EAST CORNING, N.Y. (Jan. 19, 2006) -- Teen sensation Morgan Pressel has committed to play in this year's LPGA Corning Classic, the tournament announced Wednesday in a press release.

Pressel, 17, is the first player announced for this year's Classic, scheduled for May 25-28 at Corning Country Club.

"Morgan Pressel should have a very positive impact on this year's attendance," Corning Classic President Jack Benjamin said. "We sure hope so."

The LPGA Tour made an exception for Pressel to allow her to join the tour before her 18th birthday, which is two days before the start of the Corning Classic.

As an amateur last year, Pressel tied for second at the U.S. Women's Open, losing that event when Birdie Kim sank a bunker shot on the final hole.

Pressel was the top-ranked girl in U.S. golf last year while playing on the American Junior Golf Association circuit. In addition to her performance at the U.S. Women's Open, she finished fifth at the LPGA Tour's State Farm Classic and won the 2005 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship. She made the cut in all seven LPGA events she entered.

Pressel is scheduled to graduate in May from St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, Fla., where she's an honors student.

Season ticket badges for the 2006 tournament are on sale at the tournament office, next to Corning Country Club, for the early bird price of $47 through Jan. 31. After that, the price goes up to $67.

Jimin Kang won last year's Corning Classic by two strokes over defending champion Annika Sorenstam and Meena Lee.

Tournament information: www.corningclassic.com or 607/962-4441.