ZealousGolfer.com

While the world's best golfers are in Ohio this week battling for the Bridgestone Invitational title, the PGA Tour's grinders are going low in Nevada. Indeed, as one of the minor events that occur during World Golf Championship weeks, the Rena Tahoe Open is not known for attracting great talent.

However, the tournament has made headlines this week for a number of reasons surrounding the sponsor's exemption given to teenage golfer Michelle Wie (pictured left). Sure, Wie was criticized by women's golf giant Annika Sorenstam (pictured right) for choosing to miss a women's major to play in a men's event that she would, in all likelihood, underperform in. However, Wie's one over par performance on Thursday left fans and enemies in disbelief as the young golfer was legitimately poised to finish near the cut line in a tie for 77th after 18 holes.

Unfortunately, Wie finished her Thursday 73 with a painful eight over par score of 80 to place Wie nowhere near the cut line.

On the other end of the spectrum, Parker McLachlin has seized first place with an impressive 10 under par 62. McLachlin is four strokes ahead of Nick Flanagan and John Merrick, tied at second.