Wie to play in Sony Open

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The newest golf frontier to be conquered by Honolulu phenom Michelle Wie lies about 10 minutes from her house.

Fourteen--year-old Michelle Wie of Hawai'i Kai was granted a sponsor's exemption for the 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii PGA golf tournament in January at Waialae Country Club. Gov. Linda Lingle, right, asked Sony for the exemption. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Wie, a freshman at Punahou School, will become just the third female to play in a PGA Tour event, and might be the youngest participant — male or female — to do so.

Wie attempted to play in the Sony Open the past three years via a Monday qualifier, but failed to earn a spot.

"I like the easy road," said Wie, when asked if she would have rather qualified on the course. "I played in the qualifier three times, so I know how hard it can be. It's a one-day deal, and anything can happen. I like this way better."

Lingle said she asked Sony for the exemption because it would benefit all parties involved.

"Michelle obviously is a very talented and skilled golfer, and she has shown that she has the maturity and ability to hold her own (in pro tournaments)," Lingle said. "I believe this will bring added exposure to the tournament and to the state. Michelle brings a lot of pride to our people. Everybody knows I'm not a golfer, but nobody is prouder than I am of Michelle. She represents all of us in Hawai'i at such a high level."

Wie played in seven LPGA events this year, making the cut in all but one. She finished ninth in the first major of the year, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and played in the final group Sunday with Annika Sorenstam.

Wie also became the youngest player to win a U.S. Golf Association title when she captured the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links in June, at the age of 13.

Wie played events in the men's Canadian Tour and Nationwide Tour this year, missing the cut in each. The Nationwide Tour is considered to be the PGA Tour's minor league. Wie's father, BJ, said Sony officials polled several tour professionals before offering the exemption.

"I don't think she's intimidated or worried about consequences," BJ Wie said. "She's more interested in giving a positive impression to tour players and galleries."

Wie has not played competitively in Hawai'i since tying for fourth place at the State Amateur in March. She is not entered in this weekend's Prince Resorts Hawai'i State Open, citing a need to rest after returning from a tournament in South Korea last month.

Wie said she looks forward to playing at Waialae, where she shot a 3-under-par 69 in a casual round playing from the back tees in September.

"I've always wanted to play in the Sony Open, and I hope I play good and show what I can do," Wie said. "One thing is, I think I have an advantage because I live in Hawai'i and I'm used to the Bermuda grass. Another thing is, I don't have to travel. My house is only (10) minutes away (in Hawai'i Kai)."

Wie shot a 1-over 73 in last year's Sony Open qualifying at Pearl Country Club, missing a spot by seven strokes. She finished 47th out of 98 competitors — all male except for her.

Sorenstam and Suzy Whaley played in PGA Tour events this year, and LPGA players Laura Davies and Se Ri Pak played overseas in men's tour events. Pak was the only one to make the cut, finishing 10th in a Korean Tour tournament to become the first woman to make the two-round cut in a men's event in 58 years.

The PGA Tour's office in Florida was closed by the time yesterday's announcement was made, and the Tour media guide does not have a list of youngest participants. Tiger Woods was 16 when he played in his first tour event, the 1992 Honda Classic. Ty Tryon was 16 years, 9 months at the 2001 Honda Classic when he became the youngest player to make a PGA Tour cut since Bob Panasik (15 years, 8 months) at the 1957 Canadian Open.

For her part, Wie doesn't seem too caught up in the historical perspective.

"I don't think of it as I'm a girl playing against men," she said. "I just play."

Staff writer Ann Miller contributed to this report.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.