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GLADSTONE, N.J. >> Honolulu’s Michelle Wie won her opening match today at the $1.5 million Sybase Match Play Championship 4 and 3 over Beatriz Recari of Spain.
The No. 9-seeded Wie was up one hole at the turn and closed out the match with a birdie and two pars at Nos. 13 through 15. The No. 38 seed Recari won only two holes for the day.
Fellow American and No. 3 seed Cristie Kerr advanced to the second round as well. The two-time major winner on the LPGA Tour won four of the first five holes in beating Amanda Blumenherst 3 and 2.
Amanda Stanford, last year’s runner-up in this event, got off to a good start at the Hamilton Farm Golf Club with a 4-and-2 win over Candie Kung.
No. 6 seed Ai Miyazato of Japan rallied from two down with five holes to play and defeated Hee Young Park with a birdie on the 21st hole.
No. 10 seed Paula Creamer was a 5-and-4 winner over Aree Song of South Korea. She will meet No. 23 seed Karrie Webb in the second round. Webb beat fellow Australian Sarah Kemp 3 and 2.
In the biggest upset of the day, No. 2 seed Jiyai Shin was beaten by fellow South Korean and No. 33 seed Meena Lee, 2 up. No. 15 Brittany Lincicome also was beaten, losing 5 and 3 to No. 46 Wendy Ward in a match involving American women.
Wie faces No. 20 seed Anna Nordqvist, a 4-and-3 winner over Haeji Kang, in tomorrow’s second round.
