Wie stays close at Evian Masters

Michelle Wie’s biggest problem at the Evian Masters may be her own strength.

The 16-year-old from Hawaii is poised to make a serious run at her first victory as a professional, sitting just one shot behind leader Karrie Webb after shooting a 2-under 70 in the third round at Evian, France.

But if Wie is to win, she’ll likely have to improve her performance on the 17th hole – where she has struggled to control her tee shots all week.

“It’s like I became the Hulk on that hole or something,” Wie said.

She bogeyed the hole on Friday for the second time in the tournament, along with a par there in the second round.

Her tee shot on the 17th went 30 yards farther than she intended and into the rough. She then chipped out over the flag and onto the opposite edge of the green. She missed her putt by 6 inches, settling for bogey.

“There’s no reason that I should have gone that far,” she said. “I got a bad-lie second shot. The shot felt good when I hit it, but it just kept on going.

“It was just weird but tomorrow I’ll get it. I’m not going to leave this tournament until I’ve birdied it.”

Wie is at 11-under 204 for the tournament. Webb (69) dropped a total of three shots on the 12th and 13th holes, but compensated with six birdies and is at 12-under 204.

Laura Davies and Se Ri Pak are tied for third at 10 under.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a 69 and is at 1-under 214.

PGA Tour

In Milwaukee, Corey Pavin’s record-setting performance kept him in the lead at 9 under after the rain-delayed first round of the U.S. Bank Championship.

Pavin shot a 9-under 61 after making the turn with a nine-hole PGA Tour-record 26. He birdied eight of the first nine holes on the par-34 front side of the Brown Deer Park Golf Course.

Seniors

At Turnberry, Scotland, Eduardo Romero eagled and birdied his final two holes for a 7-under 63 and shared the lead with Loren Roberts at the halfway point of the Senior British Open.

The joint leaders are one ahead of Craig Stadler, who shot 66, with David Edwards at 8 under after a 65.

Defending champion Tom Watson started the day 13 shots behind the leader, but shot a 67 to easily make the cut at even par.