Women's Open invites Wie

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If Michelle Wie had taken money for her three LPGA events this year, she would be No. 28 on the money list. Advertiser library photo • Jan. 15, 2004

"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.

The USGA also revealed that Wie has filed an application to compete in the U.S. Amateur Public Links, July 12 through 17 in Maple Grove, Minn.

Organizers said yesterday that tickets are selling well for the July 1-4 tournament at the Orchards Golf Club near Springfield. But to help develop new fans, they are admitting children under 16 for free with a ticketed adult.

"We wanted to make it fun for the families," said Betse Hamilton, the USGA's director of Women's Open championships.

As many as nine children can get in for free with one adult who paid admission. The kids will also get a meal coupon and a golf cap. The front row of every grandstand will be reserved for them.

And they'll have a chance to cheer for someone their own age.

Wie, a 6-foot tall ninth-grader at Punahou School, has become one of the biggest attractions in golf.

She missed the cut by one shot at the Sony Open in Hawai'i 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.

In her three LPGA events this season, Wie would have earned more than $130,000 if she were a professional.

Her fourth-place finish at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA's first major, would have earned her $82,000.

According to her father, BJ, Wie is with the Curtis Cup team and he said in an e-mail that parents aren't allowed to contact their children.

The special exemption gives Wie a chance to take a break after representing the United States in the Curtis Cup matches June 12 and 13 in England.

Without it, she would have had to qualify for the Women's Open when she returned.

She now gets a week off before defending her title in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links June 22 through 27 in Williamsburgh, Va. The Open is the following week.

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

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

Even at 13, Wie wasn't the youngest to play in the Women's Open. She was nine days older than Sydney Burlison; 14 teens played at Pumpkin Ridge in all.

Morgan Pressel qualified for the 2001 Women's Open when she was 12, though she turned 13 by the time it was played.

But it's rare for one so young to be given an exemption that is usually offered to players older than Wie's parents. The USGA had previously announced special exemptions into the 2004 Women's Open for Dottie Pepper and Betsy King, who have been playing in the event since before Wie was born.

Wie is only the fourth amateur to receive an exemption into any U.S. Open. Jay Sigel (1980) and Aaron Baddeley (2000) received exemptions to the U.S. Open, while Vinny Giles got an exemption to the U.S. Senior Open last year.