Wie to continue playing men's events

Her regular forays onto the male USPGA and European Tours have captured the attention of many headline writers over the last twelve months or so and the USA's Michelle Wie is going to continue to provide them with column inches next season, she announced yesterday.

The prodigiously talented 17 year-old from Hawaii (pictured) has recently attracted headlines for the wrong reasons during her last few attempts to match the top male golfers, with many in the media quick to criticise her poor performances and the lack of length in some of her skirts. She remains defiant, however, and is eager to prove that her attempts to make waves on the men's tours will not be in vain.

Last month the rookie professional finished last on her European Tour debut in Switzerland and also finished in bottom place at the Lumber Classic on the USPGA Tour. She missed the cut at the Sony Open in January, and was also poised to miss the cut in July's John Deere Classic before she was forced to withdraw with heatstroke.

Her record on the LPGA is much better, though she still hasn't managed to win a title. However, in seven LPGA starts this season she has managed six top-five finishes - consistency that suggests a maiden victory is not far away.

"I'm going to work at playing on the men's tours," she said yesterday.

"It's going to be a long process and I'm not going to achieve it overnight. Hopefully I'm going to play in a lot more men's events next season and have some success. I've really enjoyed 2006. In your first professional year you're never really ready for it, no matter how much you try to prepare. It was hectic, but fun. I can't imagine it being any other way."