Michelle Wie didn’t earn it.

That’s what detractors say of the former teenage golf sensation. Her fame, fortune, and sponsor’s exemptions came not by winning tournaments, but by way of her runway model looks and enormous golf potential.

Monday in Rockville, however, Wie earned it. Playing 36 holes in sweltering 99-degree heat, Wie, 18, easily qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open. In the morning at Woodmont Country Club, Wie shot a 1-under-par 70. In the afternoon at nearby Manor, she fired a 3-under 68.

“I just really fought through it today,” said Wie of the heat. “I’m really happy to be playing in the U.S. Open. You have to be a good ball striker to play there.”

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Wie was one of 35 players in a field of 122 who qualified Monday in Rockville. The U.S. Women’s Open will be played June 26-29 in Edina, Minn.

With father, B.J., agonizing over every shot and mother, Hyun Kyong, offering unrestrained support (“Great shot, Michelle!”), Wie showed flashes of her former self, ripping tee shots 80 yards past partners Sue Ginter of Wisconsin and Tonya Choate of Nevada.

Wie is trying to recapture the dynamic game that propelled her to top-five finishes in three of the four women’s majors in 2006, but abandoned her last summer when she suffered a wrist injury and missed the cut or withdrew in six of nine professional events.

It took the Stanford University freshman a while to get her power game in gear Monday and her frustration showed. When she hit a poor shot from a bunker on No. 13 at Woodmont South, she took a second swipe at the sand and deposited a chunk of it on the green.

But after playing the first 14 holes in 2-over-par, Wie made three birdies in four holes — sinking putts of 15, 25, and 3 feet — to leave Woodmont on a high.

“I think confidence is a big factor in my game,” said Wie. “I feel like my recovery is coming in the right direction.”

Starting at No. 10 at Manor, she continued her strong tee-to-green play, making birdie putts of 10 and 15 feet at No. 11 and No. 13 respectively to quickly get to 2-under-par. When she sank a 5-foot birdie putt to close her day, Wie had qualified with strokes to spare.

As for the rest of this month, Wie will return home, relax, and take in the NBA Finals, rooting for her favorite player, the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett.

“I’ve never seen someone with that much intensity,” said Wie. “When I see him on the court, I want to be like that.”