Wie stands six shots behind three leaders

After a tumultuous week of criticism that put Michelle Wie under pressure, the 17-year-old from Hawaii recovered from a sloppy start with three birdies in a four-hole stretch and a couple of key pars late in her round of one-over 73 Thursday, leaving her six shots behind the leaders in the LPGA Championship at Havre De Grace, Md.

“I built a lot of confidence over this round,” said Wie, whose handlers limited her to five questions. “It’s a work in progress, and hopefully it’s going to get better and better.”

Former U.S. Women’s Open champion Birdie Kim shot a five-under 67, leaving her atop the leaderboard with rookie Angela Park and Kim Saiki-Maloney.

Se Ri Pak shot 73. The defending champion officially logged her 10th tournament of the year, marking her 10th season on the LPGA Tour, and that was all she needed to be eligible for the Hall of Fame.

At 29, Pak will be the youngest member when she’s inducted in November.

Morgan Pressel got off to a good start with a 68, joining seven-time major champion Karrie Webb and Laura Davies. Annika Sorenstam, in her second tournament since neck and back problems forced her out of competition for two months, opened with a 70.

But the focus was on Wie, who withdrew after 16 holes last week at the Ginn Tribute citing a wrist injury, but showed up at Bulle Rock two days later to hit balls. She was criticized by Sorenstam and LPGA Tour Commissioner Carolyn Bivens.

*

With only seven players breaking par in gusty conditions, Adam Scott survived a rough start to shoot a three-under 67 for a share of the lead with Fredrik Jacobson in the opening round of the Stanford St. Jude Championship at Memphis, Tenn.

Retief Goosen and Brian Gay opened with 68s, and Scott Verplank, Gavin Coles and Duffy Waldorf shot 69s.