Making history motivates Wie

Michelle Wie has revealed that it was her determination to be the first woman to play in the men’s US Open that spurred her on in her recent local qualifier.

The 16-year-old carded a level-par 72 to top the event on her home island of Hawaii. That has put her through to the 36-hole sectional qualifier on June 5 in Canoe Brook, New Jersey, where she will bid to make golfing history.

Wie said after her round: “The possibility of playing at Winged Foot? It’s just the US Open, the name speaks for itself.

“It’s one of a kind. It’s huge.”

Wie is not old enough to be an LPGA Tour member – the limit is 18 – so she is currently playing on invitations. Two weeks ago in South Korea she made her first cut in a men’s event.

The young prodigy yesterday received invitations to play in both the men’s Omega European Masters in Switzerland in September and the women’s US Open.

“Playing in two US Opens, the men’s and the women’s - I think that would be remarkable,” said Wie.

“I’m just hoping to get through this and I’m going to practice my butt off for the summer.”