ISLE FILE
Wie will play in LPGA's Safeway
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Michelle Wie accepted a sponsor's exemption yesterday to play in the LPGA's Safeway Classic next month in Portland, Ore.
The 17-year-old from Hawai'i is continuing her course of playing as many as eight LPGA events, the most allowed to be non-member by the tour. The Safeway Classic, Aug. 24 to 26, would be her seventh event, with her final tournament expected to be the Samsung World Championship at Bighorn in October.
Wie has been hampered this year by wrist injuries, but is looking forward to returning to the Columbia-Edgewater Country Club.
"It's been a few years since I've played at the Safeway Classic, and I'm excited to be coming back," said Wie, who tied for 28th as a 13-year-old in the 2003 tournament. "Right now, I'm working on getting back to top form, and I'm hoping I will be all the way back by the time I come to Portland."
Meanwhile, Wie's focus is on tomorrow's start of the Evian Masters in Evian-Les-Baines, France. There, she will be paired in the first round with her most vocal critic: Morgan Pressel.
Pressel, who signed with Kapalua last week to be the resort's official LPGA touring pro, has been an outspoken critic of Wie, often questioning why she receives so many exemptions.
Wie, whose career is in freefall after poor performances, has not shot under par in 23 consecutive rounds.
Ironically, Wie last broke par in the final round of last year's Evian when she shot 68.
So far this year, Wie missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii, withdrew after being 14-over through 16 holes at the Ginn Tribute, finished last by 10 shots in the LPGA Championship and withdrew in the second round of the U.S. Women's Open.
MORE GOLF
FINK FINISHES 10TH IN CALIFORNIA EVENT
Kailua's David Fink shot a 9-over 81 yesterday and finished tied for 10th at the Toyota Tour Cup Series junior event at Santa Ana (Calif.) Country Club.
Fink, who was the first-round leader after a 69, finished at 6-over 150. Jonathan Noori of Tarzana, Calif., shot a 71 for a 144 and a one-stroke victory.
CHOW OPENS WITH 73 TO TIE FOR ALL-STAR LEAD
Marissa Chow of Honolulu shot a 1-over 73 yesterday and was tied for the girls lead with Kendal Martindale of Jefferson City, Tenn., after the first round of the Junior All-Star at Grand National in Opelika, Ala.
Paul Shoji of Honolulu shot a 3-over 75 and was tied for 21st in the boys division, five strokes behind leader Tyler Smith of Brentwood, Tenn.
LIFEGUARDING
JUNIORS WILL COMPETE FOR TITLE AT ALA MOANA
More than 150 teenagers are expected to compete in the O'ahu Junior Lifeguard Championships Saturday at Ala Moana Beach Park.
The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., features a 1,000-meter beach run, beach flags, run-swim-run, paddleboard relay and 200-meter swim.
The Junior Lifeguard program is run by the city's Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division with support from the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association.
The competition will be at the 'ewa end of the park.
The State Junior Lifeguard Championships are Saturday at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island.
