Michelle Wie to play LPGA's Canadian Women's Open on sponsor's exemption

From WorldGolf.com News Services

Michelle Wie, who has been sidelined since February with an injured wrist, has accepted a sponsor's exemption to compete in the Canadian Women's Open, held Aug. 16-19 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta.

It will be Wie's first time playing in Canada and likely her third consecutive LPGA Tour event, as it follows the Evian Masters and the Women's British Open at St. Andrews.

"I'm excited to get out there and play again and especially excited to make my professional debut in Canada," Wie told the media this week.

Wie, who will begin her freshman year at Stanford this fall, hasn't played since the Sony Open in January. She will return to competition this month at the LPGA Tour Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika on another sponsor's exemption. The event will be held May 31-June 3 at RiverTowne Country Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Also off the tour with an injury, Annika Sorenstam has said her goal is to return for the Ginn Tribute. Sorenstam has been diagnosed with a bulging disk in her back and ruptured disk in her neck that forced her to withdraw from the Ginn Open last month. She will not compete for at least another two weeks.

Wie turned professional in 2005. She has never won an LPGA Tour event but has shown strong potential at the majors. Last year, she finished third at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

May 3, 2007