Westlake's Wi in hunt at PGA

This was the lead to The Detroit News' PGA Championship notebook for Saturday's paper ...

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Charlie Wi chuckled when he was asked how many different tour cards he's had over the years.

"You name it," said the former Westlake High star, who resides in North Hills. "European Tour, Japanese Tour, Asian Tour, PGA Tour."

Add the Nationwide Tour and you have Wi's entire journey since turning pro in 1995. But here he is, at 36, playing in his first major and playing well.

"It's only the second round," Wi said modestly after shooting par 70 for the second straight day at Oakland Hills. "But it's always nice to be in the front rather than trying to chase from behind. Yeah, I enjoy my position here. I have been playing well the past few weeks, so I am excited about the weekend."

Wi, 81st on the PGA Tour money list and 163rd in the world rankings, had the best finish of his PGA Tour career a few weeks back at the John Deere Classic, tying for fourth.

"It's just about getting experience," he said. "Just growing and becoming a better player."

Wi has hit 19 of 28 fairways through the first two rounds and 21 of 36 greens. But just because he's managed to hold his own against The Monster doesn't mean he's enjoying the fight.

"When I got here Tuesday I called home and I said, 'This is the hardest golf course I've ever played,' " he said. "If I were to play here every day, I don't know if I would enjoy it."