Michelle Wie flaming out again - Men's Amateur Public Links this time

You obviously don't know what you're talking about. First, your statement that Wie hasn't won at any level of competition is just wrong. She won, at age 13, the Women's Amateur Public Links, the female equivalent of the tournament she is playing in right now.
Second, she just proved you wrong again by making it to match play in the MEN's Amateur Public Links, beating 99 of the best MALE amateur golfers in the world.
And you seem to think that finishing 2nd in one of the 4 LPGA major tournaments is no accomplishment either. She's already finished 2nd twice this year in LPGA tournaments, and this from a 15 year old amateur. In short, Wie is one of the top 5 female golfers in the world
Please wake up and get real!

I love Baldwin! Hey, who just made match play? I don't know about that top-5 comment from John up above. I'm sure that Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Lorena Ochoa, Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon are not the only ones better than she.

So, what does it say about all the men she's finished higher than in those PGA events? Why don't rag on them? After all, a fifteen year old girl beat them? If Michelle Wie were a 30 year old LPGA veteran, yeah, it would be a total joke. But she's 15! And she can kick your ass, I'm sure.

PGA needs do something to keep females out of PGA and direct them to LPGA. Until a FEMALE wins 100% of the time on the LPGA, then, maybe, they might deserve the right to play on the PGA. Or another option might be to start a new tour....the COED TOUR.

The PGA Tour is not a "men's" tour by rule. A sponsor can give their exemption to anyone they like, male/female, young/old, amateur/professional. You don't have to "deserve" or "qualify" for a sponsor's exemption. That's why they're there. It's only a matter of time until Michelle Wie wins events: women's, mens', professional, amateur...whatever. Annika and Creamer are better, OK...Inkster and Mallon? Old enough to be Michelle's mother! They were better in their prime, but not now. Wie will be dominating women's golf over the next 5-10 years, and will make history on the mens' side as well, including making cuts and playing at The Masters. Save this post if you think you'll have to correct me in the future!

Can people get any more emotionallly blinded over this issue? The simple facts are that she has the right to play, because the rules allow it. She is a phenomenal talent, far better than most people realize. BUT, she has zero chance of winning any of these male tournaments she is entering, so it is nothing more than a) a publicity stunt to guarantee her coverage and a huge sponsor payday when she turns pro later this year (which she will do) or b) practice at the expense of others so that someday she may be able to compete on the men's tour.

Is she one of the top 100 Amateur players in the US, male or female? Sure. But the reality is, however, that she will never be competitive on the PGA tour, ever, regardless of what the PC police say. Could she squeak by the cut line in a weak tournament? Sure. Could she compete? No. But hey, it gives us all something else to argue about.

You must be extremely jealous of what this 15 year old is doing with her talent. There's a reason you're not playing in the Publinx, you can't beat Michelle. Women, (and young women,) are allowed to make the attempt to play in men's tournaments. Regardless if it's by exemptions or pure talent. You're probably one of those writers that complains how the men's pro tour is full of clones. Michelle wins the female amateur publinx at 13 years old and I'm sure you were saying that it wasn't much of an accomplishment. After all, she "only" beat females. How sad you are.

Do seem to think that 1) you know what's best for Michelle Wie and/or 2) "men's" events are better off without her. I don't think you can assert with any credibility that either are true. Perhaps you take issue with what you feel is overexposure...but why add to the problem by choosing to write about the story? If you feel so strongly that there are other stories that are more compelling that we should care about more, then write about them!

This is the second time you've written condescendingly about Wie's achievements. Why take the angle that she'll fail and that this is a bad idea? I get that you have an opinion but your unbalanced look at the situation really tells us more about your own agendas and issues than anything else.

Jay: here's Baldwin's agenda.

Baldwin's a troll looking for comments and saying ridiculous things just for the sheer attention of it all.

kinda pathetic, when you think about it.

Why not try posting something other than flame-bait, Mr. Baldwin?

Comment from: Asur Bekanan [Visitor] Jay: here's Baldwin's agenda. Baldwin's a troll looking for comments and saying ridiculous things just for the sheer attention of it all. AND HOW DOES THAT DIFFER FROM WIE? SHE is laying in the MEN'S PGA for the ATTENTION. Until she, or any other non-male, wins 100% of thier tour, they have no business competing on the MEN'S PGA TOUR.

If I was even half inept at my work as you are at yours, my family would starve. Your opinion is baseless and lacks any depth or weight. In fact, Michelle very well might win this tournament. Even if she doesn't the simple fact is she should be allowed to play in any tournament she qualifies for, without comment by the likes of yourself.

Round 2: 6 and 5.

Only a matter of time, Chris, before you'll be drooling out the side of your mouth proclaiming that "she still hasn't shown the mental game to win the grand slam."

She's made it to the round of 16! So what if she's doing it for the attention, she can play!

the USGA (mens championships) are open to the best players regardless of age or sex. As long as they are not to old to qualify.

HP, you are SOOOO right! Key words "Open to the best players". Wle has yet to win on tour. So, how can she be considered "BEST"?

John D...

She just won her second match play 6/5..
Something you will never do!!!

The last time I looked, there was not an M in front of PGA. Anyone who can make it can play in it. Why does everyone care so much about whether or not she can win there? How many guys on the tour have never won? They make a good living at it or they wouldn't be there. Just sit back and enjoy watching something you'll never be able to do and admire a 15 year old girl with grace and talent. and by the way... sponsors pay the bills so they can invite Don Rickles if they want to. Want to see golf on TV? then cool it.

And then there were 8

It is a "sort of free" country. If she doesn't mind losing, why should you care if she loses.

On the other hand, she kicks by far the majority of asses that she meets of any gender.

Mr Baldwin

It appears that young miss Wie is a far better golfer than you are a writer. Your facts are all wrong (she has won before) and you clearly are letting your personal negitive bias towards women influence your judgment, or lack of in this case. (why is this Chris, did your mommy spank you a bit to many times when you were little or maybe the girls in high school were mean to you.) No "mental game"? You have got to be kidding me, this is a 15 year old girl who, even if she had just missed the cut would have beat 75 to 85 of the best men mateurs in the country. As it turns out, her not making the cut was just wishful thinking on your part. She is now in the top 16 and still going. She did not make the cut at the JD Classic last week but she still beat a whole heap pro MEN out there. Did you forget that 1/2 the field gets cut every single week. Are they all lacking a "mental game" also. I'll tell you who is lacking a "mental game". YOU, thats who.

Yes, it's true, Chris writes these blogs for attention. Unfortunately, he can only gain attention by writing such inane drivel. You can gain attention by running in the street naked, too, but that doesn't mean it's a good way to promote yourself or what you stand for.

As for the questions about Wie's suitability for the Publinx...final 8 says a lot. No matter what happens tomorrow, at age 15 she would be a wonder if her name was Michael instead of Michelle.

On the issue of playing in "Men's" tournaments, several have already hit the nail on the head. There is no "men's" level, there is the "open" level, the highest level of competition. LPGA could stand for Lesser PGA as well as Ladies. The players there compete against each other because they are not good enough to compete against the best men. The men play the PGA because they are the best in the world, period. If Wie can compete there, she should do so. And as her playing partner in the stroke-play at Publinx said, "If anyone has a problem with her playing here, then just go out and beat her."

Here, here. Stop whining about her playing while she is winning. Three foot pinch hitters are publicity stunts because they can't actuall hit the ball. Wie is a competitor worthy of recognition, not just a marketing tool.

I misspoke in my last post - I meant "competing" not "winning". Before Chris or John D hops on me for that...

And she is competing. Missing the cut at the Deere by a stroke or two is competing in golf. As others have said, few golfers actually win golf tournaments, especially at her age. Most look to compete - have a chance to make the cut, and make a run at the leaderboard a couple times a year. If you think she is not capable of doing that at the PGA level, prepare to be disappointed.

Let's say you are a female basketball player. If you had a choice of either being a dominating WNBA player or just a bench player in the NBA, what would you do? I don't know about you, but I would take the NBA route any given day. I think I can understand where Michelle Wie is coming from.

Michelle Wie is good for all golf tours because she promotes interest. She is capable of winning a tour event someday and is good enough to compete with the men for the experience she needs to win in these venues. Remember when Annika played in Texas. That was attended by more sportswriters than the Masters. Lookout Augusta, someday you will really have a big decision to make.

The only reason I stumbled across this POS blog was that I Googled for a decent one about the APL. Three words describe this blog: "pathetic," "jealous," and, oh yeah, "quarters..."

The first and best thing any parent tells their kids is to have dreams and dream big. To see someone work so hard at accomplishing their goal with such grace in the face of such childish criticism is actually (to this male golfer)inspiring. The most impressive trait about Michelle Wie has been her maturity in dealing with the lack of it around her.

The only reason I knew anything about John Deere classic and recorded on my DVR was because of a young phenom called Big Wiesy. Ask JD committe hoe much they wished for Michelle to make the cut--and she almost did. Annika didn't even come close at a course that was hand picked for her optimum game. The way she swayed and almost collapsed after her first drive and how nervous she was (this from the best women's player)throughout the two day stint let me know that she really didn't belong at a PGA tournament. The way Pressle handles pressure/situations, she'll just wilt under the scrutiny. Wie is a totally different story. Go get 'em girl. You are good enough to play at any level you wish. And, PGA, I'll be watching/recording whatever tournament the Michelle plays.

CAK wrote "The way Pressle handles pressure/situations, she'll just wilt under the scrutiny. Wie is a totally different story." Just like the the 2005 US Open where Wie stood up to the pressure and shot a blistering 82 and Pressel choked her way to second place, only missong out on a win or playoff because of 1 in 100 shot by Birdie Kim. Could we hold off on calling Wie the women's answer to Tiger Woods until she actually shows she can at least beat her peers, and that means winning one Public Links. She's hasn't come close to earning the right to be placed above all other on LPGA players. Let's see her prove that she can beat Annika Sorenstam on consistent basis before we stout touting her as bona fide "PGA" tour player.

Over 5000 male golfers attempted to qualify for the Publinx. Only 155 made it. After the 36 hole cut there were 63 males and one 15 year old girl left. After 3 rounds of match play there were just 8 golfers left. This is flaming out? Could Annika, Paula, or Morgan have accomplished this on a track that measures 7000 yds? Don't make me laugh. Just today, Mickleson and Norman said that what Michelle is accomplishing at her age is truely amazing. Phil said that even at age 17 he could not even come close to making the cut in a PGA event. Michelle missed by 1 at age 14 and by 2 at age 15. Deal with it you jealous bastards.

Comment from: Winfied D. Herbias [Visitor] John D... She just won her second match play 6/5.. Something you will never do!!! ACTUALLY I HAVE BETTERED THAT MARK. I PLAY MATCH PLAY IN A LEAGUE. WE USE FULL HANDICAP, SO EVEN IF I HAVE TO PLAY SOMEONE WITH A 22 HCP, IT HELPS EVEN THINGS OUT. I USUALLY WIN MY MATCHES. AND, I HAVE WON 8 to 1 (we only have time for 9 after work).

Clay Ogden dominated from the opening tee shot and crushed Wie by a 5-and-4 margin. WAY TO GO CLAY ! ! ! !

Just to let you, Ron Mon and the others know, in LPGA tournaments where Paula Creamer and Michelle have played, Michelle has a winning record of 7-1-1 against Paula. Any further questions about who is the better golfer?

What's with the Michelle angst?? Do you think anyone would have givens a rat's behind about either the John Deere or the Publinx Championship if she hadn't played?
Thank god she and Anika have the guts to do this stuff.

Everybody better remember this. There isn't a player alive (including Tiger) that is displaying the talent this kid is showing right now. If we had put Tiger head to head with Wie when Tiger was 15 there wouldn't have a match. She flat out would have kicked his ass. This kid has not even developed a decent short game yet. By the time she is 20-21 she will have gotten a lot stronger also to deal with heavier roughs in PGA touneyments. I also believes she has to learn to win a little more. Give this kid 4-5 years, let her go to the Q school and see how she does.

How about 6 or 7 years? Let her get thru college 1st. Then maybe conquer the LPGA. And in the mean time, compete with the KIDS in her own age group.

Who says Michelle needs to go to college to hone her game?? There can't be 10 college women players in America right now that could even give her a game. It really only makes sense if she could play in a men's program. By the by...Bill W. is precisely right about Tiger and Michelle..I saw Tiger play in the USGA Junior at about the age Michelle Wie is now. And she is a far more polished, accomplished player.

Paula Creamer grew up in my area and I watched her come into her own. She decided not to go to college and is competing very well on the LPGA. This is not a bad decision for Paula. Whether Wie decides to go to college or not is not the issue. Water finds its own level. She may end up on the LPGA or the PGA. My guess is the PGA where in due time she will win tournaments. In the mean time there is no competition with kids in her own age group. I play a lot of golf as most of you who read these threads. My game excels when I play with very accomplished players.

Michelle Wie will sail past Paula Creamer and every other current young phenom of her playing generation. Wie is especially compelling because she has both the temperament and the physical credentials to win a PGA event in the future. Equipment...ball distance and ball speed off the club face...has made any woman with the mechanics to exploit these two variables and the body to generate the arc and speed a potential winner of tournaments none thought possible. Golf is going to change more than many ever thought possible!!

someone mentioned michelle should play with kids her age, but seriously is there anyone male or female her age that can compete with her. would anybody ask tiger to start playing amateur golf. this notion is just ridiculous.

Shut up, dude!hit me if u can beat her...I'll give u private jet and 500,000