Newport R.I., of all places, gone Michelle Wie crazy

I hope you're joking about Paula Creamer always being better than Michelle Wie. She is going to dominate women's golf in a way that will become a joke. It's sad that someone so legitimately amazing as she should be the subject of resentment due to a media circus. I didn't believe until I saw her at the John Deere, showing every shot imaginable, showing that all she needs to be able to win events on the LPGA tour and compete in PGA tour events is to learn to minimize her mistakes. This will be easier if she gets a real caddy.

Seek help. Professional help, Chris. As fast as you can.

PAULA CREAMER FINISHED IN 33RD PLACE AT THE SAFEWAY CLASSIC JUST LAST WEEK !! !

MICHELLE WIE HAS NEVER FINISHED THAT LOW IN AN LPGA TOURNAMENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS--
(AND SHE'S STILL THREE YEARS YOUNGER!)

ONE MORE THING--IT WAS AN EXTREMELY WEAK FIELD (NO ANNIKA AND OTHER TOP PLAYERS)
AND STILL CREAMER FINISHED # 33 !

Let be honest, Chris have you ever saw Michelle Wie/Paula Cramer play a round of golf in person. Do you play golf?

fred: Assuming you meant Creamer (not Cramer), I'd say you're not a very careful reader. Check out this.

Hi Chris
You are obviously mellowing towards Wie. But intead of admitting you are wrong in one hit you are going to do it over several months
Nice one Chris.

Alan M

Hey Chris, I have to admit that you are getting better! Well, a little! Keep up the improving work and maybe someday you will be a Wie fan too! :D

I have to give you credit, this article was bearable.

If you don't want to buy into the Wie hype, that's cool, and actually refreshing. Your previous articles bordered on the absurd and idiotic, this one shows you are toning down the rhetoric.

Ms. Creamer has patiently mastered the finer points of golf and sportsmanship. Thus, she is mature beyond her years. While I a solid fan of Ms. Creamer, I hope that Ms. Wie will look to Ms. Creamer as a role model.

Peggy Price

Michelle Wie has also mastered the finer points of golf and sportsmanship. Did you see her on Letterman?

Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer would both make excellent role models--but I doubt that either one would wish to take the other as a role model. I hope your comments were merely intended as praise for Paula Creamer, rather than criticism of Michelle Wie as someone you see in need of a role model.

I think a number of issues involving Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, and Morgan Pressel will be resolved when all of them are pros and issues of what might have been done when they were amateurs becomes moot.

Hey Baldie,
Your writing ability or lack thereof never ceases to amaze. This One-trick Pony Wie bashing routine will eventually get old... then hopefully we won't have to look at your stupid mug! So long doofus

To Fred & James

Safeway: Creamer probably faded due to jet lag, which is what the commentators were saying on Saturday of the Safeway. But that's the price she paid You plays on the International Dateline, you takes your chances.

Also, to the poster who gloated over Creamer finishing 32nd who said Wie never finished that low: You Baldwin-wannabe failed to mention that Creamer has won three tourneys and Wie has won zero.

And to the people who say a person can't form an opinion about a golfer without seeing them in person, here's a post from golfblog.com (The Golf Blog) from somebody who followed Creamer and Sorenstam in round one on Thursday 8-25.

Bottom line: Creamer is the "real deal" and she matched Sorenstam's drives on the back nine as Creamer got into a better driving rhythm.

But I'm glad Wie is getting all the hype. Meanwhile, Creamer will just fly under the radar and quietly keep winning tournaments. That works for me and I'm sure it will work for Paula.

Anyway, here's the post...

*****
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Wendy's Round 1 assessment: Paula Creamer, real deal

As I said below, I followed Paula Creamer and Annika today at the Wendy's Championship. After watching Paula play, I am not surprised at all that she's already won 3 pro tournaments in her rookie year. She's good, real good. Impressions of her round:

1. Stuffing approach shots: The strength of Paula's game is her iron play and wedges. Paula is not that long off of the tee (Annika typically outdrove her, sometimes by 20 - 30 yards, although on a few holes Paula outdrove Annika and on the back nine they appeared closer). But Paula's irons shots were very pinpoint today. By my count and layperson's eye, Paula's approach shots left her with very makeable birdie putts of 12 feet or less on 9 holes. (Only on 2 holes did Paula leave herself with a birdie putt of more than 25 feet, and she made regulation on all holes except for maybe 1, the one she bogeyed discussed below.) Paula converted on 5 of those birdie putts, which is over 50%, but I thought she could have made a couple more, given the short length -- and she probably does too. She uses the two-ball putter, which seemed on and off today. Of course, I should also note again that Tartan Fields was playing very easy today (if not usually because of the generous fairways), as you can tell by the large number of under par scores (Leaderboard here).

2. Self-inflicted bogey: Right after she said "time for a birdie" walking to the tee of the easy 4th hole, a 503-yard par 5, Paula proceeded to bogey the hole, her only bogey of the round. She bogeyed it basically because she -- or her caddie -- miscalculated the yardage to lay up. Her lay up shot bounded into a huge fairway bunker that guards the green about 30 yards away.

3. Saved by Wendy Ward: On the 136-yard par 3 17th, playing partner Wendy Ward may have saved Paula from a 2 stroke penalty. Paula's caddy tried to measure 2 club lengths from the tee markers, so Paula could back up to hit her tee shot, but the caddy measured it from the end of the marker (which was about a foot in length). The observant Ward told Paula right before she was about to hit, she should measure it from the front end of the tee marker. When the caddy did, Paula decided to move up a foot or two. She owes Wendy a drink!

*****

There's a rational assessment from somebody who is neither intoxicated with Wie-mania nor drenched in Wie antipathy.

It's a shame people are so wrapped up in Wie that they ignore a young woman, Paula Creamer, who already is a legitimate star -- and a winner on three continents in her rookie year.

-George

The only strong tournament Creamer won was the Evian Masters--the other two had such weak competition it was laughable!

Creamer never finished higher than 3rd in an LPGA major and Michelle has already finished as a runner-up twice! (And still THREE YEARS YOUNGER!!)

By the way George Paula finished 33rd not 32nd !

I thought Creamer won three tourneys.

I also thought Wie has won zero.

*****
Creamer never finished higher than 3rd in an LPGA major and Michelle has already finished as a runner-up twice!
*****
Did Wie win any of those? Or did Wie win any LPGA tourneys this year? Or any year?

You're sounding more Chris Baldwin than Baldwin himself. The only diff. is you hate Creamer (WHO'S ONLY 19 YEARS OLD -- sound familiar?) and he hates Wie. Both of you sound unhinged.

-George

-George

-George

Instead of attacking a 15-year old girl who wouldn't know you from a hole in the wall, you need to grow some balls.....

George,
Get a grip

"Creamer never finished higher than 3rd in an LPGA major and Michelle has already finished as a runner-up twice!
*****
Did Wie win any of those? Or did Wie win any LPGA tourneys this year? Or any year?"

Do I need to spell it out for you?
Creamer's a pro, Wie an amateur

"The only diff. is you hate Creamer (WHO'S ONLY 19 YEARS OLD -- sound familiar?)"

Wie is 15 years old, not 19
I guess math wasn't your forte.

Actually, you're sounding like Mr. Potato head. Chris=George/?

George-
I think you sound more like Chris Baldwin complete with the dirty old man crush on Paula---I'm just stating some facts on Creamer- its not my fault you're in denial...

Michelle would trade ALL of her slighlty higher Major finishes for just ONE of Creamer's wins. And if you don't understand that, you have no idea what big-time golf is all about.

Shanks, you are dead wrong. Wie wouldn't swap her good finishes at the majors for one win on a ordinary LPGA event.
Wie is more about competing at the highest level than winning.
I assume you haven't competed in serious sport, otherwise you would understand.
She wouldn't trade her 3 attempts on the PGA for a LPGA win.
Alan M

james...

*****
I think you sound more like Chris Baldwin complete with the dirty old man crush on Paula---I'm just stating some facts on Creamer- its not my fault you're in denial...
*****

Just like it's not my fault you never use logic or reason, so go figure.

I was just stating some facts about Creamer. She's won 3 events in her rookie season -- two of them sanctioned LPGA events -- Creamer's won more than $1.1 million, and it looks as if she'll make the Solheim Cup as a rookie.

The fact is, Wie has yet to win an LPGA event.

You're trying to have it both ways, as usual. Accomplishments vs. potential. Wie is the greatest ever, and then when somebody wonders if that's really true, you squawk that "SHE'S ONLY 15!!!, or YOU'RE A DIRTY OLD MAN, or YOU'RE A RACIST!!! or YOU HATE ASIANS, HAWAIIANS, " blah, blah, aud nauseum.

Those aren't arguments from you, those are just empty blathers.

You want to put Wie on a pedestal, cool. But if you want to put her on the big stage, say she's the best female golfer of all time, then people have a right to point out that maybe there's no evidence -- yet -- that such is the case.

If and when Wie wins a tournament, then we have a starting point about her.

Also, using the same standards you apply to Creamer, Wie would have to win against a "strong field" for that first win to count as an actual win.

This is probably the bottom line that best sums it up

"For some reason, she is the chosen one,'' Cristie Kerr said. "People just want to turn on the TV and watch, and that's good for the rest of us. She's just got this aura around her that makes people want to pay attention.''

My primary objection is all the frenzy that surrounds Wie has led to the ignoring of the likes of Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis and other young American players who are also playing very fine golf -- and in Creamer's case, playing great golf.

-George

George--

Here are some FACTS for you ---

Out of the six times they've played in the same tournament together-Paula Creamer has only finished ahead of Michelle Wie twice-the Evian Masters which Creamer won, and the Women's Open where Michelle totally messed up on the last day. Michelle has already finshed 2nd at an LPGA major -Creamer's highest finish at an LPGA major is 3rd.

And oh yeah --Michelle Wie is still THREE YEARS YOUNGER.

By the way, I don't see anyone here calling you a racist so quit being paranoid...

George, as long as you want to mention the Solheim Cup.

If Wie were given Solheim Cup points, she would have 216 points in just 7 events(11 if you count the Majors double). This compares to 340.5 points for Paula Creamer in 18 events(22 if you count Majors double). Even if she wins this week and moves up to 400.5, Paula Creamer will earn fewer Solheim points per tournament than Wie would have earned if she had been in the LPGA.

AND LET US BE REALISTIC. Michelle Wie is not taking attention away from golfers like Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel. If not for Michelle Wie, there would be a lot more people ignoring the LPGA entirely. I can't think of a female American golfer who made it above the radar since Nancy Lopez.

Does Paula Creamer know how to win? Sometimes. But she can also blow a big lead and lose. At Wegman's Rochester she had a 5 stroke lead with 7 holes left--and lost by 4 to Lorena Ochoa as Paula had 3 bogeys to Lorena's 6 birdies.

This weekend Paula led by 4 with 20 holes left(2 holes left in the 3rd round) and she lost by one. She was a -18 for the first 52 holes, and +1 for the last 20.

Paula has won 2 LPGA tournaments because she is a superb golfer. But her record in tournamnets where she has been in a position to win is less than spectacular.

It seems to me that Paula's experience in adult competitions prepared her to compete on the LPGA Tour, while her experience winning at the AJGA level has meant virtually nothing.

Jim COULTHARD [Visitor]

*****
Does Paula Creamer know how to win? Sometimes. But she can also blow a big lead and lose. At Wegman's Rochester she had a 5 stroke lead with 7 holes left--and lost by 4 to Lorena Ochoa as Paula had 3 bogeys to Lorena's 6 birdies.

*****
This weekend Paula led by 4 with 20 holes left(2 holes left in the 3rd round) and she lost by one. She was a -18 for the first 52 holes, and +1 for the last 20.
*****

Right, and -2 for the last 10, and -1 for the last 2 holes. Anybody can play that silly game.

*****
Paula has won 2 LPGA tournaments because she is a superb golfer. But her record in tournamnets where she has been in a position to win is less than spectacular.
*****

And yet when she had a chance to win at Evian, she whipped the field. Remember she wasn't ahead until the third round.

And she won Sybase by 1 with a birdie on the last hole

And she came within the shadow of her golf ball showing deep into the cup of winning. But she didn't win and I'm not making any excuses. Which is more than what I can say for the Wie Warriors.

*****
It seems to me that Paula's experience in adult competitions prepared her to compete on the LPGA Tour, while her experience winning at the AJGA level has meant virtually nothing.

*****
Either way, she has won three tourneys as a rookie. She does have the killer instinct to close tournaments, but sometimes you just get beat.

What's amusing is how you and others make sure to apply veteran player type standards to micro-analyze Creamer's performance -- but offer only excuses and platitudes for why Wie has yet to win, despite apparently being at least as good as any other female golfer.

-George

[from Kyle [Visitor]

George--

*****
Here are some FACTS for you ---

Out of the six times they've played in the same tournament together-Paula Creamer has only finished ahead of Michelle Wie twice-
*****

So did Wie win any of those tournaments -- or any tournament?

*****
the Evian Masters which Creamer won,
and the Women's Open where Michelle totally messed up on the last day.
*****

I guess you answered my question. Thanks!

*****
Michelle has already finshed 2nd at an LPGA major -Creamer's highest finish at an LPGA major is 3rd.
*****

So coming in 2nd or third in a major but never winning it is cool. Just ask Phil Mickelson prior to April 2004 how cool that was.

*****
And oh yeah --Michelle Wie is still THREE YEARS YOUNGER.
*****

Yawn!

*****
By the way, I don't see anyone here calling you a racist so quit being paranoid...
*****
Just ask Arnie if anybody who does not worphip at the Wie altar has to worry about being unfairly and outrageously called racist.

Fact: Wie has zero wins. Creamer has 3 wins, two LPGA wins. Not bad at all for someone who is ONLY NINETEEN YEARS OLD. (Sound familiar?)

-George

George--
Who the hell is Arnie??
Dude you need to get a life and get off these boards ! You must really get off on picking on 15 year old girls.

Too bad Creamer choked the lead today....

Michelle Wie has Top 3 finishes in 4 of the 7 LPGA events she entered this summer... that's pretty damn good if you ask me.

George you need to do some research and figure out what Creamer has accomplished at 15, and it doesn't even come close to what Michelle Wie has done.

So quit talking biased rubbish, and embarassing yourself.

If Michelle Wie was in Creamer's place today you would be going off on what a loser she was and yet I don't hear a peep out of you about Creamer's loss today.
Or even her 33rd finish at the Sybase.

What Creamer has done in her rookie season is probably second in comparison only to what Tiger did in 1996. And Tiger, by the way, did not win every time he was near the lead. So lighten up on the rookie for ONLY winning 3 events - so far.

To Alan, I beg to differ. Winning is why we keep score.

Tiger won some PGA majors in 1996--Creamer hasn't even finished better than 3rd in a major. Not to mention the weak competition of her 2 wins with exception to the Evian Masters where Annika, Michelle, and other top players were actually playing in the field.

I don't think Tiger finished anywhere below the Top 20 either when he was a rookie.
To compare Creamer's rookie season to Tiger's is insane!

Shanks. Pauls Creamer second only to Tiger as a rookie? Have you forgotten Nancy Lopez in 1978? Nine wins including five in a riow and the LPGA Championship. Paula Creamer isn't even close.

Whoa!

That's some good stuff George and Shanks are smoking....

Try not to go online too much when you're high though.

Jamie...

**Too bad Creamer choked the lead today**

Responding in kind... And too bad Wie choked big time in the U.S. Women's open. She was tied for the lead after R3, right?

If Wie is so great... shouldn't she have won?

**Michelle Wie has Top 3 finishes in 4 of the 7 LPGA events she entered this summer... that's pretty damn good if you ask me.**

I wasn't asking you, but I will ask... how many of those did Wie win?

** George you need to do some research and figure out what Creamer has accomplished at 15, and it doesn't even come close to what Michelle Wie has done. **

You're trying to have it both ways. Is Wie a great player? Or is she "only 15."?

If she is a great player now, then it's perfectly appropriate to be a realist and point out that Wie hasn't actually won a tourney.

But then when I do that, you and the other acolytes will try to compare what Creamer did at 15 and what Wie is doing at 15.

How about comparing what they are doing NOW?

**So quit talking biased rubbish, and embarassing yourself.**

Biased in what way, pray tell?

Jamie...
** George--Who the hell is Arnie?? **

your narcissism is astounding, Jamie. Why don't you try reading the blogs here?

try this and scroll to the comments.

(Hint just for Jamie: cut and paste the links into a Web browser. Then use the device called a mouse that came with your computer to move your screen up and down and your cursor in any direction.)

http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/clubhouse/michelle-wie-decisions-1295.htm

or try this and scroll to the comments

http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/jennifer.mario/2005/07/31/jeong_jang_wire_to_wire_at_the_women_s_b

** Dude you need to get a life and get off these boards ! You must really get off on picking on 15 year old girls. **

No, the one I'm picking on is YOU, Jamie (read above), my dear fish in a barrel.

The feathers I aim to ruffle with realism are those of the Wie Warriors. Not Michelle. She's following her own star and more power to her for that.

Elsewhere, I posted that among the young phenoms, I first and foremost root for the Northern California ladies, Ms. Creamer (of Pleasanton and Mountain View), Ms. Gulbis (of Sacramento) and Ms. Christina Kim (of San Jose State)

That's the same logic for rooting for Tiger and Phil, who have strong California and in the case of Woods, strong Bay Area connections, via Stanford U.

Then come the out-of-state ladies, Ms. Pressel and Ms. Wie. Then toss in a tour veteran (Christie Kerr) who has won sporadically and is still hungry because she has yet to win a major.

That makes a nice half-dozen. And after that, I'll root for any American over anyone from another country, on both the PGA and LPGA circuits.

And Jamie, if you think your comments are fresh, that thing about picking on Wie because SHE'S ONLY A TEENAGER was SOOO July about 10 blogs back. It's almost September. Wake up!

I believe it was Jim C -- but it really doesn't matter, one of the frothing Wie Warriors who post here figured Wie would win two or three majors in 2006.

you should find that comment here:
http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/jennifer.mario/2005/07/31/jeong_jang_wire_to_wire_at_the_women_s_b

Thus, according to the prognosticator, Wie is predicted to get closer to a grand slam than Annika has so far, and to get about as close or closer than Tiger has gotten.

Methinks it's the Wie Warriors who are smoking something.

Here's my bottom line on Creamer and Wie. And I've said this in other threads, but since it's likely Jamie is still struggling to figure out how to use the search functions on a computer's browser, I'll repeat myself.

Creamer is an excellent golfer. Wie has potential but has yet to prove herself. Pressel also has potential. Only a once in a lifetime chip shot kept Pressel from being the youngest U.S. Women's Open winner.

The three of those together, all within three years of age, would make for compelling rivalries ala Nicklaus, Weiskopf, Watson and Miller of yesteryear, or Woods, Mickelson and Singh of today.

If all three of them wind up being excellent players and start battling each other on the LPGA tour, that could be a great story for the next 15-20 years. Women's golf would only benefit.

And finally, to all the Wie Warriors, maybe you'll understand that Creamer really is pretty good when you hear from an actual pro golfer, not a bunch of unhinged fans posting here...

"I did not really expect anything, especially when you see people like Paula and Cristie up there. They're winners. They've done this before."

--Annika Sorenstam, after the Wendy's tourney, waiting in the clubhouse for a playoff that never came.

You folks collectively have the last word.

-George

Wow-- how you manage to make less sense each time you blog here is astounding.
You must have a lot of time on your hands--loser!

If you are going to bring Annika into this, then there is an obvious question to ask. What does Annika have to say about Michelle Wie?

George--

Time to move out of Mom's house and get a job--geesh! Where do you have time to obsess over Paula Creamer like this ? Your life must suck!

Wow folks... chill out a little!

If you just analyse the data a little I think that you will notice that both Creamer and Wie have had exceptional results and it is reasonable to think that they will be top notch competitors for years to come. They also have both brought a lot of positive attention to the circuit!

Creamer does have 2 wins to none for Wie and she is 2nd in wins on tour, money and 3rd in rolex points so it is impossible to argue that she has not had a great season. On the tour she and Kerr have been the two best golfers not named Anika. She has been especially impressive since the tournament she won on May 22.

With 2 wins (3 including the Japanese event)Creamer has proven that she can close out a tournament and win at this level and she therefore has proven something that Wie hasn't yet but in fairness it took 9 tries for Creamer to win her first tournament. She finished 40th, 6th, 26th, 19th, 3rd, 16th, 34th, MC in her first 8 events this year. Note: at this point her caddie got injured and she swithed caddies... don't know what happened with the caddies after because Creamer's rookie Blog does not get updated often.

It is true that Wie has no wins on the LPGA tour but she placed 2nd, 12th, 14th, 2nd, 23rd, 2nd and 3rd which is very impressive (4 finishes in the top 5 out of only 7 tournaments entered).

The top 5 golfers this year based on Rolex points and money earned (Sorenstram, Creamer, Kerr, Ochoa, Jang)have also been in the top 5 in the statistics for Rolex points per event played, finishes in the Top 5 per event played, rounds in the 60's per rounds played, money earned per event. If Wie had been an official LPGA member she would have finished in the top 3 in all these categories!

Of course ultimately the category that counts the most is the wins and Wie will have to prove that she can win on the LPGA even if her stats indicate that she has that potential.

Creamer, Kerr, Ochoa, Jang and other competitors will have to keep accumulating a lot of wins if they wish to dethrone Sorenstram as the best female golfer since she wins multiple tournaments year in year out.

Morgan Pressels also seems to have a bright future but her stats on the tour this year are not as convincing. The six events that I noted that she played in (there may be another) she finished 19th, 23rd, 23rd, 19th, 2nd, 25th.

The young Asian players are also very impressive. With these and other players coming up I am sure that the LPGA will be very interesting to follow in the comming seasons.

MARC

You seem reasonable, but you do seem to have bought into some of the anti-Wie positions, at least with regard to Creamer comparisons.

You said that Creamer does have 2 wins to none for Wie. Which is true. LATER you say that Creamer has proven she can close out and win a tournament at this level which is something Wie hasn't proven yet. Still LATER you say Wie will have to prove she can win on the LPGA even if her stats indicate she has the potential.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY WIE HASN'T PROVEN SHE CAN CLOSE OUT AND WIN AN LPGA TOURNAMENT? What do you mean when you say Wie will have to prove she can win?

Hidden in these questions is the suggestion that no matter how well Michelle Wie does finishing 2nd and 3rd in strong tournament after strong tournament, she is a choker who will always find a way to lose if victory is ever within her grasp. Otherwise we would look at her record for this year and say there is no question she can win. Some people come right out with CHOKER or similar comments, but for others it is there, perhaps unknowingly, in the "prove she can close out a tournaments and win" comments.

There is nothing wrong with saying she hasn't won or that she needs to win but can we do without these catty comments about what she hasn't proved or what she needs to prove?

Michelle Wie does not just have excellent stats. In the LPGA Championship Michelle Wie had an excellent final round 69 to finish ahead of everyone in the field not named Anika at a time when Anika was considered unbeatable. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED EVEN THOUGH SHE DID NOT WIN THAT DAY SHE DID PROVE THAT SHE COULD CLOSE OUT A TOURNAMENT AND WIN.

Hey James don't get your knickers in a knot! Don't be so ready to read negativity into every comment made about Wie and read more carefully since what I wrote basically is praising both she and Creamer.

I don't buy any of the anti-Wie or the Wie can do no wrong arguments or even the Wie vs Creamer bull put out by over zealous fans. I say lets just watch and enjoy two very promising golfers (along with the other interesting players of course) and hope they keep developing and bringing good things to the sport (which they have already done so early in their careers)!

Of course Wie doesn't have to prove anything. However the majority of sports fans always hold the highest esteem for atheletes who win. In individual sports, like golf, you have to be a champion before you can be considered a Champion. Winning a Major and winning a lot of tournaments is eventually what golfers carreers are measured by... so eventually Wie, Creamer, Kerr etc will be measured by that standard. That is just how it always goes. It is why Sorenstram and Woods are considered great champions.

I think Wie will win a lot of tournaments including majors and I am looking forward to her first of many wins on the LPGA!

Do I think she should have won by now to justify all the positive things that have been written about her? Absolutely not... Creamer was the second youngest winner ever on the tour and Wie is 3 years younger so give her a chance and a few more events. I think Wie's finishes are outstanding after so few events and considering that she has entered all the Majors and the Evian (she has taken on the best fields).

When I mention how her stats hold up against the leaders of the LPGA this year I am saying that she has statistics in the top three on key indicators... except wins. The fact remains she has not won yet but I think that her amazing list of finishes and her golfing statistics in those events show that it is probably just a matter of time.

It isn't a knock against Wie at all and I never mentioned her as a choker. She did have a bad last round at the US Open after being in the lead but Creamer has done that too (losing the Wegman's to Ochoa after being ahead in the last round)... I dont think that makes either one a choker, Creamer came back to win her biggest tournament at the Evian a few weeks later (Sorenstram and other champions will lose leads sometimes so to use a label like choker is ignorant unless it happens consistently and even then...).

Wie seems like a winner at the game of life and I am certain she will be a winner on the LPGA soon!

By the way James... I think the term "closing out a tournament" most commonly is used in the golfing context as winning a tournament that you had a lead near the end (start of the last round or later). Having a good last round (which Wie has done on a number of occasions)is great but it isn't refered to as closing out a tournament and it certainly doesn't put you on the winners' list unless you finish first when all is said and done.