Wie in position for first LPGA win

KAHUKU, Hawaii – Michelle Wie put herself into contention for her first LPGA Tour victory, shooting a 2-under 70 on Friday to claim a share of the lead entering the final round of the season-opening SBS Open.

Making her debut as an LPGA card-carrying member, Wie used a three-birdie run to surge to the top of the leaderboard with a two-round total of 8-under 136, level with fellow American Angela Stanford (71) heading into Saturday’s final round.

Filipina Jennifer Rosales fired a 77 and barely made the cut at 150, but Fil-Am Dorothy Delasin, who scored 77 in the first round, tumbled with an 80 and was out with a 157.

“It feels good,” Wie said of being in contention again. She will be in the final group for the first time since the 2006 Evian Ladies Masters, where she tied for second and picked up her biggest tour paycheck of her career.

Wie said she couldn’t remember the last time she led going into the final day. It was at the 2006 US Women’s Open where she eventually finished equal third, two strokes out of the playoff.

She hasn’t hoisted a trophy since claiming the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships at age 13 to become the youngest USGA champion in history.

“I just don’t want to get that ingrained in my head just yet,” she said. “I feel like everyone has been asking me that, and there’s still a day left. I just want to do the same thing and play as hard as I can. (AP)