Wie begins US Open qualifying tomorrow

Michelle Wie will try to move a step closer tomorrow to becoming the first woman to qualify for the United States Open.

The 15-year-old is one of three females taking part in 107 local qualifying competitions over the next few weeks and hers is at the Turtle Bay course in Hawaii where she finished second on the LPGA Tour in February.

Wie could have to finish in the top two at the 18-hole event to move onto a final 36-hole qualifier in June.

“To make it through will be challenging,” said her father BJ Wie. “I hope she can make it into the main qualifier in June. That would be a good experience.

“For her to make it into the main event will be difficult. Her chances will be low.”

Wie also has a chance to become the first woman to play in the British Open. She has been invited to the John Deere Classic in Illinois on July 7-10 and the leading non-exempt player there earns a spot at St Andrews the following week.