local boy Parker McLachlin is tied for 40th after opening with a 2-under 68. McLachlin, who is in 89th place in the FedEx Cup, birdied three of the final four holes to help offset three bogeys.

On the LPGA Tour, Michelle Wie continues to work toward earning her card without having to attend Q-school this fall. She needs to finish in the top 90 money winners to automatically qualify and has this tournament and one in Canada to make that happen.

Wie shot a 5-under 67 yesterday, her best round of the year, and trails front-runner Christina Kim by four shots at the State Farm Classic. Wie led early on, thanks to an eagle at the par-5 15th, but the 18-year-old was just off enough on her putts to fall back later in the round.

"I think it's a definite, telling sign that I can shoot a lot better," Wie said. "Today could have easily been eight, nine, 10 under."