SILVIS, Ill. — She is 16, playing at the highest level and trying to make history. Michelle Wie could be pardoned for feeling overwhelmed, except she seems quite comfortable.

"I guess being from Hawaii, being very relaxed, I just have a 'whatever' mentality," she said. "I just have fun with it. I'm very grateful, and I feel very lucky that people like watching me play."

There is little doubt who the fans want to see at the John Deere Classic, which starts today.

Making her fifth PGA Tour start, Wie will try again to become the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to make the cut. And she's back at the site of last year's near-miss.

A year ago, Wie made the turn at 4 under on the second day. But she double-bogeyed her 15th hole and bogeyed her 16th, finished at 1-under 141 and missed the cut by two strokes.

Wie isn't the only story at the John Deere.

There's Chris DiMarco, reeling from the death of his mother last week while trying to boost his Ryder Cup standing.

"I want to get back out there, get that feeling of having a chance to win," said DiMarco, whose last win on the PGA Tour was in Phoenix four years ago. "I'd certainly love to have that chance to win here. With her at my side, it would be great."

And if he made the Ryder Cup team, his mom would "be right on top of my golf bag." Ranked 20th in the Ryder Cup standings, DiMarco earned 2Z\x points for the U.S. two years ago. And his 15-foot putt won the Presidents Cup last fall.

"My game is back; it's just a matter of getting it in now," said DiMarco, who injured his ribs while skiing in March. "As far as hitting the ball, I really feel like I'm there again."