Wie prepared for British challenge

The American, who started making a big name for herself in golf eight years ago, is at Hoylake for the Ricoh British Women's Open starting on Thursday and feeling "like an 80s rock star".

That is because new star Lydia Ko - aged 15 and three weeks on from becoming the youngest-ever winner on the LPGA Tour - has described Wie as an inspiration.

"I haven't met her yet," Wie said. "I would love to and hopefully get to play with her.

"I have a lot of respect for her winning - she really is good."

As for advice for the Korean-born New Zealand amateur she added: "People have high expectations, but they are the same expectations that you have on yourself.

"I would just say play for yourself, don't play for anyone else. It's your game, it's your life and it's your desire.

"Have fun and try your hardest - it's really a game after all."

So much was expected of Wie when she finished ninth on her major debut when only 13, and then almost made the halfway cut when competing against the men at the Sony Open in her native Hawaii.

She was criticised, however, for continuing to accept PGA Tour invites as she struggled more and more.

Injuries played a part in that, but four years into her professional career she finally won her maiden LPGA Tour title - it came just after her 20th birthday - and she has been a member of the last two Solheim Cup sides.

Wie, who graduated from Stanford University this year, has managed only one top-10 finish all season and said: "It's been a really rough year for me, but I definitely have a lot of positives.

"And it's going to be fun this week. A links golf course is a good way to shake things up with the wind going 20 miles an hour."

She believes Hoylake was the first links she ever played. That was while practising for the 2004 Curtis Cup at nearby Formby.