American Michelle Wie, the most celebrated teenage player since Tiger Woods, will turn pro on Wednesday, according to Golf World magazine.
The 15-year-old, who has set her sights on becoming the first woman to play in a men's major, is expected to make the announcement at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel near Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
Several media sources claim she will sign endorsement deals with Nike and Sony worth $10 million per year -- which, according to Golf World, would make her the world's richest female golfer. By comparison, world number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, who has won nine career majors, earns around $6 million US in endorsements annually.
15-year-old U.S. player Michelle Wie during the Women's British Open, July 31. (PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images)
Wie is set to make her pro debut in the Samsung World Championship at Palm Desert, CA on Oct. 13, two days after her 16th birthday.
Already one of the biggest attractions in the game, the Korean-American amateur stands out from most of her rivals with her regal bearing, love of fashion and classical swing.
Although yet to win a title at the highest level, Wie came very close this year with three runner-up finishes and a tie for third at the Women's British Open in July.
She made her women's tour debut at the of 12, and isn't shy about wanting to break new ground.
"I want to play on the (men's) PGA Tour as well as the LPGA Tour, and I really want to become the first woman to play in the (U.S.) Masters at Augusta National," she told Reuters earlier this year. "My mind-set is that I can beat everyone in the women's game but I don't really think that I'm the best yet."
