Wie Maintains Three-Stroke Lead at 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open

Winnipeg (Golf Canada) - Michelle Wie broke 70 for the second consecutive day Friday, adding a 3-under-par 69 to Thursday's 7-under-par 65 and take a three shot lead into weekend action at the 2010 CN Canadian Women's Open in Winnipeg.

Wie got off to a shaky start, bogeying St. Charles Country Club's 11th hole, her second hole of the day, and the same par 3 she aced during Thursday's opening-round. She would recover quickly, making birdies on holes 13 and 15, before making the turn and birdying holes 5 and 6.

"You end every round thinking it could have been better," said Wie following her morning round. "There's a shot here and there, but I went out there and I tried my hardest.  I gave it my all. I'm happy with my round today and hopefully tomorrow I can make a lot more birdies."

The 20-year old is enjoying more than just her play in Winnipeg.

"The crowds are phenomenal," added Wie. "They're very supportive and very respectful of the game. It's really great that they're all out there, and I feel really grateful that they are."

Wie is leading after the second round for the fourth time at an LPGA Tour event. Her previous 36-hole leads include the 2010 Tres Marias Championship (finished third), 2009 SBS Open at Turtle Bay (second) and the 2006 Evian Masters (tied for second).

Despite hitting just 10 of 28 fairways through two rounds, Wie has hit 30 of 36 greens in regulation.

Three back of the lead is Jiyai Shin who shot a 5-under par 67 today. The South Korean sits alone in second at 7-under par.

Wie and Shin are followed closely by defending champion Suzann Pettersen and the youngest major championship winner in LPGA history, Morgan Pressel. The pair are tied for third at 6-under par.

Adrienne White, Lisa Meldrum and Lorie Kane were the only Canadians to make the cut.  White shot 4-under-par 68 on Friday to move into a tie for 24th at 1-over-par. Meldrum shot a 2-under par 70 today to finish the day in a tie for 43rd, while Kane goes into the third round tied for 59th at 4-over par.

Seventy-three players survived Friday's cut which was made at 4-over par.

BIRDIES AT THE 18TH HOLE MEAN MORE THIS WEEK THANKS TO CN MIRACLE MATCH
For every birdie made on 18 during championship play, CN will make an additional contribution to the CN Miracle Match.  With 15 birdies made through two rounds at $500 a piece, an additional $7,500 will be contributed to the CN Miracle Match.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SECOND-ROUND CANADIAN SCORES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 2010:

Adrienne White - 77-68-145, +1
Lisa Meldrum - 77-70-147, +3
Lorie Kane - 75-73-148, +4
--- MISSED CUT ---
Samantha Richdale - 77-72-149, +5
Kirby Dreher - 78-72-150, +6
(a) Sara-Maude Juneau - 77-74-151, +7
(a) Jennifer Kirby - 78-74-152, +8
Sue Kim - 74-79-153, +9
Jessica Shepley - 76-77-153, +9
Stephanie Sherlock - 80-74-154, +10
Alena Sharp - 76-79-155, +11
Seema Sadekar - 73-83-156, +12
(a) Rebecca Lee-Bentham - 75-82-157, +13
(a) Christine Wong - 84-81-165, +21