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Wie well off the pace at Brit Open

03/08/2006

Youngster Michelle Wie looks no closer to collecting the first win of her fledgling career as she finds herself eight shots adrift of leader Juli Inkster after the first round of the Women's British Open at Lytham & St Annes.

Much has been expected of the 16-year-old since she abandoned her amateur status a year ago amid a blaze of hype and the American was among the favourites once again going into this tournament.

She was upstaged by a player from the other end of the age range however as 46-year-old Inkster established a clear three-shot lead over the rest of the field with a superb 66.

If she can hang onto that lead Inkster will pass two notable landmarks; becoming the oldest woman to pick up a major and securing the only one that still evades her.

"But there are still three rounds to play. I shot 66 today and someone else can do that tomorrow," she cautioned.

While Wie admitted that her inability to translate her long-hitting game into low scores has been partly due to a lack of experience.

"You think you know links golf, but I guess you don't," she said.

"It was also a little weird because my mind set was on hitting low shots in strong winds. But I really should have adapted a little quicker," she added.

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