Wie one place off bottom in men's tournament in Japan

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

KOCHI, Japan (AFP) — Michelle Wie bogeyed nine holes in the first round of the Casio World Open and looked set to miss another cut in the men's game. The 17-year-old Korean-American high school girl from Hawaii squandered all her five birdie chances to finish 101st in a 102-strong field with a nine-over-par 81.

"My swing didn't feel that bad. I just have to get my confidence back on my driver and hit the ball like I always do. And I'll be fine," said Wie, making her 12th attempt in a men's national or international tournament. Indian Jeev Milka Singh shared the first-round lead of 66 with Japan's Tetsuya Haraguchi and Azuma Yano in light rain. Hideki Kase was one stroke further back and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines was tied in fifth spot at 68 with three Japanese. The...