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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Wie may play in all 4 majors

Associated Press

HAVRE de GRACE, Md. — Michelle Wie accepted an invitation yesterday to play in the LPGA Championship, making it likely the 15-year-old golfer will compete in all four of the women's majors this year.

MICHELLE WIE

WIE AND LPGA

Subject to change

Feb. 24 to 26: SBS Classic at Turtle Bay

March 17 to 20: Safeway International at Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

March 24 to 27: Kraft Nabisco at Rancho Mirage, Calif.

June 9 to 12: LPGA Championship at Havre de Grace, Md.

June 23 to 26: U.S. Women's Open at Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

Wie, a 10th grader at Honolulu's Punahou School, and other top amateurs such as Paula Creamer and Jane Park have not played the McDonald's LPGA Championship because it was for professionals. But the tournament expanded its field from 144 to 150 players, offering one of those additional spots to a "leading amateur."

Three extra exemptions will go to a top player from the Korea LPGA, the Japan LPGA and the Ladies European Tour, and the remaining spots will go to the next two LPGA Tour players from a priority list.

The LPGA Championship will be played June 9 to 12 at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace, Md. Annika Sorenstam is the two-time defending champion, having won both titles at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del.

"We could not be happier having Michelle Wie in our field," tournament co-founder Herb Lotman said. "This is what ladies' golf is all about ... the best of the best, competing in one field and showcased at one outstanding golf course."

Wie already accepted an amateur exemption to the Kraft Nabisco Championship on March 24 to 27, and she is exempt to the U.S. Women's Open in late June because she tied for 13th a year ago.

She is expected to get an exemption to the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale in July.

Wie is coming off her second appearance on the PGA Tour, shooting rounds of 75-74 in the Sony Open to miss the cut by seven shots.