But they have managed it and, if publicity is the name of the game, well done to them for that.

Not quite sure who the "legends" of the tournament title are - last year's winner Steve Flesch is not even back to defend because he is among those in Akron - but by inviting Michelle Wie they have generated headlines galore.

Despite it being only two years since Wie finished third, fifth and third again in three of the women's four majors the 18-year-old's dramatic slump since then meant there was no place for her at the Ricoh British Open.

With Annika Sorenstam playing her final major before going into retirement and Lorena Ochoa looking to repeat her stunning success at St Andrews a year ago, the event does not need Wie and no invite was issued to her.

But she wants to play somewhere and while the majority opinion is that she would be best served by stepping down a level or two, the young Hawaiian still feels an urge to mix it with the men.

And it does not seem to matter to her who agrees with that decision and who does not.

Seven attempts, seven missed cuts is the story so far on the US Tour and after all the excitement of her just missing out by one shot in the 2004 Sony Open when aged just 14, she has come nowhere close to that since.

Nor has she won on the women's circuit in over 50 starts now.

"I wish I had no critics, but I'm realistic. People will write negative things about me," she said.

"The only thing I can control is myself. A good score will resolve everything.

"I'm honoured to be here playing against such high-calibre competition. Hopefully, I'll play well - I think it'll be a good test of my game.

"I'm not going to focus on making the cut. My goal is to make less bogeys and more birdies.

"Focus on the little things and it'll take care of itself."

Wie also stated that she will "have to use my head to stay calm" and after her latest misadventure she needs clear thinking off the course as well as on it.

Just when it looked as if she might pick up her first trophy as a professional at the LPGA's State Farm Classic two weeks ago she was disqualified - not for the first time in her career either.

Wie was all bubbly at only one shot off the lead with a round to go in Illinois, but was then told she had not signed her second-round scorecard.

Although the card in question did eventually have her signature on it Wie had already left the scoring area when her blunder was pointed out to her - and that was too late according to the officials who investigated the matter while she was playing her third round.

"I don't know why or how it happened, but I went from pretty high to pretty low in two seconds," she commented.

"It was a lesson learned. At least I learned it at 18 instead of later. I'm sure other players have had learning experiences like this."

Sue Witters, the Tour's director of tournament competitions, described Wie as looking "like a little kid after you tell them there's no Santa Claus".

At 18 Wie is no longer a little kid and right from the start of her pro career she has had a lot to deal with. She was disqualified from her very first event over a wrong drop controversy that only came to light the following day.

There has been an injury and her loss of form. From being second to Sorenstam on the world rankings two years ago she is now 244th.

She also avoided a possible ban by withdrawing from an event when in danger of scoring at least 88 - a rule on the LPGA Tour, but not elsewhere.

Told of her place in the Reno field, US Tour player Jay Williamson said it was "a joke".

To that Wie responded: "I don't know who he is. I don't even read that stuff."

Back in 2004 she and Ernie Els practised together before the Sony Open.

"She's a true phenomenon - she's got a hell of a future," he said.

"I don't think I've ever seen a lady golfer swing the club as good as Michelle does.

"Posture, ball position, grip, everything is just perfect. All the talent in the world and it's just going to be a matter of time before she really hits her stride.

"The golfing world will really have to watch out then."

Not surprisingly, the contracts she later signed were for millions. Her career has still to hit the heights to match such deals, but what she hopes to show this week is that it is not on the floor either.