South Korea gives rapturous welcome to Wie

American golfer Michelle Wie received a rapturous reception last weekend when she arrived in South Korea, her parents' home country, for her latest brush with male opposition this week.

The Hawaiian-born 16-year-old, the top draw at the Asian Tour's SK Telecom Open at the Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon starting on Thursday, was met by hundreds of reporters, cameramen and well-wishers.

"I never imagined this many people would show up to welcome me," Yonhap News quoted Wie as telling a news conference.

"I'm so glad to be back. I want to try lots of Korean food."

Wie is set to appear at various charity events in the next few days and delivered the first pitch at a baseball game yesterday.

The long-driving Wie will be bidding to make her first halfway cut in eight appearances against the men.

No woman has qualified for the last two rounds on one of the top-level men's tours since Babe Zaharias made the 36-hole cut at the 1945 Los Angeles Open.