Sorenstam leads, Wie 6 shots back

Michelle Wie admitted her heart was thumping when she stood over the first shot, but the 16-year-old was satisfied by the time she completed her first round as a professional, scoring a two-under-par 70 at the Women's World Championship at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, California.

While defending champion Annika Sorenstam, seeking a record fifth win in the Championship, had a flawless eight under par 64 to lead by a shot from American Cristie Kerr and South Korea's Gloria Park, Wie was tied for 12th at six shots behind.

"I think I did pretty well," said the Hawaiian teenager who signed endorsement deals reputedly worth $10 million when she turned professional last week.

"But I also think I can do better and that will hopefully happen the rest of the week.

"I wasn't nervous before I started, but then when I teed up the ball on the first hole my heart was thumping. It's pretty fun getting butterflies, and I was just pleased I hit a good shot."

In fact, the three-wood opening blow led to regulation par four at the 405-yard first -- the 20-foot birdie putt just slipped by -- and she went on to make her first birdie as a professional at the second, hitting a pitching wedge second shot to two feet.

More birdies followed at the seventh, tenth and 12th before she made her first bogey at the 14th and then another at the 18th where she hit into two bunkers to shed another shot at the 18th.

"I didn't really feel any different than when I played as an amateur," continued Wie, who was playing in her 25th LPGA tournament and with a resume that includes four top tens in majors.

"I wasn't thinking about the money, but it will be nice to get a cheque on Sunday."

Sorenstam might have been overshadowed by the hype surrounding Wie, but she gave everyone a master-class performance with a flawless eight-birdie round.

She started the round by holing from ten feet for birdie -- it just toppled in the side -- and added more at the fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth to be out in 31.

The 12th, 14th and 15th surrendered birdies on the back nine and she had a real chance to make another at the last, her six-foot putt just lipping the hole.

Asked if Wie's presence made her feel she had a point to prove, the long-time world No.1, who is set to become the only woman to win $2 million for a fifth straight year, responded: "No, I don't think I have anything to prove. I know where I am on the money list and what I have achieved.

"But I wish Michelle well. It's exciting that she's now turned professional and I think she will be able to handle it."

Kerr, who played with Wie, birdied the last for a flawless seven-birdie round. "The applause was greater for Michelle than it was for me," she said. "But that was what I expected."

64 Annika Sorenstam (Swe)

65 Gloria Park (Kor), Cristie Kerr

66 Paula Creamer, Lorie Kane (Can)

67 Grace Park (Kor), Natalie Gulbis

68 Rosie Jones, Marisa Baena

69 Jeong Jang (Kor), Meena Lee (Kor)

70 Catriona Matthew (Sco), Sophie Gustafson (Swe), Candie Kung (Tai)

Pat Hurst, Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa (Mex)

72 Birdie Kim (Kor), Heather Bowie

74 Wendy Ward

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