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NORTH PLAINS, Ore. – Though Michelle Wie made the cut in her U.S. Women’s Open debut, she also wound up making at least one enemy.

U.S. Golf Association officials confirmed Friday that Danielle Ammaccapane, one of Wie’s playing partners, berated the 13-year-old sensation in the scoring tent following Thursday’s opening round.

Wie’s father also alleged Ammaccapane bumped the youngster on the 14th green during the round.

“It was very unprofessional,” said B.J. Wie, who caddies for his daughter and said he also was accosted by Ammaccapane’s caddie at one point during the round.

The exchanges prompted the elder Wie to file a complaint with USGA officials, requesting that Ammaccapane speak to the youngster during Friday’s round only through rules officials.

“Michelle is young. She’s 13 years old,” B.J. Wie said. “Danielle is something like 40, so Michelle is like a daughter. How can she treat a little girl like that?”

Ammaccapane, 37, a 16-year LPGA veteran, refused comment when approached by reporters at the clubhouse entrance.

No further incidents were reported Friday. One rules official told USGA spokesman Marty Parkes the atmosphere was “frosty but correct.”

Ammaccapane got a visit after Friday’s round from Kendra Graham, the USGA’s chief of women’s competition. Parkes said the USGA doesn’t have the capacity to fine competitors for misconduct, though it can refuse a player’s application in subsequent years.

The flap cast a shadow over Wie’s performance, when she flirted with the cut line before playing the back nine in 2-under par to post her second straight 2-under 73.

“When I was something like 6-over I thought I was going to miss the cut,” she told reporters. “I thought to myself, just make three birdies and you’re good. I made two.”

Later, away from the TV microphones, Wie confirmed the dustup with Ammaccapane.

“I guess when someone’s not very nice to you, it bothers you,” she said. “But I got over it real fast.”

Friction apparently began rising five holes into the round, when Ammaccapane claimed Wie walked in her line as she prepared to putt. B.J. Wie said Ammaccapane either bumped or brushed his daughter on the green.

Later, the elder Wie said he was drying his hands on a towel when he was grabbed by Dan Wilson, Ammaccapane’s caddie. “Don’t move,” he said Wilson told him.

“They play golf for a living,” B.J. Wie said. “We don’t know the tiny things. We are still learning.”

Pressel shoots 78

Morgan Pressel slapped her thigh when her birdie putt at the first hole ran 7 feet past the green. By the time she finished a 78, the frustration had turned into tears.

“I just played awful,” the Boca Raton, Fla., teen said. “I couldn’t hit the ball; I couldn’t putt.”

Even the fact that she had made the cut in her second try did little to console her in the moments after signing her card.



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AP-NY-07-04-03 2220EDT

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