Wie gathers moss, is slowed in Women’s British Open

Michelle Wie walked off the course at Royal Lytham pleased with her par saves on the final two holes.

Then she got to the recorders’ office and realized her effort was all for naught.

Wie was penalized two strokes for making contact with a piece of moss behind her ball during her backswing while hitting out of a greenside bunker at the 14th. That left her with a 2-over-par 74 Friday and a two-day total of 4-over 148 at the Women’s British Open – 10 shots behind leader Juli Inkster.

“There was a piece of moss right behind my ball,” she said. “I knew I hit it, but I didn’t think it would result in a penalty of two strokes. I thought if you hit dirt it would be OK, but I guess I knew the rule wrong.

“It’s not good after you play you find out you add two more shots in the end. The par saves I made on 17 and 18 feel as though they count for nothing in the end.”

Inkster had an even-par 72, leaving her at 6-under 138, three shots better than Silvia Cavalleri of Italy. Inkster is seeking her eighth major and, if she can hold on, the 46-year-old would become the oldest golfer to win an LPGA Tour major.

“I’m very happy with the way I played today, the way I got it in, the way I got myself around this golf course,” Inkster said. “Tomorrow, if I drive the ball a little better on the par 5s, I’ll feel pretty good.

“Sometimes in majors you really have to grind it out and today was one of those days, so I’m very happy with what I shot.”

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., was at 145 after a 74. Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, shot a 77, finished at 151 and made the cut.

PGA Buick Open

Tiger Woods birdied three straight holes to take the lead in the suspended second round of the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Mich., then Brett Quigley birdied the 18th hole after the horn sounded to move into a tie.

Woods, 13 under for the tournament, was 7 under through 15 holes in the second round before play was stopped because of darkness. He will finish his round early this morning and will start his third round in the afternoon after a long break.

Quigley saved himself an early wakeup call by finishing his last hole for a 6-under 66, and will have an afternoon tee time.

Champions Tour

Andy Bean birdied three of his final four holes for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over six players after the first round of the Champions Tour’s 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn.