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No allowance needed Oct. 5: Michelle Wie, 15, the biggest young sensation since Tiger Woods, announces that she is turning professional and will donate $500,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief.

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Wie still has two years left at Punahou School, and will play only a limited schedule until she graduates. But her marketing appeal is above any other woman in golf — a 6-footer of Korean heritage who was raised in Hawaii, has loads of charisma and power and a captivating smile to boot.

“What’s similar in her and Tiger is they have instantaneous, worldwide appeal,” Wood said. “Talk to the guys in Europe. She’s going to be huge there. She’s just a great story. She’s a great Nike story. If there’s anybody that can personify ’Just Do It,’ it’s Michelle.”

Wie is not expected to join the LPGA Tour until she turns 18, although she can play up to eight of its events a year. She also will play a few times on the PGA Tour, and against men and women overseas.

“Michelle is a young woman with phenomenal talent who brings the promise of incredible performance and a marketability that will draw fans of all ages from all corners of the world into the sport of golf like never before,” LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens said.

Wie’s endorsement package is about $3 million more than what Sorenstam gets each year, even though the Swede has won 66 times on the LPGA Tour and nine majors.

Asked if she had any advice for the teen prodigy, Sorenstam said:

“So far, I think she is doing pretty good on her own. I think the key though is ... it needs to be fun. It’s very important to have a passion for the game and play golf for the right reasons.”

Woods has never played with Wie, but does not question her ability.

“When I was 16, I wasn’t even thinking about turning pro. I was just hoping to get into college somewhere,” he said. “She has a talent, and has been good enough to make a giant step like that.”

The first big step came Wednesday, with an announcement everyone knew was coming.

Her parents were there, of course. B.J. Wie took pictures of his only child as she sat on the stage.

“Bringing her down the stairs, it felt like it was a wedding,” he said. “It was a strange feeling. Becoming a professional means she will have more responsibility. She has to be able to handle much higher expectations. She’ll have extra pressure.”

And the money?

Her father already has set up a trust that Wie can access when he feels she is ready. But he noted that she already has made sound stock investments using money she earned playing friendly matches against his pals.

“Her purse was filled with $5 bills,” Dad said.