Wie well placed after opening round

Michelle Wie braved the trying conditions during the suspended opening round of the ANA Inspiration on Thursday.

The American carded a four under 68 around a gusty Mission Hills Country Club to finished one behind clubhouse leader Karine Icher and tied for second with three others.

Wie rolled in five birdies and just had one blemish on her card, a bogey on the par four 16th, during a solid round.

“It felt good out there…I had fun,” said the former US Women’s Open winner after the round.

“I played steady. That is what you’ve got to do in weeks like this. Happy where I positioned myself today. It is a long time until Sunday, so hopefully I can keep playing steady, keep making birdies and keep moving up.”

Wie’s playing partner was 14-year-old Lucy Li, who earned her place her first major by winning the junior event.

“It was great….I’m really impressed with her round and how she played,” added Wie, who turned professional at the tender age of 15 in 2005.

“I’m really impressed with how she carried herself from hole 1. She must have been nervous today, but she carried herself really well and acted really mature beyond her years. She is a great player. I had a lot of fun playing with her.”

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