Wie, Sorenstam struggle at Evian Masters tourney

Michelle Wie and Annika Sorenstam struggled Wednesday in the opening round of the Evian Masters at Evian, France.

Wie, a 15-year-old amateur from Hawaii, shot a 3-over 75 – nine strokes off the lead – and said she had “bad breaks everywhere.” Sorenstam, winner of two majors this year, shot an even-par 72.

Lynette Brooky of New Zealand, Colombia’s Marisa Baena and Sweden’s Carin Koch were tied for the lead at 6-under 66. Paula Creamer, Becky Brewerton and Christina Kim were two strokes back.

Defending champion Wendy Doolan shot a 43 on the back nine and finished with an 80.

Wie, who reached the quarters last week in the men’s U.S. Amateur Public Links, hit only two fairways Wednesday. She had only two birdies, with the second coming at the 18th when she chipped to 8 feet.

Earlier, Wie dropped two shots at the fourth hole when her drive sailed into the woods. She had three other bogeys.

“It wasn’t like I played bad,” Wie said. “I was just a foot from being perfect all day. I had a lot of birdie chances, but these greens are real subtle and tricky. It’s not what you see; it’s what you know.”

Wie will play the Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale, England, next week before returning to high school.

Sorenstam, winner of nine career majors, drove out of bounds on the par-5 15th and took a double-bogey.

The Swede recovered with a sand wedge that landed within a foot of the flag on the 16th, and sent another to within 2 feet on the 17th. Sorenstam then bogeyed the par-5 18th when she hit her 7-wood into the water hazard in front of the green.

Baena, who won the Women’s World Match Play Championship earlier this month, only missed the green once and had six birdies.

Koch also had six birdies in a bogey-free round, while Brooky had eight birdies and two bogeys.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot 3-over 75.

U.S. Girls Junior Amateur

Gonzaga Prep senior Annie Brophy was eliminated in the round of 32 during match play at the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur tournament at Eagle, Idaho.

Brophy, seeded 62nd, pulled off a major upset in the morning round of 64, beating third-seeded Esther Choe of Scottsdale, Ariz., 4 and 2.

However, in the afternoon, Kimberly Kim of Hilo, Hawaii, the 30th seed, eliminated Brophy 4 and 2.

U.S. Junior Amateur

Arnold Palmer’s 17-year-old grandson, Sam Saunders, and defending champion Sihwan Kim won their opening matches to advance at the U.S. Junior Amateur at Longmeadow, Mass.

Saunders, of Windemere, Fla., was 4 under through 13 holes and beat Benjamin Blundell of Rowlett, Texas, 6 and 5. Saunders will face Kevin Tway, the son of PGA Tour player Bob Tway, in today’s second round at Longmeadow Country Club.

Kim, of Fullerton, Calif., made par on the first playoff hole to beat Jacob Low of Hilo, Hawaii. Low missed a 3-foot par putt to end the match.