The LPGA Tour made an exception yesterday for 17-year-old Morgan Pressel, accepting her as a member instead of making her wait until she turns 18 three months after the season begins.

The decision means that Pressel, a senior at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, Fla., can play wherever she is eligible and have her earnings count on the money list and toward the LPGA Tour's new playoff system that splits the year in two parts.

"This is good news," said her grandfather, Herb Krickstein. "We're very happy about it."

Pressel likely won't play more than a half-dozen times before she graduates because of demands at school, although Krickstein said she might start the season in Hawai'i at the SBS Open because "that's not a bad place to be."

Honolulu's Michelle Wie, 16, finished tied for second at last year's SBS Open at Turtle Bay. Wie is not expected to join the LPGA Tour until she turns 18.

Former commissioner Ty Votaw rejected Pressel's petition in June that she be allowed to join the LPGA Tour, if she qualifies, before turning 18. Pressel easily earned her card at LPGA Tour qualifying school two weeks ago. She asked the LPGA to reconsider the day after that.

"Morgan is an exceptionally talented young player who will be a terrific addition to the 2006 LPGA Tour," commissioner Carolyn Bivens said.

Pressel is the second teen to receive an exemption from the LPGA's age limit. Votaw allowed Aree Song to join at age 17 two years ago, although she had already graduated high school.