In 2003, Michelle Wie, then in junior high, made it through qualifying to earn a spot in the U.S. Women's Open. The following year the USGA gave her a special exemption into the field. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, she finished close enough to the top to automatically qualifying for the following year's Open.
But not in 2007. Last year, in the midst of a disastrous season, Wie withdrew from the U.S. Women's Open. And so in 2008, with the USGA not offering another exemption, the only way for Wie to get into the Open is to go back to qualifying.
And that's what she's doing. Wie is among the more than 1,200 entrants for U.S. Women's Open qualifying, the USGA announced. Wie is exempt from local qualifying, and so will only have to play the sectional stage. She'll take her shot in the sectional qualifier on June 9 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.
Also according to the USGA, the youngest golfer to enter qualifying is 11-year-old Samantha Wagner of Easton, Pa.; and the oldest is 62-year-old Barbara Israel of New York, N.Y.
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