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New York, October 5, 2005—In its annual "Power" issue, which this year focuses on influential figures in leisure, sports, and entertainment, FORTUNE profiles teenage golf phenomenon Michelle Wie, who turns pro today, celebrates her 16th birthday next week, and is soon scheduled to play in professional tournaments—against both men and women. No wonder Wie is causing a stir in the sports world. "At the cusp of womanhood, she is about to become the next million-dollar baby of sports," says senior writer Katrina Brooker. "She is about to be so rich, so famous, that a year from now the girl teeing up her ball today will no longer exist." The story appears in the October 17 issue of FORTUNE, on newsstands October 10, and at www.fortune.com.

"Michelle, as an amateur, has already rocked the golf world," says Brooker. "At the age of 10, she was the youngest player ever to qualify for the Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. At 13 she won it—becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history." Her aim? Not simply to be the greatest female golfer, but to be the greatest golfer, period. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson—that's who she views as the competition. "As a professional, she plans to play on both the PGA and LPGA tours. If she succeeds, she will make history," says Brooker.

For this reason, major advertisers from automakers to cosmetics companies are after her. As FORTUNE went to press, Wie was close to wrapping up a five-year deal with Nike with an annual base salary of at least $5 million plus incentives that could pay out far more, sources close to the negotiations say. A slightly smaller deal with Sony was also close to completion. In her first year as a pro, with sponsorship deals, overseas appearences and prize money combined, she could make $10 million or more. "That's huge," says Brooker, "considering that the No. 1 female golfer, Annika Sorenstam, will make close to $8 million this year. And it's just the beginning." Tiger Woods, in contrast, will make over $80 million this year.

Wie has a long way to go before she earns that kind of money. Despite many close calls, she has won just one tournament, the Women's Amateur in 2003. As a pro, she will have to show she can fulfill the promise of her amateur career, which will entail some big adjustments.

As for her marketability, "Perhaps no one is more aware of her selling power than Michelle herself," says Brooker. "It's clear that her aim is not to be just a golfer with some nice endorsements.For sure, Michelle Wie will be a pretty package, one that any advertiser would be after. Ultimately, however, she's getting paid to play golf—and win." As Wie turns pro, then, the pressure is on.

Wie QUOTES:
Wie on figuring out what her style is: "My homework assignment is ripping pictures out of Us Weekly—you know, to figure out what my style is going to be." "You know Kate Hudson?—I love her look."

Even when she talks about her career, at times she is more schoolgirl than pro golfer: "My agent says he might be able to arrange for me to meet Brad Pitt!" And after getting an instant message from her cousin in LA: "Omigod! Johnny Depp is getting his hand put, you now, in Hollywood!—I love Johnny Depp."

BJ and Bo, Wie's parents, made it their job to keep Michelle motivated. They used to pay her 25 cents per par hole; now it's $5 per birdie. "Five dollars really motivates me, so think what all this is going to do," Wie said on what's going to be different about going pro.

For further information please contact:
Susan Brown Williams
212-522-0133
susan_williams@timeinc.com

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