The Sony Open in Hawai'i opened with Paraguay's Carlos Franco (7-under-par 63) bolting into first place, 'Aiea's David Ishii (66) recreating a brilliant blast from the past and Punahou freshman Michelle Wie — the belle of this PGA Tour ball — delivering yet another precocious performance.

Wie, 14, was given a sponsor's exemption this week, making her what could be the youngest ever to play a tour event (there are no comprehensive records). Her appearance is in stark contrast to that of 60-year-old Dave Eichelberger, the Champions Tour/O'ahu Country Club member who qualified Monday.

Wie's invitation came after a memorable 2003 where she became the youngest to win a U.S. Golf Association open event, finished ninth in an LPGA major, and was the first female amateur in a tour-sanctioned event (Nationwide Tour's Albertsons Boise Open).

She missed the cut at Boise and probably needs a sub-par round today to make it to the weekend. But her 2-over-par 72 yesterday included three birdies, and her mere presence has already increased attendance by an estimated 20 percent. The number of marshals with her yesterday morning was larger than the usual Thursday gallery.

"I think Michelle is just a special person, the next Tiger Woods," said Ishii, 48, whose 1990 Hawaiian Open victory is sandwiched by 14 wins on the Japan PGA tour. "She's a one-in-a-million person.

"The first time I broke 80, I was 14. So for her to play against most of our idols, and not to be flustered by it, is pretty amazing."

Wie basked in Sony's bright spotlight. She was at her imperturbable best with one glaring exception. Wie missed just three of Waialae's narrow fairways and launched large (275-yard average) drives that more than kept up with the big boys — partners Kevin Hayashi and Craig Bowden — but had a great round turn merely good when her putts refused to fall. She missed five from within 10 feet.

"My game felt respectable, but my score, it felt less respectable," said Wie, sporting huge hoop earrings with a hanging star. "I played very good, but I think the results weren't as good as I wanted because the putts just didn't drop today."

Going into her second round (1:24 p.m. off the first tee), Wie trails Franco by nine. If Waialae's idyllic conditions continue, she has to go low today to make the cut and more history. Annika Sorenstam and Suzy Whaley became the first women in more than 40 years to play a PGA Tour event in 2003. Neither made the cut.

Jesper Parnevik shot the low afternoon round yesterday (65) to shoot into second place, two behind Franco. Parnevik tied for third here four years ago.

Ishii, the last Hawai'i player to win a PGA Tour event, is among six tied for third at 66. His best round the year he won was 67. Last year on the Japan tour, he never broke 70.

Franco has also struggled the past few years, after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1999. The last of his three tour victories came a year later. Since then he has done just enough to keep his playing privileges.

And, apparently, his sense of humor.

After detailing his recent frustrations, Franco offered that the "golf game almost keeps you crazy sometimes. You need to go into fishing. Maybe better."

Yesterday was much better, in conditions Craig Barlow insisted "can't be any better." Franco's score was a career-low and one of three bogey-free rounds. He eagled the ninth hole from 25 feet, sank five birdie putts within 10 feet and missed three more.