Lorena Ochoa leads first round - Fields Open in Hawaii 2006

Teenager Michelle Wie got off to a quick start on Thursday, opening with a birdie en route to a five-under 67 that put her three shots behind Mexico's Lorena Ochoa at the LPGA Fields Open.

"That's always my biggest problem, not really starting off on the right foot," Wie said. "Today I feel very proud that I actually started well."

Her opening birdie wasn't without incident, however, as the Hawaiian high school student sought advice from a rules official after her ball landed on a cart path.

The 16-year-old admitted the incident brought back memories of her pro debut last October, when she was disqualified after finishing fourth the Samsung World Championship.

"Definitely that was in the back of my mind," said Wie, who had taken an incorrect drop in the third round at the Samsung and disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard when the infraction came to light.

"I didn't want to pick up the ball without asking first. It was like, 'Can I pick up the ball?' I was asking him, and I felt more comfortable."

Playing in her second LPGA event since turning pro, Wie found herself within striking distance of Ochoa, who fired a 64 for a one-shot lead over Wendy Ward and South Korea's Seon Hwa Lee.

Britain's Karren Stupples was lying fourth after a first-round 66.

Ochoa, who won once and finished second four times last year, is off to a quick start this season. She followed her lone bogey at No. 12 with an eagle, then birdied four of her last five holes.

But most of the fans turned out for a glimpse of Wie, and she admitted to being a bit nervous before the 10-footer for birdie at the first settled her down.

"That wasn't really the shortest putt, and making the first putt (from) about 10 feet, then it really kind of boosted my confidence," she said.

Wie followed her lone bogey at the par-five fifth with consecutive birdies and added three more, including an outstanding play out of a bunker on the par-five 14th. After hitting her five-iron approach into the bunker, she blasted out within two feet of the cup and tapped in.

"I hit a good shot from the bunker. I was very proud of myself," Wie said. "I work a lot on my bunker shots and I think it showed."

Wie was tied for fifth with nine players, including 17-year-old pro Morgan Pressel, who unlike Wie is a fulltime member of the LPGA Tour.

Pressel, who tied for fifth at last week's SBS Open, eagled the fifth hole.