Wie Maintains Three-Shot Lead

Michelle Wie added a three-under-par 69 to Thursday’s 65 and takes a three-shot lead into weekend action at the CN Canadian Women’s Open in Winnipeg.

Wie got off to a shaky start with a bogey on the St. Charles Country Club’s 11th hole, her second of the day, and the same par three she aced during Thursday’s opening-round. She recovered  quickly with birdies on 13 and 15, before making the turn and adding two more birdies on five and six.

“You end every round thinking it could have been better,” said Wie. “There’s a shot here and there, but I went out there and I tried my hardest.  I gave it my all. I’m happy with my round today and, hopefully, tomorrow I can make a lot more birdies.”

The 20-year old is enjoying more than just her play in Winnipeg.

“The crowds are phenomenal,” added Wie. “They’re very supportive and very respectful of the game. It’s really great that they’re all out there, and I feel really grateful that they are.”

Wie is leading after the second round for the fourth time at an LPGA Tour event. Her previous 36-hole leads include the 2010 Tres Marias Championship (finished third), 2009 SBS Open at Turtle Bay (second) and the 2006 Evian Masters (tied for second).

Despite hitting just 10 of 28 fairways through two rounds, Wie has hit 30 of 36 greens in regulation.

Three back of the lead is Jiyai Shin who shot a five-under 67 on Friday. The South Korean sits alone in second at seven-under.

Wie and Shin are followed by defending champion Suzann Pettersen and Morgan Pressel, the youngest major winner in LPGA history. They are tied for third at six under.

Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta., Montreal’s Lisa Meldrum and Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane were the only Canadians to make the cut.  White shot four-under-par 68 on Friday to move into a tie for 24th at one over for the tournament.

Meldrum shot a two under 70 to finish the day in a tie for 43rd, while Kane goes into the third round tied for 59th at four over.

Seventy-three players made the four-over cut.

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