Morgan Pressel tells the Michelle Wie truth
Here’s what Morgan Pressel had to say about everyone’s favorite marketing machine Michelle Wie in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated:
“I was shocked that there wasn’t more talk of Michelle Wie’s final round 82 (at the U.S. Women’s Open). I mean, why is that? Or about how when it looked like she was going to make the cut at the John Deere Classic, she played the last four holes in three over par.
“Are the press and other players just trying to be politically correct? I don’t believe in being politically correct. Michelle hasn’t played a lot of junior golf, so she hasn’t learned how to finish tournaments.”
Doesn’t this sound like the points of a certain
brilliant blogger? It’s official. Morgan Pressel is the smartest 17-year-old on the planet.
Now’s about the time for all you Wie delusionals to declare that Morgan Pressel was once dumped by a 15-year-old Asian American girl, is secretly in love with Michelle Wie, but really hates all women.
If I was Michelle Wie, I’d be more than a little embarrassed that my average fan appears to have an IQ lower than the 61 Tiger Woods posted last week. At least based on the rantings on these blog message boards. You have a few exceptions in the Wie camp who can actually argue facts, a la Alan. But for the most part, Jessica Simpson volunteered to explain how tuna is the chicken of the sea to you, folks.
To read how Michelle Wie is ducking Morgan Pressel and the rest of her peers at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, check out this story. While Pressel plays on in the semifinals, building a winning foundation, Wie sits out to guard her legacy of hype.
I still think Paula Creamer will always be a better golfer than both Wie and Pressel. The 5-foot-5 Pressel does not have the power to dominate in the same manner as the longer hitters.
But there’s no doubt Pressel knows more about winning than Wie. And she has the guts to speak her mind knowing it’s not the popular point of view. That’s a sports figure to cheer.
| « Greg Norman wimps out at PGA Championship, avoids Tiger Woods' killer glare | Michelle Wie would have trouble closing out Women's British Open six shots up, at six back no shot » |
58 comments
Impugning the IQs of your readers won't lead to a very long blogging career, that's for sure. I think you owe some people an apology (not that I'm holding my breath).
Anyway, I see that you are backing off your previous position. It is possible that Creamer will always be a better golfer than Wie (though I personally doubt it) so I will not begrudge you your favouring her. But do you now agree that your previous statement that "Wie will never learn how to win" was simply perjorative. You cannot know that, and there is no evidence to back up that statement.
You have no idea how many tournaments Wie has won in her career (starting from all those local tournaments she entered as a young kid). For all you know, she got bored with beating up on the field at these events and finds no satisfaction in winning junior events any more. (Of course, that would mean you would actually have to do some work before you spouted off).
First failing to make the cut (at the JD Classic) is not failing to win. Even you must believe that Wie knows how to make the cut, she was batting 1.000 on the LPGA tour this year - so that's irrelevent.
Second, there was plenty of coverage about Wie's poor performance in the final round of the US Open. Most of the headlines and/or first paragraphs of those stories mentioned it - they just didn't make a big deal of it.
Then again, how much did Goosen's meltdown in his Open dominate the coverage? Hardly at all. Why? Because once he dropped out of the running, the big story was about Campbell and Tiger. Goosen hasn't won yet this year - does that make him a loser? Has he forgotten how to win? Hmmm.
It might just be--shock, horror--that Wie and Goosen had a bad day at the office - big deal.
I can't blame Pressel for making a comment like that, since she has made it clear she's sick of fielding questions about Wie. (What's your excuse, Chris) What Pressel did in the US Open was remarkable and this week she is proving that she doesn't belong playing women's amateur events either. I look forward to seeing both of them thrashing it out with Creamer and Sorenstam next year.
The next few years could be a Golden Age for women's golf (or at least a big moneyspinner). Creamer, Wie, and Pressel will all be a part of that, and no one, not even Chris, knows what's going to happen.
Creamer has beaten Wie only twice during the seven or eight times they've played in the same events on the LPGA Tour.
Pressel has beaten Wie only once in the three or four times they've played in the same events on the LPGA Tour.
Wie is the only girl in the threesome to have won a USGA adult title, and she did it at age 13. In fact, Wie is the only girl in the threesome to have won a USGA title, period.
Creamer has never won a women's amateur event of any significance. All of her national amateur titles were in junior events.
Pressel has one 2nd place finish on the LPGA Tour. Wie has three 2nds and a 3rd.
Wie has the manners and the good sense not to make disparaging remarks about the play of her competitors. Pressel apparently does not.
A writer's fan base tends to reflect the intellectual level of the writer. So your average fan has an IQ of 61? Glad I'm not a fan of yours.
CHRIS
YOU ARE SO PREDICTABLE !!
I FIGURED YOU'D GO BACK TO THE BASHING THE 15 YEAR OLD ONCE YOUR OTHER SORRY ARTICLES ONLY GARNERED TWO COMMENTS!
You must be on your period or something...
First of all -- anyone who read your article knows you have a sick DIRTY OLD MAN crush on Paula Creamer--
you were talking about her looks and her smile for half the article and not her golf--- !!!
Second of all- as someone who actually went to college--your writing is strictly junior high if that. You are the last person to critique anyone's intelligence since you obviously have a very very low IQ.
Third of all- insulting the people who frequent this board reflects very badly on this website and you should be fired.
Everyone here pretty much predicted you would bash Michelle again when your last article bombed.
BORING! How predictable...
You and Morgan Pressel need to get together for a
JEALOUSY GAB FEST...
It sucks that a 40 year old guy like you is cattier than a barely 17 year old girl....
--BOB MATTHEWS
"In seven LPGA events this year, Wie has finished second three times (including the LPGA Championship) and third once (the British Open). If she were a pro, she'd be ninth on the money list with earnings of $663,363. Her earnings per tournament ($97,766) would rank second behind only Annika Sorenstam ($143,288).
Wie begins her junior year of high school Aug. 24. If she isn't voted most likely to succeed in her senior class yearbook it would be a monumental upset — unless she is disqualified for already succeeding."
Just a note---Morgan Pressel lost last month in the 3rd round of a Junior Girls tournament---she can barely beat 14 year old girls --how is she going to consistently beat Michelle....
Morgan Pressel seeks out the weak competition so she can dominate...
2 was telling you how pathetic you are as a writer and the other one was a question that you never answered....
Shoot--if the only way I could get attention was to bash a popular person than I might do it too--
Then again I have a life so I probably won't...
LOSER!
Face it it is amazing to watch a 15 year old girl compete with grown men. Yes it is worth it simply to see if she can make the cut.
How much did Morgan know about beating Michelle all those other times? Not so much. I think Morgan is a helluva competitor, witness her performance to date in the US Women's Am. Paula Creamer as well -- Paula, like Morgan, having managed to outplay Michelle a grand total of twice to date head to head, of the many times they've played opposite one another.
Such a shame Michelle will have to get by without your support. I sm sure she is traumatized.
At least you're smart enough to figure out that, judging by your previous commentary regarding MW and the number of "ratings" you've achieved, albeit predominantly negative, you got your job secured ala filthy scums that run TV programs that you see nowadays. How pathetic to sell your soul, self-esteem and self-respect for a job security... Keep it coming, we'll save your job for ya!!
-- Newport News Daily Press
to 270yds, to, in your words, dominate the tour. This is why Michelle Wie will be the next big star of Women golf.
I didn't see Cramer try to qualify for the PGA like you feel, Michelle should. I don't think they, Pressel and Cramer would accept an sponsor's exemption to play. They don't hit it far enough.
You did it again.
When I read the article I was going to comment but having read everyone elses theres no need.
The facts tell the story.
Oh yeh, Wie should play in the Solheim Cup.
Next week can you tell us why she shouldn't. That should be good for a laugh.
Alan
I'm free tonight--Wanna go out for a date?
We can watch footage of Michelle Wie in slow motion and touch our "secret place"....
(read NIKE, Leadbetter etc) and can't see the forest for the trees. Keep up the good work.
So if I were a fan of Michelle, I would respond to this racist on Jen Mario's blog.
GUYS--this Pressel vs. Wie conversation is being continued on Jennifer Mario's blog--please don't give this jerk any more comments on his blog....
For my money, I'll take the golfer with the loftier goals anyday of the week.
records speak for themselves. As to
why Nancy Lopez didn't invite Wie,
that's a more complex question. Lopez
had been complaining that Wie wasn't doing enough for the LPGA Tour, this in spite of Wie playing in as many LPGA events as her current amateur status allows. Yet, when Wie had a chance to help the LPGA by participating in the U.S. Solheim team, Lopez rejected Wie for not being a LPGA member.
It seems that Ms. Lopez is trying to have it both ways.
Morgan Pressel. Racism is a serious charge. However, when Pressel accused the press of not criticizing Wie of her shortcomings because of "political correctness", Pressel left little room for interpreting her comment otherwise. What was published in SI was unfortunate. But I don't think we can blame SI for publishing, what were, ultimately, Pressel's own words. I don't think SI made up the article - their lawyers are too savvy to allow that. That said, which of us when we were a 17-year old did not misspeak? I for one would not want what I said as a 17-year old to come back to haunt me when I am a matured professional. We grown-ups are not more noble than the 17-year olds. We are just more sophisticated in sugarcoating those of our less than noble sentiments.
Pressel is an excellent golfer of exceptional talent; and so I do understand her resentment toward Wie. It's human nature. Pressel’s feeling might even be justified. She might well be as deserving of the press, attention, and potential endorsements that Wie’s is getting. But for Pressel to earn these, she needs to learn how to handle the press in a mature manner. Wie, two years of Pressel's junior, has already learned that.
Its so hilarious that Morgan Pressel hates Michelle Wie because the only reason she gets any press is because of her!
Pressel finally gets on ESPN for an interview, and what was the topic--MICHELLE WIE!!
That "politically correct" comment smacks of the same sentiment that Rush Limbaugh used when describing Donovan Mcnabb--(that McNabb was only being hyped because he was black)
It doesn't surprise me much that comment came from Morgan-- the Pressel family are notorious conservative right wingers here in the state of Florida, they're extremely active in politics here.
Relax Pat--no one's bashing their family--that is straight up truth and they will be proud to admit it.
Michelle has the Big Driver.
Michelle has the Drive to move outside of the LPGA Tee Box.
This is why She gets the Pics, the Clicks and the Excemption Ticks.
The one with the Biggest Endorsment Contracts WINS!!!
Deal with it.
golf very well. It's really a pity that
her instructors never taught her any golf
etiquette or sportsmanship.
HILARIOUS---
CHRIS BALDWIN'S NEW NON-MICHELLE ARTICLE HAS BEEN UP FOR AWHILE AND SO FAR
ZERO COMMENTS !!!
ROTF LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But there's no doubt Pressel knows more about winning than Wie. And she has the guts to speak her mind knowing it's not the popular point of view. That's a sports figure to cheer.
______________________________________
Chris, you forgot to mention how Morgan LOST in the 3rd round of the Junior Girls! Does that help her know more about winning than Michelle does? OR does she know more ABOUT LOSING?
I watched a mature, poised, confident young lady on the Letterman show the other night - In contrast, last week I was embarrased for Ms. Pressel as I watched her throw a temper-tantrum on television after having lost a match.
Michelle has already beaten the best (finished higher than Annika at the British Open). I'm a pretty good poker player who knows that you can predict the future. "I'm all in" that Wie will become one of the best athletes in women's sports and, unless Morgan can get Michelle Wie out her head, we won't even remember Pressel's name in 5 years.
YOU ARE A JINX BALDWIN!!
PRESSEL LOST HER FINAL TODAY !!
MAN --PAULA CREAMER WAS YOUR FIRST VICTIM, THEN TIGER THEN MORGAN PRESSEL!
PLEASE DON'T EVER ROOT FOR MICHELLE-YOU ARE ONE UNLUCKY MOFO !!
Michelle has one big problem that a 15 year old "phenom" should not have-
She can't putt.
Yeah John--Ochoa is so great she didn't even make the cut at the Women's British Open and
Pressel just choked another final...
Do you think she would have got this deal if she didn't play reasonably well in Men's events, missing the cut by 1 and 2 shots, etc.?
The Wies played this one perfectly, striking the deal when she was hot.
The worst case scenario is that she never wins on any major tour and goes off to college with $10M. Personally, I think she and her family have a strong enough foundation to withstand any craziness that may occur from success or failure.
She will have to get tough to deal with all the attention, but she can drop out of the spotlight at any time if she quits golf. The only difference is that she and her family will be set for life financially and able to pay for her Stanford education.
As for the poster that stated that 'thousands of amatuers can make a PGA tour cut with 2 good rounds', well, are any of them a 14-15 year old girl? A 14-15 year old boy? Can any of them almost do it twice in 3 tries? Maybe, but none of them are 15 year old girls that is for sure.
Pressel is not 14 or 15, and has no chance in hell of making a PGA tour cut, that is why Wie is the story. I don't care how many women's events Pressel wins.. she's 17 and she damn good, but so was Nancy Lopez, and so is Paula Creamer at 18. They are NOT as unique and therefore are not as intriguing a story.
Hell, Annika Sorenstam, who is almost as long as Wie, missed the cut by over 5 shots. Wie missed cuts by 1, 2, and I think 6 or 7 shots in 3 tries. That in and of itself is a pretty telling stat. Its not that Wie can hit it long...its the fact that for a 15 year old girl, she is showing signs of scoring well on a PGA tour level. She needs to learn how to finish, and I think that will only come when she is playing EVERY week on the LPGA or elsewhere. This may not happen for a long time, but that is when you will she her full potential.
Notoriety is not based purely on performance and of course her looks, her height, her length, have a lot to do with it, but she also is performing at a very high level. As for not winning..... SHE'S 15 YEAR OLD! Jeez. Instead of comparing her to Pressel and Creamer, why not compare her to other 15 year old girls... are any of them winning anything? What, a US girl Jr. event? Please.
Whatever detriment there is to not playing jr events and 'learning how to win' is made up for by playing against the men on the PGA tour and learning from them (lag putting tip from Ernie Els in 04 comes to mind, you know the tournament where she made two 40+ ft bombs en route to a -2 68). Even Annika admits learning a lot from the men whenever she plays with them. To me, this is great experience and is just as valuable to beating a bunch of 15 year old girls.
I will be watching, as we all will be, to see what this girl can really do, but either way I'm sure she will have no regrets and neither will her parents.
As for Morgan Pressel, quit your belly-aching! One glaring story I read about her is how she pointed out how there was no media coverage about Wie's terrible Sunday round at the US Womens open... What did she want, a human interest story about it? Laurena Ochoa shanked one in the water on 18 with a chance to win and there was minimal coverage over that one as well. They never cover women's golf failures too much. What is the point.
Some advice to Morgan: There are sports figures all over the world that get more attention and money then other players who are better. It may not be fair, but bitching about it all the time will not help your cause. Show some class as its not Michelle's fault that she is getting all the attention.
"She's going to make something like $10 million? For what? For winning one tournament?" 17-year-old Morgan Pressel in the latest issue of Fortune magazine that features Wie on its cover.
***
No Morgan, she is going to make 10M because she is the only woman golfer in recent history, or perhaps ever, that has any chance to play on the Men's PGA tour. This is the only reason she is getting the attention, and making all this money. Sure, she's be a pretty big story by playing well at age 13-16 against the ladies, but others have done this in the past, at least to some degree. If she drove the ball 250 and still did very well in LPGA tournaments, she would be as intriguing as, well, Morgan Pressel.
If Annika was 6'1" tall, she would probably average about 285-290 off the tee (she averages 265 right now) and she could make a run at the men.
Unfortunately, she is 5'6" and is pretty much maxed out as far as distance is concerned.
If Michelle Wie hits the weights anywhere near what Annika has done in the past 5 years, Michelle could average 295-300 off the tee (she probably averages 275-280 right now), which would gave her a better chance of getting a Men's PGA tour card than any other woman golfer.
Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, and
Annika do not have this potential primarily due to the fact of their height/size.
Morgan should take notes from Creamer, who has been classy all the way as Wie is taking some of her thunder, and Creamer deserves much more attention with 2 wins and an awesome rookie season.
Again, Morgan continues to wear the black hat and maybe it fuels her performance on the course, but it sure is not helping her off it.
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