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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 4:53 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Wie accepts invitation to play in LPGA Safeway Classic

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — Michelle Wie accepted a sponsor's exemption today to play in the Safeway Classic next month.

The 17-year-old Wie is continuing her course of playing as many times as the LPGA allows: eight. The Safeway Classic on Aug. 24-26 would be her seventh event, with her final tournament expected to be the Samsung World Championship at Bighorn in October.

Wie of Honolulu has been hampered this year by wrist injuries, but is looking forward to returning to the Columbia-Edgewater Country Club.

"It's been a few years since I've played at the Safeway Classic, and I'm excited to be coming back," said Wie, who earned six top-five finishes in eight LPGA events. "Right now, I'm working on getting back to top form, and I'm hoping I will be all the way back by the time I come to Portland."

It will be Wie's second appearance in Portland after playing in the event in 2003 at the age of 13, when she tied for 28th.

"We are thrilled to welcome Michelle back to Portland again," said Tom Maletis, president of Tournament Golf Foundation (TGF), the tournament owner and organizer. "Michelle is an incredible athlete and will add to a very strong field of LPGA players we are expecting in Portland this year."

Pat Hurst won the Safeway Classic last year by a shot over Jeong Jang and Kim Saiki.