The 2005 Sony Open kicks off Thursday. The news this year? Pretty much the same as last: teenage phenom Michelle Wie is in the field and looking to make the cut. Last year Michelle came within a shot, shooting even-par 72-68 (and beating 47 men in the process).
The Sony Open, contested along the windy Hawaiian Waialae Country Club, is the first full-field event of the 2005 PGA Tour season. Waialae is one of the Hawaiian native Wie’s home courses.
Ernie Els, the defending champ, played a practice round with the teen star on Tuesday. Els, known on tour as “The Big Easy” for his long, flowing swing, tagged Michelle with the nickname “The Big Wiesy” during last year’s event.