ELMSFORD, N.Y. (May 15, 2006) – Michelle Wie was the medalist today at U.S. Open Local Qualifying at the Turtle Bay Resort’s Palmer Course in Oahu, Hawaii. She shot an even-par 72 to lead the field of 40 amateurs and professionals and will move on to Sectional Qualifying at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J. on Monday, June 5th.  Wie becomes the first woman to make it to Sectional Qualifying for the U.S. Open.

Wie made her mark as an amateur on the LPGA Tour last year with top-five finishes in both the Women’s British Open and the LPGA Championship.  After turning pro in October of 2005, Wie received her second sponsor’s exemption for the Sony Open in Hawaii, where she missed the cut after shooting rounds of 79-68.  She entered the 2006 LPGA season ranked third in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, and two weeks ago made her first cut at a men’s professional event at the Asian Tour’s SK Telecom Open in South Korea.  She finished in a tie for 35th place.  Wie recently accepted a special exemption into the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open.

The U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying round will be held at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J. on Monday, June 5, 2006.  All players who qualify at Canoe Brook will move on to the U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y. on June 15-18, 2006.