Michelle Wie makes a move

Reporting from Carlsbad — 

Michelle Wie has been in contention in LPGA tournaments before, but this time it has a bit of a different feel.

Wie, who shot five-under-par 67 in the second round of the Kia Classic on Friday at La Costa Resort and Spa, is in contention as a tour winner.

Her two-day total of five-under 139 has her in a tie for third, two shots behind leader Hee Kyung Seo, and within striking distance of a victory heading into the weekend for the first time since she posted her first LPGA Tour victory in November.

“It’s kind of a little bit of a confidence factor,” she said. “I know I’ve done it before so maybe I can do it again.”

Wie’s 67 tied Seo and Jee Young Lee for low round of the day and helped erase the memories of 32 putts during a first-round 72. She needed only 25 putts in the second round as she made six birdies and one bogey. She also holed a 15-foot chip from just off the green at the 15th to save a par.

“I think the big key was the irons,” Wie said. “I guess the putting was a little bit too. I haven’t played for about three weeks …so I was a little bit rusty. Today was better.”

Seo, an 11-time winner on the Korean LPGA Tour who is playing on a sponsor exemption, has a one-stroke lead over fellow South Korean In-Kyung Kim. Tied with Wie in third are Koreans Seon Hwa Lee, Song-Hee Kim and rising American star Vicky Hurst.

The biggest competition figures to come from In-Kyung Kim, a two-time tour winner who calls this her home course. Kim, 21, who lives in nearby Rancho Santa Fe, shot four-under 32 on her back nine and posted a second consecutive 69.

Seo, 23, the leader, also will be formidable. She’s known as “The Supermodel of the Fairways” in her home country because of her good looks and stylish appearance but has shown she’s more than just a pretty face.

Last season she won three of four Korean LPGA majors and was the leading money winner. Now she’s trying to establish herself among the world’s best.

“Every tournament my goal is to win,” she said.

Japan’s Ai Miyazato, seeking to become the first player to start an LPGA season with three consecutive victories, shot 72 Friday and is tied for 37th at two over par. First-round leader Na On Min shot 74 in the second round and dropped into a tie for seventh at four under.

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