Havre de Grace, MD (Sports Network) - Kim Saiki-Maloney, Angela Park and Birdie Kim each shot five-under 67 Thursday to share the first-round lead at the McDonald's LPGA Championship.Karrie Webb, Morgan Pressel, Stacy Prammanasudh and Laura Davies were a shot further back at four-under 68.
However, the focus on the second women's major of the season was elsewhere.
Michelle Wie missed a five-foot par putt on her third hole, the par-three 12th, and remained above par the rest of her round, getting as high as four- over after a double-bogey at the 15th.
She recovered to shoot a one-over 73.
The woman who was critical of her withdrawal from last week's Ginn Tribute fared better.
Annika Sorenstam opened with a two-under 70 at Bulle Rock while controversy brewed concerning comments she made about Wie on Wednesday. Sorenstam said the 17-year-old star showed a lack of "respect and class" by withdrawing from the tournament last Thursday with a wrist injury, only to show up two days later to practice for the LPGA Championship.
However, the focus on the second women's major of the season was elsewhere.
Michelle Wie missed a five-foot par putt on her third hole, the par-three 12th, and remained above par the rest of her round, getting as high as four- over after a double-bogey at the 15th.
She recovered to shoot a one-over 73.
The woman who was critical of her withdrawal from last week's Ginn Tribute fared better.
Annika Sorenstam opened with a two-under 70 at Bulle Rock while controversy brewed concerning comments she made about Wie on Wednesday. Sorenstam said the 17-year-old star showed a lack of "respect and class" by withdrawing from the tournament last Thursday with a wrist injury, only to show up two days later to practice for the LPGA Championship.