"But," said Harrison, the Classic's general chairman who follows junior golf and keeps an eye on rising standouts, "I had no idea."

No idea that Wie would become one of golf's biggest stories and rising stars.

The 13-year-old begins play today in the $1.3 million Classic at Seaview Marriott Resort.

The Honolulu phenom has attracted as much pre-tournament publicity as any player in the Classic's 18-year history. She has gotten more press this week than defending champion Annika Sorenstam.

Requests for Classic media credentials are double what they normally are. ESPN, HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, 60 Minutes and CNN have requested interviews with Wie.

The Today Show wanted her in its Manhattan studios for an interview yesterday morning. Wie couldn't because she had to practice for the Classic, but she plans to meet Matt Lauer and Katy Couric at a later date.

Late-night television entertainment programs have inquired about her availability.

Philadelphia television stations and sports shows, which rarely send their own camera crews and reporters to the Classic, traveled the 60-plus miles to the New Jersey shore to cover her in Wednesday's pro-am round.

Wie played that round with LPGA pro Heather Bowie and three other amateurs. Wie was the last to arrive on the tee because she was giving television interviews.

Bowie joked that pro-am rules say all female amateurs must hit from the ladies tees. An exception was made for Wie.

Television cameras and newspaper photographers waited for her drive on the 403-yard, par-4.

She swung and the ball soared into the air. Spectators and media just looked at one another and nodded. There was applause.

The ball rolled to a stop 112 yards from the pin, which was middle of the green.

On the next hole, a 187-yard par-3, she hit a 4-iron to within four feet of the pin.

Anybody associated with Wie is fair game for the media. Reporters have spoken with her father and caddie BJ. Her swing coach Gary Gilchrist found himself giving an impromptu press conference during her pro-am round.

Yesterday, she signed autographs for a group of young girls near the putting green. The press interviewed those girls.

All the attention culminated with yesterday's standing-room only press conference that highlighted Wie's quick wit and charismatic smile.

If the golf thing does not work, she could go on the road as a standup comedian. Several of her answers drew laughs.

What's her favorite subject?

"Lunch."

She has said she will not turn pro until after college. Will she be tempted to become a professional before that?

"I just don't want the money right before my eyes, if that doesn't happen, I'll be fine."

What does she like about press conferences?

"It's a challenge. You're asked challenging questions. Your mind has to work fast. If you don't say something (intelligent), you get labeled a stupid person."

What does she think the media attention will be like when she plays her first PGA tournament?

"I think it will be pretty cool. I just have to come in a mask and a beard so no one knows who I am."

Does she have a mask and a beard?

"Don't worry. I'll get them."

What do her friends in Hawai'i think of her success?

"Whenever I say I get free stuff, they get jealous."

Wie also was asked if she misses a normal teen life.

"I can't have a normal life," she said, "because I'm not normal. I never wanted to be normal. I want to be better than normal."