Michelle Wie, who is struggling through one of her worst seasons on the LPGA Tour, said she still aspires to play in men's golf tournaments.

"It's still my goal," said Wie who is entered in the LPGA's State Farm Classic which begins on Thursday. "That's why I started playing golf. It's what drives me. So it's definitely still in my mind right now."

Wie, who received a sponsor's exemption to play in the $1.7-million event, said she would like to finish in the top five this week.

"All I'm thinking about right now is playing good this week and what can I do to get a top five or be satisfied after this week."

Wie, who turned pro in 2005, is unique in the sport because she is not a member of any professional tour. She has said previously she would like to join the men's PGA Tour full time.

But the Stanford University student hasn't had the kind of season on the ladies tour that would translate well over to the men's side.

The 18-year-old American missed the cut at last month's US Women's Open by six strokes after shooting an opening round eight-over 81.

Wie has never won a 72-hole stroke play tournament. So she knows she is overdue for a win and hopes it comes against this week's 144-player field that also includes defending champ Sherri Steinhauer.

Most of the big names have decided to skip the Springfield event but Christina Kim, Yani Tseng, Nancy Lopez and Beth Bader are entered.

So if there was ideal time for Wie to break out of her slump this might be the week.

"I need to put all my energy into the present right now in order to try to play better and win," Wie said.

"So I'm not going to think about too far into the future. Right now I'm in season, and all I'm thinking about is how am I going to get the ball on the fairway or how am I going to make the ball on the green or make this putt."

AFP

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