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Michelle Wie To Play in 2003 ShopRite Classic Thirteen-year-old phenom accepts sponsor's exemption for LPGA Tour stop in Galloway Contact Rodger Gottlieb GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (March 26, 2003) - Michelle Wie, the extraordinary 13-year-old golf sensation who has made headlines with her booming tee shots and her remarkable performances in men's professional tournaments, has received and accepted a sponsor's exemption to play in the 2003 ShopRite LPGA Classic. She will tee it up along side defending champion Annika Sorenstam and a field of 142 of the top female golfers in the world on June 27-29 at the Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa Bay Course in Galloway Township, NJ. Wie first captured national attention as a 12-year-old last summer when she qualified for two LPGA Tour events - the Takefuji Classic and the Wendy's Championship - through Monday qualifying rounds against LPGA professionals. She received a sponsor's exemption for a third LPGA tournament, the Asahi Ryokuken International, but failed to make the cut in those events. Wie also reached the semifinals of the United States Women's Amateur Public Links at age 12, becoming the youngest ever semifinalist in any women's amateur event run by the USGA. In the 2002 Hawaii State Open in November, Wie shot 8-under-par for three rounds to beat every male in the field and was 13 shots ahead of the second place female finisher, LPGA Tour veteran Cindy Flom. More recently, Wie attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour's Sony Open in January in Honolulu where she lives. She shot 1-over-par 73 from the championship tees at the 6,787-yard Pearl Country Club to tie for 47th against a field of 96 men. A few weeks later, she finished 43rd in the 54-hole Hawaii Pearl Open in a field of 192, despite closing with a 77 for a total of 8-over-par 224. She was the only female in the tournament and the youngest competitor overall. She will not turn 14 until next October. "We are very pleased and excited that Michelle has accepted our invitation to play in the ShopRite Classic," said tournament executive director Ruth Harrison. "It will be a real treat for golf fans in our region to see the young lady whom many believe will someday be the most dominant player in all of golf." For tickets, sponsorship or volunteer information on the ShopRite Classic, call (609) 383-8330, or visit www.shopritelpga.org. |