John Deere Classic - Sponsor's Exemptions For Michelle Wie

Sponsor's Exemptions For Michelle Wie

Michelle Wie first received a sponsor's exemption to play in the John Deere Classic in 2005, part of her effort to make the cut in a men's professional golf event. The tournament attracted thousands of visitors as fans flocked to see the 15-year-old Wie play. She posted a 70 (−1) in the first round and was four-under for the tournament after 32 holes, but then had a double bogey and bogey on successive holes. Wie finished with two pars to shoot 141 (−1) and missed the cut by two strokes.

Wie received a sponsor's exemption again in 2006; it was her first men's event with a cut since making the cut in a men's tournament for the first time earlier that year in Korea. She finished the first round at 77 (+6), well behind the projected cut line of −2. In the moderate afternoon heat (88 °F (31 °C)) of the second day, she fell two strokes further behind after a double bogey at the 9th hole and withdrew from the tournament, citing heat exhaustion. After receiving treatment at the course medical trailer, Wie departed in an ambulance, as required by state law.