Wie turns professional before 16th birthday

American schoolgirl Michelle Wie, golf's most celebrated teenager since Tiger Woods, announced her long-awaited decision to turn professional on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old, who has set her sights on becoming the first woman to play in a men's major, made the announcement at a news conference at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel near Waialae Country Club, Honolulu.

"I can finally say I'm a pro today," said a smiling Wie before attending her regular classes at Punahou High School within an hour of the news conference. "It's really neat to say that.

"I'm very excited. I want to work hard to become the best golfer in the world."

Wie plans to stay on at Punahou High School for two more years while combining a limited playing schedule in professional golf.

She has already said she will not challenge the LPGA Tour's policy that members be 18 years old and instead intends to play the 2006 season on sponsor's exemptions.

According to several media sources, she has signed endorsement deals with Nike and Sony worth $10 million a year, making her golf's richest female and one of the highest paid athletes in women's sport.

World number one Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, who has won nine career majors, earns around $6 million a year in endorsements.

The only female athletes believed to earn more than $10m a year are tennis players Maria Sharapova (around $16.6m) and Serena Williams (roughly $11.5m).