Michelle Wie surges into contention at Kraft Nabisco Championship

Michelle Wie fired a five-under 67 to finish one shot behind first-round leader Shanshan Feng of China at the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship on Thursday.

Se Ri Pak of South Korea also shot a 67 to tie with Wie for second place behind Feng, who earlier in the day shot a six-under 66 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

The Kraft Nabisco Championship is the first of the LPGA’s five major tournaments of the season.

After making a birdie at the second hole, Wie, 24, caught fire with birdies at the ninth and 10th holes, an eagle at the par-five 11th and another birdie at the 12th to reach six under par.

The former teenage phenom then had to scramble to save par on four consecutive holes before making bogey at the par-three 17th hole when she missed a three-foot putt to save par.

“I’ll take 67 here,” Wie said. “I just felt comfortable out there today. I’ve been having a lot of fun.”

Wie, who was competing in the Kraft Nabisco Championship a decade ago as an amateur, has won two tournaments on the LPGA Tour, the most recent in 2010. She has never won an LPGA major event.

Amy Yang, also of South Korea, and 15-year-old amateur Angel Yin of Arcadia were tied for third after both shot four-under 68s.

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