RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Honolulu's Michelle Wie shot a 2-under 70 to begin the LPGA sectional qualifying tournament yesterday, then declined to talk to reporters about the round that put her in solid position in the 164-player field.

The 18-year-old Wie made her debut in the qualifying process with five birdies and three bogeys on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club, where she has finished in the top 10 in three of her four starts in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Despite the strong start in the 72-hole qualifying event, Wie emerged from the scoring room and informed her agent that she wouldn't do any interviews until Friday's final round. She later refused to talk to reporters as she went to the putting green for practice.

Wie's 70 put her four shots behind Sun-Ju Ahn of South Korea.

Baldwin High alum Shayna Miyajima is tied for 12th after shooting 37-34—71.

Two other Hawai'i golfers are tied for 98th. Baldwin High graduate Kelly Nakashima shot 37-40—77, and Bridget Keala Dwyer, a Punahou School alum, shot 38-39—77.