Wie, Annika in France

EVIAN, France ( AP) -- Michelle Wie hopes to have better luck competing against women this week at the Evian Masters.

Wie lost in the quarterfinals last week in the men's U.S. Amateur Public Links in Lebanon, Ohio, falling short in her bid to become the first woman to get an invitation to the Masters. But starting Wednesday, the 15-year-old goes against familiar competition -- including two-time champion Annika Sorenstam

"I was really sad to lose in the quarters," Wie said Tuesday. "But it wasn't like I played horrible the last day. I learn so much playing with men. I just pick small things up subconsciously."

Wie missed the cut in two PGA Tour events she has played in -- narrowly falling short in the John Deere Classic -- and was tied for the third-round lead in this year's U.S. Women's Open.

"I've just been so close all year long," Wie said. "So close to it. I just have to get over that last big step to win. It's hard."

In the $2.5 million Evian Masters, Sorenstam will be the favorite -- again. The Swede won the first two majors of the year before struggling at the U.S. Women's Open.

"I have had two weeks off and I'm rested," said Sorenstam, who last week won the ESPY award as female athlete of the year.

"To be selected among all the sports -- I believe Maria Sharapova was nominated -- to beat her, obviously a crowd favorite and very popular athlete, well it means a lot," Sorenstam said.

Sorenstam then visited the Playboy Mansion for a party hosted by Hugh Hefner

"It was a fun get together," she said. "I thought, 'Why not go have a look? That was the first time for me."'