Wi, not Wie, tops field after first 18 at Honda

Charlie Wi was playing in the John Deere Classic two years ago when some fans recognized him.

That is, they thought they recognized him.

"My caddie overheard one of the spectators saying, 'Oh, that's Michelle Wie's dad. He got a sponsor invite, too,"' said Wi, who -- like Wie -- missed the cut at the John Deere in July 2005. "I thought that was hilarious."

If Wi continues to play the way he did Thursday, more people will know who he really is.

Bolstered by a birdie-birdie finish, Wi shot a 5-under 65 in windy conditions at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., giving him a one-shot lead over Bernhard Langer after one round of the Honda Classic. He missed only two fairways, connected on 17 of 20 putts inside 25 feet, and made a 40-footer for birdie at the par-4 13th.

"Today was definitely my day hitting the ball," said Wi, who has made only 14 cuts in 30 previous PGA Tour starts, but finished tied for ninth earlier this year at the Buick Invitational to make a career-best $130,000.

Marco Dawson, Robert Allenby, Joe Ogilvie and Cliff Kresge shot 67s on a day marked by 20 mph wind and even higher gusts.

John Daly found conditions especially tough, and that had nothing to do with the course.

Daly withdrew after suffering what was announced as a rib injury on the 12th tee, his third hole of the day. He tried to stop his swing when he heard a fan's camera clicking, tried to hit another tee ball, said he couldn't handle the pain and went off to seek treatment in the tour's medical trailer. He declined comment.

European tour

Brad Kennedy of Australia shot a 7-under 65 and held a one-shot lead over Mike Weir and three others after Thursday's first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket, Thaliland.

Stephen Gallacher, Peter Hanson and Graeme Storm joined Weir in second place after shooting 66s at the Blue Canyon Country Club. Retief Goosen, among the favorites, shot 4-under 68.

World No. 4 Adam Scott and No. 6 Ernie Els were well off the pace. Scott had five bogeys and finished the day at 2-over 74. Els had two double bogeys and three bogeys against six birdies for a 1-over 73.

-- From wire reports