KAHUKU — One look at Ai Miyazato and it is obvious the LPGA better help her learn English as quickly as possible. A translator does not do her justice.

Miyazato's LPGA career tees off in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay today at 1:30 p.m. off the Palmer Course's 10th tee. She will be followed, every week, by a media mob unlike anything this tour has seen.

The closest comparison would be Ayako Okamoto, the last Japanese player to win on this tour, capturing 17 tournaments between 1982 and '92. Only this is 2006, with communication at warp speed and outlets multiplying at a dizzying rate.

Miyazato's magnetism is so pervasive, the media room has been expanded by 75 for the SBS Open. Even more chilling, there is currently a 50-foot snow-and-ice sculpture depicting her likeness in Sapporo (she is from Okinawa).

Even that can't capture the sparkle in Miyazato's eyes and the warm laugh that comes easily and often. In the eyes of the media storm, Miyazato is calm, composed and charming, whether you can understand what's coming out of her mouth or not.

"Ai Miyazato is one of the most charismatic young women," said Carolyn Bivens, starting her first full year as LPGA commissioner. "She has a smile that absolutely lights up a room. The caliber of golf she plays ... she says she's 5-feet tall and I doubt that, I think she stretches it a little. Yet when she hits the ball it's unbelievable, and at the same time she is very good interacting with the fans. I think she loves what she's doing. I think she's going to be electric."

The LPGA hopes her juice will help bridge the massive gap between its prize money, prestige and endorsement deals and the PGA Tour's. The prevailing wisdom is that the LPGA's time is now.

Miyazato, 2005 Rookie of the Year Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Hawai'i's Michelle Wie (not playing this week) are bursting onto a tour with a firm foundation set by pioneers and polished by the likes of Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam (also not here). Bivens sees "us taking off at the top of a crescendo."

"Is it too much hype?" she asks the air, then answers her own question. "I think we're going to exceed all expectations."

Miyazato is a crucial, global element. At 20, she has won 11 Japan LPGA events — her first came before she turned pro in 2003 — and her media following at November's Qualifying School was larger than the gallery.

Miyazato won by a record 12 shots. "Q-school was a big confidence booster for me," she said through an interpreter. "But also, I made a lot of friends there so it should be an easier transition."

Friends are big in Miyazato's world. She follows the Vision 54 philosophy created by the Swedish junior program, with the ultimate goal of 18 birdies in a round, and even signs autographs "Ai 54." She is not shy about her vision of becoming a "world-class player while playing against world-class players." But, "at the same time, making friends is also important."

She has lots of friends — real and imagined — in Japan. Her following even has a name ("Ai-Chan Fever). The women's tour often doubles the TV ratings of the men. One of the things Miyazato most looks forward to about playing on the LPGA tour is that she can now pursue her passion for shopping without wearing a disguise.

Even her peers, who don't seem to be intimidated by anyone or anything, sense something special.

"She's going to be huge," Creamer said. "Ai and I are very good friends, we're very close. She's an awesome girl, so cool, so neat to be around. It's so nice to know she has so much support coming from Japan. I think that influence will be huge on the LPGA tour.

"It's pretty exciting to see her. You see 30 other people coming (with her) and I think it's pretty cool. But I don't know how she does it. I really don't."

Pressel, who starts her professional career today at age 17, calls it "crazy."

"She's obviously brought a huge crowd with her and that has brought tremendous attention to the tour," she said. "It's crazy. It's crazy to watch. There were camera crews waiting for her when she went into rookie orientation and when she came out. It was just a little too much. I feel a little bad for her, but she says she loves it."

Then Pressel, who announced a deal with Polo Ralph Lauren yesterday, shook her head as reality hit: "That much attention," she said pointedly, "is huge."

NOTES

First and second alternates Charlotta Sorenstam and Tracy Hanson are in the 132-player field after Yong Jo and Kim Williams withdrew.

Sakura Yokomine received one exemption for next week's inaugural Fields Open in Hawai'i. Yokomine, accompanied by a multitude of media, finished 17th at last year's Hawai'i Pearl Open. Fields' other exemptions were given to Michelle Wie, Yukai and Yumiko Baba, Hiromi Mogi, Shiho Ohyma, Michiko Hattori and Riko Higashi.

Paula Creamer, Juli Inkster and Morgan Pressel will conduct a junior golf clinic Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Ko Olina Golf Club practice range in conjunction with the Fields Open. They will describe and perform shots, and talk about the integrity and fun of the game. There is no admission charge. For more information, call Ko Olina Golf Club, 676-5300.

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Paula Creamer, asked how much easier it would be in her second try at Turtle Bay:

"Last year I was incredibly nervous here. It was my first professional event. And now I feel all macho because I'm a veteran, not a rookie."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.