Michelle Wie adds an extra dimension to the Omega European Masters which begins at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland on Thursday morning.
The 16-year-old from Hawaii is playing in her tenth men’s event and is looking to make the halfway cut for just the second time. Wie previously made the cut in an Asian Tour event in South Korea earlier this year after several near misses.
Although she may adorn the first two days, the bookmakers are sceptical that will stick around for the full 72 holes. Paddy Power have her at 4-9 to miss the cut and 13-8 to make it, and that looks a fair reflection of her chance.
Aside from Wie’s obvious disadvantage of facing the men’s greater strength, Sergio Garcia, the tournament favourite, offered an interesting observation on her prospects this week.
With the tournament played at altitude, the ball flies much farther in the mountain air, and Garcia noted that Wie tends to hit the ball flatter than ideal to take advantage of the conditions.
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Wie has been drawn to play with Nick Dougherty, of England, and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, of Spain, in the first two rounds, and neither man will want the indignity of being beaten by Wie. The match is off at 12.40 BST.
Dougherty, who has missed the last nine halfway cuts, is 5-4 favourite with Ladbrokes to come out best over the first 18 holes, with Fernandez-Castano 11-8 and Wie 3-1.