Golf Round-up for Thursday’s other events

Fields Open

KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Michelle Wie got off to a promising start in her first tournament round of the year, shooting a 3-under 69 to finish three strokes behind early leader Paula Creamer. Showing no signs of the wrist injuries that plagued her last year, Wie broke 70 for the first time since the Evian Ladies Masters in July 2006, a tournament where she tied for second and earned her largest LPGA Tour check. Creamer shot a 6-under 66, birdieing the last three holes for a 5-under 31 on the back nine. Annika Sorenstam, trying to complete a Hawaiian sweep after winning at Turtle Bay for her 70th LPGA Tour title, opened with a 70. The 18-year-old Wie looked relaxed and confident playing on her home island of Oahu in front of a familiar gallery that ballooned as she moved up the leaderboard. She demonstrated a solid short game and was still a little shaky off the tees.

Mayakoba Golf Classic

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — John Merrick holed a 50-foot putt on his final hole for a 6-under 64 and a one-stroke lead while course designer Greg Norman opened with a 70 at El Camaleon. The 53-year-old Norman dropped two strokes on the 16th hole when he needed three shots to escape a greenside bunker, then three-putted for a bogey on the next hole.

Moonah Classic

FINGAL, Australia — Ewan Porter shot a 5-under 67 in windy conditions to take a one-stroke lead over Fran Quinn. Argentina’s Fabian Gomez and American Chris Kirk opened with 69s in the event sanctioned by the Nationwide and Australasian tours.

Associated Press