ASSOCIATED PRESS Michelle Wie will likely play all four majors this year.

Wie to play in
LPGA Championship

The tournament is admitting
an amateur for the first time

HAVRE de GRACE, Md. >> Hawaii's 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.

Wie and other top amateurs like 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 9-12 at Bulle Rock. 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 24-27, 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.