Michelle Wie: In early January, the 17-year-old high school star showed up at the Sony Hawaiian Open with her right wrist bandaged, which Wie called a “little injury.’’ She wasn’t sure if it was sprained or strained, or perhaps a pinched nerve. But last week, Wie fell while jogging, and now her left wrist is definitely sprained and in a hard cast.

Wie, who had been expected to play in the Safeway International at Superstition Mountain Golf Club in mid-March, is now a big question mark. Even though doctors are saying she might not return to action for four to six weeks, there still might be time to make it to the Safeway.

Tom Maletis, president of the Portland-based Tournament Golf Foundation that runs the Safeway International, said this week that he still has hopes Wie will be in the 144-player field. In fact, he’s holding back a sponsor’s exemption just for her, “if she’s healthy.’’

“She really wants to come out here and play again,’’ said Maletis, noting Wie competed here in 2004 and 2005, but missed last year when the tournament did not precede the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA’s first major championship of the season. “In fact, her dad, B.J. (Wie), asked me to hold off on (the sponsor’s exemption) for two weeks, to see if she gets better. Obviously, I said ‘Yes.’ ’’

This season, the Safeway International will be played on March 22-25, with the Kraft Nabisco the following week (March 29-April 1). That gives Wie approximately five weeks to get better. Given her doctors said four to six weeks a week ago, that means she could play here in the East Valley if she gets her doctors’ OK.

“Michelle should get the cast off in 10 days, and we’ll know more then,’’ Maletis said. “It sure would be great if she decides to play here. I know the fans that come out to our tournament would certainly love that.’’

In 2004, Wie finished in a tie for 19 th at the Safeway International, and was fourth the following week at the Kraft Nabisco. In 2005, she finished tied for 12 th at the Safeway International and was 12 th at the Kraft Nabisco. Last year when she skipped the Safeway International, she missed a 10-foot putt that on the final hole that would have put her in a playoff after sharing the lead on the back nine with eventual champion Karrie Webb.

ON TOUR

Tough ticket: The WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, which is set for next week at the Gallery Golf Club near Tucson, is sold out for the weekend, organizers announced Wednesday. A few tickets for Monday’s and Tuesday’s practice rounds remain at $30, as well as $50 tickets for tournament play Wednesday through Friday. To hook up, visit www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

L.A. glitter: Funny how the FBR Open offered a purse of $6 million and got three of the top-10 players in the world, while this week’s Nissan Open in Los Angeles is a $5.2 million purse with eight of the top 10 in its field. Hey, maybe it’s not about the money!

NOTEWORTHY

Amateur time: Today is the deadline for the Safeway International Amateur Open, which will be contested Feb. 22 at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club. The event, which is open to any non-pro with a handicap of 2.0 or less, costs $75. The winner

will earn a berth into the tournament, while the next two highest finishers will get spots in the Monday qualifier on March 19. To enter, visit www.safewaygolf.com.

Aces wild: The 14 th annual Achen-Gardner/Chandler Rotary Club Million Dollar Hole-In-One contest is set Friday through Sunday, as well as the weekends of Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4, at San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler. Contestants can purchase balls at $1 each for the sessions, which run from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day. Winners come back on March 4 for the semifinals and finals.

Start your engines: The J.J. Yeley Charity Golf Classic will bring some of NASCAR’s biggest names to the East Valley on March 8 for a fund-raiser at Kierland Golf Club. Kyle Petty, Juan Pablo Montoya and Denny Hamlin will join Yeley and Suns broadcaster Dan Majerle for the event, which benefits the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Foursomes cost $2,000 and can be registered by calling (623) 463-5600.