Wiesy Makes It Look Easy In First Round Of Women’s Open

Michelle Wie carded a seven-under-par 65 Thursday to take a three-shot lead after the opening-round of the CN Canadian Women’s Open at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg.

After making the turn at three-under-par, the 20-year old holed a five iron from 181 yards for the second LPGA ace of her career.

The hole-in-one on No. 11 propelled Wie to five-under-par to that point, giving her sole possession of the lead. Despite a bogey at No. 12, she rallied with three birdies on her final six holes, including the 17th where she holed out from the greenside bunker.

“I just tried to go out there and have fun and focus on every shot,” said Wie. “I didn’t really think about my score. I just went out there and tried to hit every shot as best I could. The crowds were awesome. The people out there were cheering pretty loudly. It was just really fun today.”

Wie holds the first-round lead for the second time in her career, dating back to the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open, where she went on to tie for 23rd.

Sarah Kemp took the early lead with a four-under 68 and now trails Wie by three shots. The 25-year-old Australian is searching for her first top-10 as a member of the LPGA.

“You’ve just got to stay patient and I think that’s what I’ve learned over the years,” she said. “Good things are going to happen if you just keep putting yourself in situations.”

Defending champion Suzann Pettersen put herself in contention by recording four birdies and a bogey en route to a three-under 69. The six-time LPGA Tour winner is currently four-strokes behind Wie heading into Friday’s second round.

Toronto’s Seema Sadekar, who now lives in Las Vegas, fired a one-over 72 to lead the 14 Canadians in this week’s field. Below is how the entire Canadian contingent finished the first round:

Seema Sadekar +1
Sue Kim +2
Lorie Kane +3
(a) Rebecca Lee-Bentham +3
Alena Sharp +4
Jessica Shepley +4
(a) Sara-Maude Juneau +5
Lisa Meldrum + 5
Samantha Richdale +5
Adrienne White +5
Kirby Dreher +6
(a) Jennifer Kirby +6
Stephanie Sherlock +8
(a) Christine Wong +12

(a) Denotes Amateur

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