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Wie may need to qualify for US Open
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-08 09:43
Morgan Pressel fired the first shot two weeks before the LPGA Tour even
began. During a conference call for the Fields Open in Hawaii, the 17-year-old
rookie said Michelle Wie should have to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open
instead of getting an exemption.
 Several veterans were outraged when Wie got a a special exemption to
the Women's Open in 2004, although she tied for 13th to earn a trip back. Last
year, Wie was tied for the lead going into the final round at Cherry Hills until
closing with an 82 to tie for 23rd. Only the top 20 and ties are exempt the
following year.
Pressel, who tied for second at Cherry Hills, said she doesn't think Wie will
get an exemption this time.
"I'd be very surprised, just because of what happened last time," Pressel
said. "I don't think she needs an exemption. I've been through qualifying.
Everybody who doesn't make it on the money list, other amateurs, other
professionals that aren't members of the tour, they all have to go through
qualifying, too.
"I don't see why she shouldn't, or why she should be afraid, or expect an
exemption."
Even so, USGA executive director David Fay sounded as though that were a
possibility — provided Wie "earned" her exemption in the LPGA Tour events she
plays before qualifying begins for the Open.
"She's not exempt now," Fay said. "But she's in limbo."
The 16-year-old from Hawaii is exempt into the other three majors based on
her '05 performance — runner-up at the LPGA Championship and a tie for third at
the Women's British Open.
Along with being the biggest draw in women's golf, one reason Wie received a
special invitation in 2004 was because money she would have earned on the LPGA
was equivalent to the top 35 on the LPGA money list, which is one of the
criteria for being exempt.
Wie turned pro in October, although she is not a member of the LPGA Tour
because of her age. Whatever money she earns does not appear on the money list.
That's why Fay refers to her being in limbo.
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