When Michelle Wie and Cristie Kerr began yesterday's third round of the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., they were tied for 16th. But while Kerr shot to the top of the leaderboard with a blistering 66, Wie went just as hard in the opposite direction with a 5-over 77 to drop to 1 under for the event. She trails Kerr and Kristy McPherson by 11 shots.

Wie carded one double bogey and seven bogeys, including four on the front nine against only two birdies for a 38. She quickly drew even for her round with consecutive birdies to open the back side, but it was a disappointing ride from there with back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 15 and 16, followed by a double at 17 and a closing bogey at 18 to drop out of contention. Wie went 5 over on her last four holes and opens the fourth round tied for 62nd.