By Ian Hughes

Wie has the ability to change the face of golf

Remarkably, it is a teenage girl who is tipped to push the limits of the sport.

Michelle Wie is only 14 years old, but she will tee off at the Sony International Open in her adopted homeland of Hawaii on Thursday after being handed a sponsor's exemption.

Wie, the daughter of Korean immigrants, tried to qualify for the tournament a year ago.

Wie eyes cut in Hawaii

She failed but managed a highly creditable 47th place in a field of 97 men, shooting a 73 playing from the men's tees.

The performance was no fluke.

She had already become the youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA tournament - the 2002 Takefuji Classic - aged just 12-years-old.

WIE FACTFILE Born on 10/11/89 Lives in Honolulu, Hawaii Played first 18-hole round aged seven, scoring 14-over-par At 10-years-old: Shoots a 67 Becomes youngest player to qualify for USGA Amateur Championship event Wins Hawaii State Women's Stroke Play Championship, aged 11 At 12-years-old is the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA event Becomes the youngest winner of the US Women's Amateur Public links Championship, aged 13 At 14, plays in the Sony International open - the only woman in the field

And in August last year, she became the youngest ever winner of the US Women's Amateur Public Links.

No wonder she has caught the attention of the world's top golfers, some of whom she will line up against on Thursday.

Defending champion Ernie Els played a practice round with Wie on Tuesday and was hugely impressed.

"Even now she swings the club like no woman I've ever seen," said the South African.

"Hell, when I was 14, I was still playing off three and here's Michelle playing on the Tour."

Wie's swing is truly astonishing and stands up to the very best in the women's game.

In 2003, she made her first appearance in an LPGA major - the Kraft Navisco Championship - and made the tournament's final pairing, playing alongside Annika Sorenstam and eventual winner Patricia Meunier-Lebouc.

Wie's average drive for that event was more than 280 yards, about 25 yards longer than Sorenstam's average.

Davis Love III believes Wie has "one of the best golf swings I've ever seen" while Fred Couples confessed "when you see her hit a golf ball, nothing prepares you for it".

I've grown up and played with some of the best male golfers in the world and she's better at her age now than they were Wie's instructor, Gary Gilchrist

High praise indeed and further indication that a new age of golf may be on the horizon - perhaps an era in which a woman may dominate.

Certainly, Wie has swept all before her so far, breaking all manner of records along the way.

But is it realistic that she could compete with the men?

An ambitious Wie says she wants to play 50% on the LPGA Tour and 50% on the PGA Tour.

And her instructor, Gary Gilchrist, says it is definitely possible.

"I've grown up and played with some of the best male golfers in the world and she's better at her age now than they were," he said.

Els agrees.

"It's all there for her to make it on this tour," he said.

"Give her time to grow stronger and work on her game, and there's no reason why she shouldn't be out there."

It's just a matter of time before she hits her stride - and then the golfing world will really have to watch out Ernie Els

He adds: "To be honest with you, I don't think I've ever seen a lady golfer swing the club as good as Michelle does.

"The basics are pretty much there - posture, ball position, her grip, everything is just perfect, all the talent in the world.

"It's just a matter of time before she hits her stride - and then the golfing world will really have to watch out."

Wie's first test will come this week.

But even if she should fail to make the cut, she will have plenty of time to fulfil her potential.

And there are plenty who feel that potential is unlimited.