Wie pulls out of
Hawaii Pearl Open

The 15-year-old golf phenom
plans to be ready for the LPGA
event at Turtle Bay in three weeks

Michelle Wie: 15-year-old still plans to play in LPGA SBS Open

Michelle Wie has withdrawn from the field of this weekend's Hawaii Pearl Open, tournament officials announced last night.

The cancellation is the result of an injury concern -- a left-forearm muscle pull that first appeared during practice two weeks ago after the Sony Open in Hawaii.

"I'm very, very sad that I will not be able to play," the 15-year-old said in a release. "The Hawaii Pearl Open is a very special tournament to me. I was really looking forward to it -- that's why I waited until (Wednesday) to make this decision."

It was at the 2002 Hawaii Pearl Open that the then-12-year-old Wie first competed in a men's pro golf event. She made the cut in 2003 and 2004, finishing as the second-low amateur last year.

Wie had practiced by putting only in hope of healing up in time for the tournament. But with continued pain in her wrist, she underwent a medical exam and decided go with a doctor's recommendation and sit out.

"This is the first time Michelle has ever withdrawn from a tournament," her father, B.J. Wie, said. "I hope everyone understands that we are being cautious to avoid any reoccurrence in the future."

She expects to be ready for the LPGA SBS Open beginning Feb. 24 at Turtle Bay.