Wie survives stormy start at Bulle Rock

HAVRE DE GRACE, Maryland, June 8 (Reuters) Michelle Wie, whose spat with Annika Sorenstam dominated the build-up to this week's LPGA Championship, overcame a poor start to shoot a one-over-par 73 in yesterday's opening round.

The 17-year-old Hawaiian, four over after just six holes, reeled off three birdies around the turn before ending a benign day at the Bulle Rock Golf Course six strokes off the pace.

''I actually hit some really good shots, I built a lot of confidence off of them,'' Wie told reporters.

''But it's a work-in-progress and it's definitely not where I want it to be still.

''I'm definitely not 100 percent right now and I'm just going to work on it, and hopefully tomorrow is going to be better than today.'' Wie ruffled the feathers of several LPGA Tour members by withdrawing from the first round of last week's Ginn Tribute, citing a wrist injury, only to practise at Bulle Rock two days later.

Sorenstam, tournament host last week, was particularly upset and described the young American's decision as showing ''a lack of respect and class''.

Adding intrigue to Wie's withdrawal was an LPGA rule that any non-member who shoots 88 or worse in a round is barred from the tour for the rest of the season.

Wie was two bogeys away from that ignominious score when she pulled out.

''I don't think about 88,'' she said. ''I mean, that's just ridiculous.'' RULES INTERPRETATIONS LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens met with Wie's father, B.J., and her agent, Greg Nared, earlier this week to discuss ''interpretations of rules and regulations'' which arose at the Ginn Tribute.

Although not prepared to reveal details of that conversation, Bivens supported Sorenstam's reaction.

''I think that leaving the tournament and coming to practise when one had pulled out with a wrist injury was not very respectful, and that's what Annika and what some of the other members are responding to,'' she said yesterday.

''Every person who tees it up on the LPGA signs a registration form that says they are bound by the rules and regulations of the LPGA. It implies uniformly and it applies across the board.'' Asked if the rules and regulations for non-members of the LPGA needed to be changed, Bivens replied: ''We are in very early conversations about what we might do to look at the rules and regulations that govern non-members.

''There are definitely, shall I say, some holes and improvements I think we can make.'' Bivens added that an allowance should be made for Wie's tender age.

''I can't imagine being 16 and 17 in the spotlight that she's in right now,'' she said.

''I think that those who are advising her, I have to hope are keeping her best interests and her long-term interests in mind.'' REUTERS AKD DS1242