Evian-Les Bains, France (AHN) - The second round of the Evian Masters on Friday brought a first on the women's LPGA tour this year - an under-par round by Michelle Wie.

Wie shot a 1-under 71 in the second round to break par for the first time since last year's final round at the very same tournament.

"I'm very happy," Wie said. "That's my first round under par this year. It's a bit of a breakthrough.

Wie, 17, had gone 24 consecutive rounds without breaking par, but is now just off the fringe of being in real contention heading into the third round Saturday.

"I had one stupid hole - the seventh - where I had a double bogey, but it was a very positive round. I just need to hole more putts," she said.

American, Diana D'Alessio of the United States and South Korean, Jin Joo Hong, are tied for the lead at 7-under par, 137, three strokes ahead of Annika Sorenstam, Jeong Jang and Brittany Lincicome.

Hong had four birdies and two bogeys in her round of 70 while D'Alessio recorded no bogies en route to a round of 68.

"I played pretty solidly and hit the ball well," said D'Alessio, who birdied the first, fifth, 11th and 15th holes in what is her first Evian tournament.

"I missed from four feet at the last because I hit the putt through the break. The greens are quite tricky," she said.

Hong said she is looking forward to playing the tournament's final two rounds.

"I want to make it right. I want to play on the weekend really, really well," she said.

Veteran LPGA player, Juli Inkster of the United States, who won the event in 2003, was on fire through the first seven holes, recording five birdies en route to a 68 that left her just four shots off the lead along with another American veteran, Laura Davies, who won the tournament in 1995 and 1996.

Japan's Momoko Ueda made seven birdies in the best score of the day, 67.

Defending champ, Karie Webb, is five shots back at 142 after a par-72 Friday.