Wie tees up with LPGA again

By Anthony Rhoads
Special to The Advertiser

•	Wie on TV 9 a.m. today on ESPN, 8 a.m. tomorrow and Sunday on ESPN2

It's something she's getting used to as the media attention is becoming commonplace in the 13-year-old's life.

The Punahou School eighth-grader from Honolulu has created a firestorm of attention after finishing ninth as an amateur in the Kraft Nabisco Championship a month ago.

Today, she begins play in the Chick-fil-A, her first LPGA tournament since the Kraft Nabisco.

"I got a lot of exposure before Nabisco but it went up a lot and a lot of people know who I am so it surprises me but nothing really has changed about me," Wie said. "Kraft Nabisco was really a great week; I had a lot of fun. It gave me a lot of confidence, so I think I can play well."

On her way to her ninth-place finish in the Nabisco, Wie tied the LPGA record for lowest round by an amateur in a major championship when she shot a 66 in round 3.

"In the Nabisco my driver and my long game were working well, but I'm trying to work on everything else and I got a new putter, so I hope it's working this week," she said.

Her long game definitely has been her strength as she has routinely pounded out tee shots that have averaged nearly 300 yards. Her play has not only garnered attention from fans and media but respect from LPGA players.

"I think she's a really good kid," Se Ri Pak said. "She's got some swing. She's going to be really good. She's a really big girl (5 feet, 11fl inches) and she doesn't look like a 13-year-old. I'm really excited to see how she plays this week."

LPGA veteran Juli Inkster has seen her share of younger players come and go, but she is impressed by what Wie is doing.

"I have a 13-year-old daughter so it's really hard for me to fathom 13," Inkster said. "I just hope when she's 20, she still has the passion for the game. You know, it's unbelievable she's 13 and plays so well."

Nancy Lopez turned professional at 19 so she knows what it's like to play in the LPGA at an early age.

Lopez didn't finish college first, and it's a decision she later regretted. She hopes Wie takes advantage of the opportunity to play in college first before turning pro.

"She's spectacular; I saw her at the Nabisco and you would have thought a man hit it," Lopez said. "You can play golf at an early age and play professionally, but you can miss a lot of your life. You're only young once. I think she's going to Stanford, and I think that would be great."

LGPA commissioner Ty Votaw also gives Wie high marks not only as a player but as a person.

"She's an impressive young woman, and I give her parents a lot of credit for that," Votaw said. "When she's ready to be a member of the LPGA, we'll welcome her with open arms."