Sports briefs for January 18, 2005

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005 | 10:50 a.m.

Wie poised to make a major move in 2005

Fifteen-year-old Michelle Wie accepted an invitation to play in the 2005 LPGA Championship, making it likely that she will compete in all four of the women's major tournaments this year.

Wie and other top amateurs such as Paula Creamer and Jane Park had not previously played in the McDonald's LPGA Championship because it had been restricted to professionals, but the tournament field has been expanded from 144 to 150 players with an opening for a "leading amateur." The other additional spots will go to the leading players from the Korea LPGA, Japan LPGA and Ladies European tours, plus two LPGA players from a priority list.

"We could not be happier having Michelle Wie in our field," said tournament co-founder Herb Lotman. "This is what ladies' golf is all about -- the best of the best."

The LPGA Championship will be June 9-12 at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace, Md. Annika Sorenstam is the two-time defending champion.

Wie already accepted an amateur invitation to compete in the Kraft Nabisco Championship on March 24-27 and she has an exemption to compete in the U.S. Women's Open in late June because of finishing tied for 13th in the event in 2004. And she is expected to receive an exemption to compete in the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale in July.

Haege gets hired

Former Gladiators coach Frank Haege was hired today as the head coach at Division III Augustana College in Minneapolis. Haege was on the Augsburg offensive coordinator from 1996-98.

Surgery for Reinsdorf

Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf had artery-clearing angioplasty in Chicago after tests found a minor blockage. Reinsdorf, 68, who also owns the Chicago White Sox, was expected to remain hospitalized for a few days.

NHL meeting set

National Hockey League representatives will meet with the league's players union leaders at an undisclosed location Wednesday, which will be the 126th day of the lockout that threatens to wipe out the entire 2004-05 season. Neither side is expected to make a new proposal. They have not met since Dec. 14.

Top owner suspended

Ken Ramsey, an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding owner, was suspended for a week and fined $25,000 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority for trying to pay another owner to scratch a horse from a Dec. 31 race at Turfway Park in Florence.

Replacements gather

A group of 22 replacement players from minor-league teams began training in Carson, Calif., for possible use by the United States in a World Cup qualifier Feb. 9 at Trinidad and Tobago. The players would be used if an agreement is not reached with the national team's union by Feb. 1.