LEBANON, Ohio - Will Claxton knows he'll get some ribbing from his friends before he takes on 15-year-old Michelle Wie in the first round of match play at the men's Amateur Public Links.

He's OK with all the don't-lose-to-a-girl warnings.

"I'm sure I'll hear that," he said. "I've obviously seen her play on TV. I'm just going to try to treat her like any other player and things will take care of themselves. I won't be ashamed to lose to her, and I'm not afraid to play her."

Wie, the high school junior-to-be from Honolulu, shot a 2-over 72 Tuesday to finish tied for 49th at 8-over 148 in the two rounds of medal play.

Claxton, a quarterfinalist a year ago, is a 23-year-old recent graduate of Auburn who has played in front of sizable galleries before.

"But probably not crowds like I'm going to see tomorrow," he said. "I'll have to deal with it."

Claxton finished medal play tied for eighth after rounds of 72 and 68 for a 140, eight strokes better than his first-round opponent.

Wie is playing in the men's APL because the winner is traditionally invited to play at The Masters.

The first female to qualify for a men's U.S. Golf Association championship, she shot a 76 in Monday's first round.

The top 64 in stroke play moved on to match play, which culminates with a 36-hole final on Saturday.

"Match play is a lot more intense," Wie said.

For the second day in a row, a huge gallery cheered every one of Wie's shots. About 300 people, including Wie's parents, stuck with her for most of her round. Numerous USGA officials and two deputy sheriffs attempted to clear the way for Wie and her fellow players.

Not everyone was a Wie fan, however.

"I don't think she should be here," said Danny Green, who tied for second in medal play after matching the tournament low with a 65 for a 2-under 138.

"I think she should play in the women's tournaments because they don't let the men play in women's tournaments," he said. "I just don't agree with that, but it's not my call. She qualified and she is going by the rules. She's here and she is a great player. I've got nothing against that."

Wie tries to ignore her detractors.

"I don't really care what they think because I actually qualified for this event," he said. "So I feel I belong here. I'm not looking for 100 percent support. I know there are going to be people against me. I'm not going to stop just for them."

The low medalist was Anthony Kim, who shot rounds of 71 and 65 for 4-under 136, a dozen shots better than Wie. Kim is a two-time All-American who'll be a junior at Oklahoma this fall.

Green, playing in his 13th APL, was tied for second with Iowa State junior Rodney Hamblin Jr. (70-68) and 16-year-old Sihwan Kim (69-69), the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion.

Wie began the day tied for 84th in the 156-player field.

She was even for the day through 11 holes, but then bogeyed three of the next five holes before parring out.

One spectator near the final green was wearing a homemade T-shirt which read, "Michelle Who?"

Playing partner Ed McDugle, who struggled to an 80 for a 158 to miss match play, said there was a simple solution for those who don't want Wie to play golf with the men.

"She teed it up with the men and if the men don't like it, they should have beat her," he said.