Ochoa Tied for Lead; Wie, Sorenstam 3 Behind

Michelle Wie knows it’s tough keeping up with the best men in the game.

In the French Alps on Wednesday, she learned beating golf’s top female money winner this season -- Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa -- won’t be much easier.

Ochoa, Mi Hyun Kim and Shani Waugh shot six-under-par 66 to lead the Evian Masters, where temperatures reached an unseasonable 91 degrees.

Karrie Webb was one shot behind after a 67, with Maria Hjorth, Laura Davies and Se Ri Pak in at 68. Wie had a 69, tied with Annika Sorenstam.

In the steamy conditions, players sought shade and liquids to avoid Wie’s fate at the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., earlier this month, where she was forced out of the tournament in the second round because of heat exhaustion.

“I was smart today,” Wie said. “I drank a lot of water with electrolytes. I stayed in the shade. I had my sun umbrella. It helped a lot. I’m just taking baby steps.”