ASSOCIATED PRESS
Michelle Wie, 14, and Gov. Linda Lingle spoke to reporters yesterday about Wie playing in the Sony Open in January.
Wie lands spot
in 2004 Sony OpenThe 14-year-old golfer
gets an exemption to play
in the pro event
It's not bad having Gov. Linda Lingle as your caddy.
After failing to qualify for the Sony Open in Hawaii in two previous attempts, 14-year-old golf phenom Michelle Wie received a sponsor's exemption to the PGA Tour event, thanks in part to a request from the governor.
"It's a dream to play in the Sony Open," Wie said yesterday. "I just hope I can play good and show what I can do."
Lingle said she requested that tournament officials allow Wie to play in her hometown event, the PGA Tour's first full-field tournament of the year. She believes Wie's appearance at the event will bring added exposure to the Sony Open and Hawaii.
"She has played this sport at the highest level under tremendous pressure and unbelievable media attention and scrutiny that anyone of any age would've had a difficult time dealing with it," Lingle said. "And she's done it with such grace."
Wie failed in two previous attempts to qualify for the tournament. She shot a 73 last year in Monday qualifying, and had an 84 in 2000. But Wie thinks she has a pretty good shot at the Sony, which will be held at the Waialae Country Club Jan. 11-18.
"I live in Hawaii and I'm used to the grass," Wie said. "When they come here, I hear they have a lot of trouble playing in the Bermuda grass."
Wie also was thankful for the sponsor's exemption because it meant she did not have to play another Monday qualifier.
"I like the easy route," Wie said. "I know how hard it can be. It's a one-day deal and anything can happen."
Wie has played in nine professional tournaments this year. She competed against the men in the Nationwide Tour's Boise Open and the Canadian Tour's Bay Mills Open Players Championship, missing the cut in both events.
Two weeks ago, Wie finished last in a field of 69 players in the CJ Nine Bridges Classic in South Korea, her seventh and final LPGA Tour event of the year.
Her best finish was at the LPGA Tour's first major, where she finished ninth in the Kraft Nabisco Championship in March. She was paired in the major's final group with Annika Sorenstam and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc.
Among her other accomplishments this year, Wie became the youngest player to win a USGA title for adults in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and made the cut at the U.S. Women's Open.
The 6-foot golf prodigy, whose 300-yard drives attract huge galleries, turned 14 last month and recently began her freshman year at Punahou School.
Sony granted her the special sponsor's exemption at the request of Gov. Lingle and Friends of Hawaii Charities.
"Sony has had a remarkable 35-year relationship with Hawaii and its people, and allowing Michelle Wie a sponsor's exemption is a small way to show our appreciation to the people of the state for their many years of support of Sony and this tremendous charity event," said corporate Executive Vice President Mitsuru Ohki in a press release.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
