Sony Corporation and the PGA Tour fulfilled two of Hawai'i's most compelling golf wishes yesterday, officially confirming that the Sony Open in Hawai'i will be played at Waialae Country Club through 2010, and Michelle Wie will play in it in January.

At a press conference in Gov. Linda Lingle's office, Sony Senior Vice President Masao Morita announced a four-year extension of Sony's tournament partnership with the PGA Tour and Friends of Hawai'i Charities. Then he characterized Wie's third sponsor's exemption in as many years as "also a big announcement, (but) it may not be a big secret."

Sony and Wie, the 16-year-old golf prodigy from Punahou, signed a five-year sponsorship agreement worth up to $5 million annually when she turned pro three weeks ago. Her inclusion in the PGA's first full-field event of the year was all but a given before that, after she created incredible buzz for the tournament the last two years.

"Two years ago, when we (first) gave an exemption to Michelle Wie, from the Japanese corporate standpoint she was just a local hotshot kid," Morita recalled. "We weren't sure how good she was. But we were told she had potential.

"Two years after that there is no doubt she is a great talent and a great player."

Wie's controversial disqualification 10 days ago at her first pro tournament, the Samsung World Championship, has only seemed to enhance the rare air she breathes. Asked what it felt like to be only the second-most well-known female from Hawai'i — after a 16-year-old — Lingle could only laugh and recall what she liked best about Wie and the youth baseball champions the governor recently honored.

"I told them all the same thing," Lingle said. "It's not just that they win, it's how they win. They reflect us in the very best possible light. If they don't win, they don't cry baby about it. They are good sports. They speak well to our schools.

"In her (Wie's) case, it's obvious. With this recent situation with the disqualification ... it's hard to handle at 60, let alone 16, and she handled it beautifully. I'm very proud to be No. 2 behind Michelle Wie."

Sony's extension deal was surprising only in its swiftness. The tour is in the process of negotiating a new television contract. About half the title sponsors are waiting to see what happens, according to tour vice president Ric Clarson.

Clarson said negotiations with Maui's Mercedes Championships are "positive." He expects an extension announcement "early next year." The 2006 tournament, which invites all the 2005 tournament champions, will be Jan. 5 to 8 at Kapalua Plantation.

Gary Planos, Kapalua's Vice President for Golf Operations, wasn't comfortable with a timetable yesterday, but felt "positive" the tour's Mercedes-Sony season-opening punch would continue, with no obstacles in sight. The combination has been in place since Mercedes moved from California to Maui in 1999, and Sony took over sponsorship of the Hawaiian Open the same year.

"There are strong synergies there with back-to-back events and I think the tour realizes it," Planos said. "They made a great decision in the late '90s to put two events here at the beginning of the year. It's still a perk for the players to come play the champions-only Mercedes Championships, then fly 25 minutes to play again."

Clarson confirmed yesterday that the tour is "delighted" with its season-openers, which play out in prime time and brilliant weather to a chilled Mainland. He said the restructuring being discussed is focused on the conclusion of the tour season and has never involved moving Sony.

"Since Sony came on board, if you look at the winners here it's a virtual who's who, with defending champion Vijay Singh and two-time winner Ernie Els," Clarson said. "To have a prodigy like Michelle Wie playing in the tournament again is nothing but national and international exposure for the tournament.

"I think it's a perfect fit with her roots here in Hawai'i. She has played here in the past. It's almost like having one of your children grow up. Our players are supportive of it."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.