"My goal is to win, but I don't believe in just winning one tournament," said Wie, who said her goal of becoming a better player is almost equally important. "I kind of had a disappointing summer. I came out winless, but I feel my golf game came out better. I got a lot more experience and I've been working more on my swing."

This tournament will be the sixth sponsor exemption to an LPGA event for Wie this season, the most she is allowed to accept under LPGA rules. She is not able to accept another exemption this season, and will not play another official tournament this year.

Wie received a special invitation to participate in the tournament, which includes winners of the four major tournaments; last year's top money winner, Annika Sorenstam; Se Ri Pak, the best average scorer; 2003 defending champion Sophie Gustavson, and the remaining top tour money winners to fill out the 20-player field.

Wie had two top 10 finishes in her six tournaments, placing fourth in the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Southern California earlier this year. She won two singles matches in the Curtis Cup, a competition putting U.S. amateurs against a team of amateurs from Great Britain and Ireland, and reached the final of the U.S. Public Links Tournament.

Not playing a regular season makes things more difficult for the Punahou School sophomore.

"When you play week after week you have the comfort level that comes with every tournament — it's the feeling for a game," she said. "It's difficult for me at this point because I play a tournament and then a month later play another tournament, but I think it's possible. Right now I feel pretty good about my game."

As for celebrating her birthday, Wie said the real celebration will take place when she returns home.