HONOLULU - The amateur records of Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie are nothing alike.

Woods whipped up on boys his age, finishing his career without pay by becoming the first male to win three straight U.S. Amateur titles. Wie sought out the best competition, which took her to professional tournaments from the time she was 12. She never won, but her feats are no less amazing.

The one thing they do have in common is their tremendous marketability.

"What's similar in her and Tiger is, they have instantaneous worldwide appeal," said Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf.

Dressed in hot pink Nike apparel, Wie became the richest female golfer Wednesday before a crowded conference room when she announced she was turning pro, six days before her 16th birthday.

"I've just been thinking about it for a really long time, but it all came down to the last few months," Wie said. "I felt ready. I felt mature enough. I felt really comfortable ... I felt it was the right time."

Wie signed multiyear endorsement deals with Nike and Sony said to be worth as much as $10 million a year. Her first act as a professional was to give some of it back.

She pledged $500,000 to the U.S. Golf Hurricane Relief Fund, set up by the major golf organizations.

Wie is represented by the William Morris Agency and agent Ross Berlin, who said the young star is his only client.

"Michelle understands the responsibility that comes from such exposure," he said.

The 6-foot golfing prodigy will carry only Nike clubs and wear the swoosh on her cap and clothing, with the Sony logo on her golf bag. Other companies are sure to follow in the Wie sweepstakes, banking on the Hawaii teen who has been competing against golf's best players since she was in the seventh grade with braces.