Michelle Wie is only the fourth amateur to receive an exemption into any U.S. Open for golf, including the men's and senior tours. Associated Press library photo

"She is an exceptional talent and has proven herself against the best players in the world," said Jeanne Myers, chairman of the USGA Women's Committee.

Wie, a 14-year-old from Hawai'i who just finished the ninth grade, has become one of the biggest attractions in golf.

She missed the cut by one shot at the Sony Open in January after a 68 in the second round, the lowest score ever by a female on the PGA Tour. Then, she finished fourth in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year on the LPGA Tour. Wie has finished in the top 20 in two other LPGA Tour events this year.

USGA executive director David Fay said Wie's exemption was based purely on her performance. If she weren't an amateur, Wie would have earned enough to be 28th on the money list in the three LPGA events she has played; the top 35 players on the LPGA Tour money list are exempt to the U.S. Women's Open.

"Against the best in the game ... she clearly would have been exempt," Fay said.

Wie will represent the United States in the Curtis Cup matches June 12-13 in England, and she would have had to qualify for the Women's Open when she returned.

The exemption also frees up Wie to try qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links, held the same week as qualifying for the Women's Open.

Her father, B.J. Wie, said yesterday evening that Wie has entered the men’s tournament and likely will qualify in Hershey, Pa. The winner of the Public Links, held July 12-17, gets an invitation to the Masters, and Wie has been saying that tournament is probably her best hope of getting to Augusta National.

"It works out really perfect for us," the father said.

Wie will attempt to defend her title in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links, June 22-27 in Williamsburg, Va. The Women's Open is the following week, July 1-4, at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass.

A year ago, Wie became the youngest player to win an adult USGA championship, beating Virada Nirapathpongporn in the Public Links.

Wie qualified in a playoff for the Women's Open last year and tied for 39th during a contentious week at Pumpkin Ridge. She was paired the first two rounds with Danielle Ammaccapane, who berated the teenager in the scoring trailer for poor etiquette.

The USGA previously gave exemptions to Dottie Pepper and Betsy King for the Women's Open.