Wie now turns efforts toward women's tour

After failing in her U.S. Open men's bid, the 16-year old still seeks a major.
HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. (AP) -- Playing in the U.S. Open wasn't the only thing on Michelle Wie's mind.
Her chances of getting to Winged Foot might have been better had she stayed in Hawaii for the 36-hole sectional qualifier instead of trying to get one of the 18 spots in a large field of PGA Tour players.
The one spot available at Poipu Bay -- there were only 10 players in that field -- went to 15-year-old Tadd Fujikawa, whom Wie beat by two shots in the first stage of qualifying.
But staying in Hawaii would have meant missing the LPGA Championship, and that means just as much to Wie.
Given a choice between playing against Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open, or winning the LPGA Championship for her first major -- and first victory in three years -- Wie deliberated a few minutes before choosing the trophy.
"I think it would be to win this week," she said at Bulle Rock Golf Club, a course that brings good memories. "Winning this week would be really awesome."
Sorenstam defends again
Annika Sorenstam is the three-time defending champion when the LPGA Championship gets under way today, with designs of becoming the first woman to win the same major four straight times, a feat matched only by Walter Hagen from 1924-27 at the PGA Championship when the format was match play.
Karrie Webb is the only woman with a chance at the Grand Slam this year, having won the Kraft Nabisco Championship with an eagle from 116 yards in the 18th fairway and a 7-foot birdie putt in the playoff.
The hottest player might be Lorena Ochoa, who has won twice and finished second five times this year, putting her atop the money list.
All attention on Wie
But as usual, the attention is squarely on the 16-year-old Wie.
It started Tuesday night, when she threw out the first pitch at the Baltimore Orioles' game against Toronto, which surely didn't go over well with other LPGA Tour players who sat in a private box.
The pressure cranks up Thursday at Bulle Rock, where last year Wie closed with a 69 to finish three shots behind Sorenstam. She never had a serious chance of winning, even though she trimmed five shots off Sorenstam's lead over the final nine holes.
Expectations are higher than ever.
Wie's game has shown improvement, even as her putter remains spotty, having made the cut in an Asian Tour event against the men, and showing remarkable control with her irons at Canoe Brook on Monday during the U.S. Open qualifier.
Tired after Open test
Trying to rest after a 10-hour day on Monday -- "I felt like I was 80 years old when I woke up," she said -- Wie didn't start her practice round until Wednesday afternoon, when gray clouds sent light rain onto the 6,596-yard course.
But as hard as Wie prepared for the U.S. Open qualifier, she spent just as much time last week practicing at Bulle Rock.
"I'm even more motivated to play better this week," she said.