HONOLULU -- Michelle Wie will try once again to make the cut against the men on the PGA TOUR, this time at the Sony Open in Hawaii on her home island of Oahu in January.

Wie said she doesn't mind that Sony, one of her main sponsors, granted her an exemption on Tuesday that allows her to play without having to qualify.

"I like exemptions. It's like somebody says, 'Here, you can have $100,' or I can work for $100," Wie said to laughter at a news conference in state Governor Linda Lingle's office. "I'm very thankful for Sony for believing in me."

For the 17-year-old Wie, who is entering her second year as a professional, this will be her fourth straight Sony Open in Hawaii. She has failed to make the cut in six tries so far on the PGA TOUR.

Wie is still looking for her elusive first professional victory, either by winning a PGA TOUR event like the Sony Open in Hawaii or scoring a LPGA Tour victory. The Sony Open in Hawaii will be at Waialae Country Club from Jan. 8 to Jan. 14.

Wie said she hasn't decided what other events she will play in next year, including Hawaii LPGA tournaments like the Fields Open and the SBS Open, where she finished second last year.

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