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Michelle Wie was doing chemistry homework Monday when she learned of her lofty position in the first Rolex Women's World Ranking -- an appropriate time to add another element to her young career.
She's been a pro for four months, and now she checks in at No.3 in the world, ahead of everybody except Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer. The news was extraordinary: A 16-year-old high school junior who's not an LPGA member and plays the tour part time is the third-best player in the world.
It caused some combustible reactions, too, heading into her LPGA debut today at the Fields Open at Ko Olina Golf Club, a short drive from her Honolulu home. Like critics, Wie was surprised, but she was in no mood to apologize for a ranking she's confident she can back up in her six to eight women's tournaments this year.
"It's not like I invented the world rankings," she said at her Wednesday news conference. "All I did was play golf. I feel very grateful to be No.3. It kind of showed how I played the last two years."
She can prove that ranking wasn't a fluke this week. With 13 of the top 15 players in Hawaii -- only No.1 Sorenstam and No.4 Yuri Fudoh are missing -- Wie can rack up significant points because the field is so strong.
Wie has yet to win (or earn a pro paycheck), but she actually ascended to No.3 while a 14- and 15-year-old amateur. Wie played six LPGA majors since February 2004 (the ranking cutoff), and finished in the top four three times and never worse than a tie for 23rd.
"I'm sure there are people aiming to be No.2 or No.3," Wie said. "Obviously, Annika has a pretty big target on her back. All I can do is play as hard as I can."
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