Bighorn's Canyon Course and Michelle Wie. The challenging golf course and the challenge-seeking teenager reunite this October at the by-invitation-only, internationally televised Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert — Wie's first tournament as a professional.

Wie, the slender but strong, 6-foot-1-inch amateur sensation from Honolulu commands respect from top names in golf on the men's and women's tour. Off the links, she earns admiration for her beyond-her-years poise and genuineness from prominent business leaders, including Warren Smith, general manager at Bighorn.
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Wie happily accepted her second invitation to compete in the 20-player Sam sung World Championship with a purse of $850,000. In her debut last year, she tied for 13th place. After a shaky start with opening-round scores of 74 and 72, Wie regrouped with weekend rounds of 67 and 70, for a total five-under-par 283. Her weekend total of 137 was second only by one stroke to Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam's 136.

"I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO RECEIVE THIS INVITATION BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THIS WAS ONE OF THE NICEST TOURNAMENTS ON THE LPGA TOUR."
                                  — MICHELLE WIE

Sorenstam earned her unmatched fourth Samsung championship last year by a three-stroke margin over runner-up Grace Park. The Bighorn Canyons Course delivers success and a comfortable home feel for Sorenstam, who owns property at the exclusive club and who also teamed up with Tiger Woods in 2001 to defeat David Duval and Karrie Webb in The Battle At Bighorn.

AT A GLANCE BORN: Oct. 11, 1989, in Honolulu, Hawaii EDUCATION: Junior at Punahou High School MILESTONES: Age   4: Started playing golf Age 10: Shot a 64 on a par-72 regulation golf course Age 11: Won the Hawaii Women's Stroke Play Championship Age 12: Became the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA tournament by qualifying in the LPGA Takefuji Classic Age 13: Finished ninth at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Pancho Mirage Age 14: Became the youngest player to play at the Curtis Cup, winning two singles matches to help the United States defeat Great Britain and Ireland Age 15: Played in her second Sony Open; missed the cut, but finished ahead of 14 PGA Tour players To Date: Competed in seven LPGA tournaments in 2005, including a second-place finish at Havre de Grace in Maryland and fourth at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

"I was really happy to receive this invitation because I felt like this was one of the nicest tournaments out there on the LPGA," says Wie. "I feel privileged that the tournament gave me this opportunity to play with the best."

Wie is well aware of the Canyon Course's special challenge: its unpredictable and unforgiving greens designed by the legendary Tom Fazio.

"Last year, it was difficult to stop the balls close to holes because the greens were so hard and fast," she says. "The golf course was challenging, but it was also very fun to play. Hopefully, I can play more consistent rounds than last year."

Wie delights in being called the Tiger Woods of the LPGA, but consider this fact: She played in her first PGA event at age 14, two years ahead of Woods. She enjoys playing with such pros as Sorenstam, Park, and Juli Inkster, as well as PGA players like Ernie Els and Davis Love III.

"My favorite player is Ernie Els," she admits. "I just love watching him swing the golf club. I played with him twice before and he is such a cool guy. I have definitely learned a lot from playing with Grace, Annika, and Juli, too."

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Warren Smith, who shares the same birthday as Wie, describes her as a "young lady who is very sweet and a little shy. My wife and I were happy to provide our three-bedroom guest house to her and her parents last year. From the guest house, it is only about 60 seconds by golf cart to the Canyons Course."

Smith's two dogs — Sam, a golden retriever, and Willie, a terrier mix — knew a canine lover when they first eyed Wie and would cajole her into tossing tennis balls to them each day when she returned from practicing or playing the course.

"I watched her practice before the tournament last year and, in my opinion, Michelle has a better chance than many to win this year," Smith says. "Annika and some of the other long-hitters like Michelle will have the opportunity to eagle some holes."

Smith adds that the Samsung World Championship marks the 10th international tournament to be staged at Bighorn. Last year, the Samsung alone — which is televised around the world — also generated more than 2,000 print articles about Bighorn and Palm Desert.

"Our recognition is now global, and the response to Bighorn by buyers has been overwhelming," Smith says. "Bighorn has become one of the best courses in the world; [that's the] feedback we regularly receive from our residents and guests."

Wie is also a fan of Palm Desert. During her time off the links, she looks forward to shopping and touring the city.

"I love visiting Palm Desert because all of the people have been so nice and they make you feel like you're at home, says Wie, who also visits her cousins here every Christmas.

A junior at Punahou High School, Wie hits the books like she hits her drives off the tee. A nearly straight-A student, she shoulders a heavy academic load that includes classes in advanced pre-calculus, chemistry and Japanese.

"I WATCHED HER PRACTICE BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT LAST YEAR AND, IN MY OPINION, MICHELLE HAS A BETTER CHANCE THAN MANY TO WIN THIS YEAR."
                                  — WARREN SMITH

Somehow, she squeezes in time to be a teen and watch reality shows (Making the Band and Inferno 2), catch her favorite actor (Johnny Depp) at the movies, and keep up on the latest music by The Vines and Jamie Cullum.

But come Oct. 11, when Wie turns 16, her sights will focus on long drives, solid chips, on-target putts — and slices of birthday cake.

"I am excited for my 16th birthday," she says. "I will be spending my birthday with my cousins. When I get back to Hawaii, I am going to take my driver license test."

Wie already knows how to drive on the golf course. And her biggest goal is to compete one day in the Masters. She offers this final comment aimed at her teenage peers:

"Dream big and you will reach the sky; dream small and your feet will never get off the ground."