AROUND THE GREENS
Wie's special invitation an open-and-shut case

By Bill Kwon

Some have questioned Michelle Wie's exemption to the U.S. Women's Open, but one USGA official said, "it was purely performance driven," noting Wie's strong performances in three LPGA events this year. Advertiser library photo

How else to explain the USGA's granting Wie a special exemption to the U.S. Women's Open? Wie is the first amateur to get a free pass to the most prestigious women's golf championship, which is scheduled for July 1 to 4 at The Orchids Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass.

You don't have to be a cynic to say that television ratings and ticket sales had a lot to do with the USGA's decision. Just a realist. And why not?

This year's U.S. Women's Open is on the same fourth of July weekend when Tiger Woods defends his title in the Western Open. National TV viewership would be no contest without Wie's presence. Now, the remote will get a workout in what should be an interesting weekend of golf if she makes the cut. (Last year, she made the cut and finished tied for 39th.)

That's how much the teenage phenom brings to the table in golf these days.

She's everywhere after her last local sighting in the Hawai'i Pearl Open.

If she wasn't wowing them at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, she was wowing them in a red evening gown accepting an award in Lisbon. Now she is in Georgia, practicing with the rest of her U.S. Curtis Cup teammates for next month's matches in England.

Later next month she defends her title as the youngest winner of the the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship and will also play in the U.S. Women's Amateur, another USGA-sponsored event, in August.

No wonder Michelle Wie is the USGA's poster girl.

Some have questioned Wie's exemption, saying that just because she's a special talent it doesn't mean she should get special treatment.

That more deserving LPGA players were passed up in favor of Wie. Jeanne Myers, chairman of the USGA women's committee that extended the special exemption, pointed out that the youngest performance as an amateur weighed in her favor.

"She is an exceptional talent and has proven herself against the best players in the world," Myers said in a USGA release.

"The USGA has always been proud of its association with amateur golf, and we are happy to acknowledge the outstanding play of one of our country's best young amateurs."

David Fay, the USGA's executive director, told the Associated Press, "Sure, we know she's a draw. But it was purely performance driven," pointing out that exemptions are given to the top 35 players on this year's LPGA list and Wie would have qualified had she played for pay. (Wie would have earned $131,130, which would have put her 28th on the money list).

"She did this in three events," said Fay, adding, "It's a no-brainer."

The real no-brainer is that the U.S. Women's Open is run by the USGA, not the LPGA, so there's no need to justify a reason for inviting Wie, a champion of one of its tournaments.

Mary Bea Porter-King, a member of the USGA executive committee, also said the special exemption to Wie was a no-brainer because the youngster has clearly demonstrated that she can play with the best women golfers.

However, the irony wasn't lost on Porter-King as she conducted the U.S. Women's Open local qualifying Tuesday at the Ko Olina Golf Club. Jennie K. Wilson champion Amanda Wilson of Hilo was the medalist with a 71 to lead players advancing to the 36-hole sectional qualifying June 15, also at Ko Olina, for one spot to the event to which Wie got a free pass.

You always hear a golfer say, "I'd rather be lucky than good."

In the case of Wie, she is lucky because she is good.

Receiving the special exemption now gives her an opportunity to try to qualify for the U.S. Men's Public Links Championship, which she hadn't planned on until now. And you know what a free pass that gets you, if you win that championship — the Masters.

Whether she can even beat the men just to qualify for the chance remains to be seen. But Hawai'i will have at least one golfer assured of being in the 156-player field for the 36-hole medal qualifying at the 2004 Publinx in Maple Grove, Minn.

Guy Yamamoto, the 1994 champion, plans on making his "last hurrah" because his 10-year exemption from local qualifying ends this year.

Porter-King connection

The world's a stage for Wie these days. But it's a small world.

Porter-King grew up playing junior golf in Southern California with Martha Kirouac, captain of the U.S. Curtis Cup team, the former Martha Wilkinson when she won the 1970 U.S. Women's Amateur.

"I don't think you'll find anyone with more integrity than Martha. She's a winner and very passionate about the game and the USGA," said Porter-King, adding that she was a perfect choice to captain the youngest Curtis Cup team in history.

"She played for two USA Curtis Cup teams and has two daughters almost as young as the players are."

Bill Kwon can be reached at bkwon@aloha.net.