Golf prodigy Michelle Wie on Wednesday announced she is turning pro after 12 years as an amateur.

Wie on Tuesday made the announcement at a news conference in Hawaii.

To turn 16 next week, she will make her professional debut on the LPGA Tour at the Samsung World Championship in California next week.

Wie has already signed endorsement deals worth a reported ten million dollars a year with Nike and Sony.

In her first act as a pro, she also pledged 500,000 dollars to the U.S. Golf Hurricane Relief Fund.

Wie has played in 24 LPGA events, finishing second at this year's LPGA Championship to Annika Sorenstam and tying for third at the Women's British Open.

She cannot join the LPGA Tour until she turns 18, but can play in a maximum eight LPGA Tour events in each of the next two years.

Wie will also likely play on the men's PGA Tour and in men's events overseas.