I’m the worst golfing golf writer in the world. Certified. When I come upon a long par 5, I write down an eight on my scorecard before teeing off and hope nobody calls me on shaving off a stroke. Or three (if there’s any water to shank a shot into nearby).
Yet, I putt better than Michelle Wie.
When I arrived at my hotel room today, I turned on the TV and stumbled across the Golf Channel - just in time to see the Marketing Miracle blow a shortie on No. 17. Talk about your karma.
Sure, Wie went on to birdie the 18th for the third straight day and she’s in prime position to do just enough to lose another one in the final round of the LPGA Championship. Really, the only question for Sunday is: How short are the missed putts that blow Wie’s chance going to be?
Putting is the one time on the golf course I don’t look I’m swinging in the dark, while being held upside down under water. Long one putts have saved me from many a huge number (OK, many a huger number).
And it’s the one thing on the golf course Wie shows no clue about (besides maybe those pesky drop rules). Relatively to our comparative skill levels of course.
There’s something to that. Who hasn’t heard that putting reveals character line? I can putt (at my level). Michelle Wie can’t (at hers).
I don’t know Wie Warriors. You might be worshipping a false idol.
No need to fret though. I’ve saved plenty of room on my bandwagon for you all.
If you’re good, there will even be BALDWIN PUTT ROCKS buttons in it for you. For a mere $9.95 shipping and handling fee.
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Jason Scott Deegan:
The Accidental Golfer:
Katharine Dyson:
Kiel Christianson:
You thought we forgot about your assinine comments comparing Michelle, Creamer & Pressel a few months ago... didn't you?
Maybe you should keep quiet about Michelle as every new tournament just makes your "stinky" foot go further down your throat.
Morgan Pressel, the 18-year-old rookie and runner-up at last year's U.S. Women's Open, was two shots off the lead after a birdie on the second hole, but that was as good as it got. Tossing clubs in frustration, she collapsed to a 7-over 79 and finished the third round 10 shots out of the lead.
Did they show that on the Golf Channel?
She forgets the basic tenet of golf and that is you need to beat the golf course. She's messed up mentally with this obsession and it's showing big time.
Pat Hurst putted so craptastic that I would swear she had the yips. Her 4-putt late in the round was stunningly bad.
I wonder how much Travelgolf.com pay Google for the service. When you search Michelle wie in Yahoo you won't find this website.
I guess if Baldie's job is to attract more hits to this website then he has done his job. Like I said numerous times before how sad it is to make a living bashing a teenage girl.
Either way, integrity doesn't seem to be a part of his thought process. Baldwin bashes Wie for being a marketing machine, well, then what are you? Judging from his archives, Baldwin is one vicious and mean character with an underlying insecure and petty character.
At least Wie, so far, hasn't made any disparaging remarks about anyone and continues to carry herself with class and poise. And just keeps on doing what she needs to do as a pro.
And what the heck is a Wie Warrior anyway?
Ai and Pat have never been in this position at a Major before and last year Michelle went three under while Annika went one over in the final round.
Lets spell it together baldwin, W I E!
Wow! Correct on both counts and something we can all agree on at last!
And here I was thinking you were deluding yourself into believing you were a good writer. I stand corrected.
Just what exactly is it that you do well? It isn't golf, and it isn't journalism.
I suspect you have trouble paying the bills and are envious of anyone else who doesn't. The truth is that 16-year-old Michelle has a game that would have waxed Tiger Woods at 16. That amazes people, and shows her incredible potential, and we like her. Get over it.
Rocks? Buttons? For $9.95? Give us a break Baldie and put your putt putt rocks back in your pants and use those buttons to close up your "teenie-weenie" fly.
And don't save us any room on your bandwagon as you can stay up there by yourself and play with your little flute for all we care.
Just remember to use your real name and age.
If you've forgotten, check your Korean birth certificate.
What the hell is that supposed to mean, you loser? Yeah, it's so easy for you to use qualifications for yourself, but yet you criticize people for saying Michelle is only 16 as to why she hasn't won yet?
Be a man for once, Chrissy Baldwin.
I see your back at trying to top your buddy Tim at Wie bashing. It's a good bet (the odds are 3.5 to 1) that she'll win today or again have a top 5 finish in a major. Why, because she has game, a golf game that is. Something you leave on the course after a 3 putt on a green where the only contour is your stomach
Yet she continues to stuggle on the putts. Most 16 YO's putt unconsciously. Wie is the first kid with the yips I've even seen. Let's face it, she's the Sergio Garcia of the LPGA.
It works in that you do get responses, but you know as we all know that it's just a matter of time before Michelle wins.
I feel sorry for you. Really. You won't have anything to write about then, and your deluded and immature sense of "importance" in golf commentary will be no more.
Oh, that's right.
From 11 to 15, she birdied 3 holes and got 2 pars.
She made a mistake on hole 16, and bogied that.
She then played 17 very well.
On 18, she gave her putt a real chance which meant if it missed there would be a long par putt.
She did extremely well down the stretch and her only real mistake was at 16. Given that she birdied 3 of the 5 previous holes, it would be silly to be hard on her.
She made just one mistake, and even the two experienced veteran's Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb made mistakes down the stretch also.
So well done to Michelle on a very good attempt, and well done to Se Ri Pak for an excellent performance and becoming a major champion again.
By the way, Se Ri Pak is a great person. I was cheering for her on the playoff and was delighted she won it.
It isn't very difficult when there is 13 players within 2 shots of the lead, and then just to pick one player and say she won't win.
The odds were against her. If I said Ai Miyazato wouldn't win before the last round, should I be gloating?
Norman [Visitor]
Very good performance by Michelle Wie down the stretch. **
[Boggles]
Kind of like saying the Boston Red Sox performed well down the stretch prior to October 2004. Norman figures they performed well except for when the game was on the line.
**From 11 to 15, she birdied 3 holes and got 2 pars.**
From innings 1 through 8 in the World Series and/or playoffs, the Red Sox were playing fine defense and getting timely hits.
Seriously, Norman, or any of the other Wie Warriors, maybe you can actually come up with something useful.
To wit, if you all are done being self-delusional, I have a serious question here. Especially since you love to come up with statistics to "prove" Wie is playing better these days.
Is Wie putting better, worse, or the same compared with a year ago? What stats would you use?
Because it's pretty clear that, physically, it's the putting that's been keeping her away from win number one.
Mentally, maybe Wie still does not have the toughness to actually do what it takes to win.
And Joe Cool, I don't think Baldwin is gloating. Remember when he posted this originally. Wie at that point was within a shot of the lead. He actually went out on a limb because there were a gazillion ways Wie could have won, and a gazillion ways she could have lost.
It wasn't so much gloating, which can only be done after the fact. It was more a case of predicting, based on a pattern of play by Michelle.
So far, the pattern is alive and well.
The real question is why?
-George
I totally agree with Randy. MW is and has been a poor putter all her career and it hasn't changed one bit. I can't believe all these guys, including herself are into this make-believe that she actually putted well on the fourth round. Get real!
To win championships regularly in the LPGA one has to average 28-29 putts per round. Michelle had 35 on the fourth round; and 30 and over in the other previous three rounds. If she had been only an average LPGA putter (29.5 putts per round); she would have won by six or seven shots. Chris Badlwin is right on this one.
-ANNIKA BOGEYING THE LAST HOLE
-PAT HURST AND HER UGLY ROUND (ANOTHER FOUR-PUTT TODAY)
-SE RI PAK'S 3-PUTT ON THE LAST TO WIN IT (in regulation)
-MI-HYUN KIM'S MANY MANY OPPORTUNITIES MISSED
-AI MIYAZATO AND HER LET-DOWN PERFORMANCE TODAY (AI SHOULD KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT WINNING...SHE WON 12 TIMES ON THE JAPAN LPGA TOUR...)
-MORGAN PRESSEL'S 79-78 WEEKEND (SHE SAYS SHE HAS GONE ABOUT THE "RIGHT" WAY IN PLAYING AMATEUR GOLF & WINNING AND LEARNING HOW TO WIN...BULLS***)
Yes Michelle bogeyed the 16th which made her lose all momentum, but she did come out with some positives this week.
SHe showed that she could really play against some of the PGA tour players on Monday's sectional, she showed that even after that 36-hole grueling fight, she had a top-5 finish (top 5 finishes in the last 4 of 5 majors)...seriously...she has accomplished more in one week than ANY OF THE WIE-BASHERS AND WIE-FANATICS ALIKE!!!
Find and place in the easiest local qualifier for the 2007 US Open, get into the sectional at a place like Canoe Brook and beat 53rd place, and you will have proved your are a better putter than MW.
But wait, can you match MW for hitting fairways and hitting greens in regulation? These go along with putting in the game of golf.
Right, you did not say you were a better golfer than MW just that you were a better putter.
In your dreams, CB.
See you next year.
You people do not have your name atop
any leader-boards, as far as I have ever seen. I'll lay YOU odds that at
20 she has taken more majors than you
or anyone else on this blog. 'nuff
said....
And Joe Cool, I don't think Baldwin is gloating. Remember when he posted this originally. Wie at that point was within a shot of the lead. He actually went out on a limb because there were a gazillion ways Wie could have won, and a gazillion ways she could have lost.
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George, when Chris Baldwin posted his blog, there were 2 players ahead of Wie, there were another 2 level with her, there were 3 one shot behind, and 6 players 2 shots behind her.
It was not a difficult equation to work out that the odds were against her.
If you took the people who were ahead or level with her, that would still have given her just a 1 in 5 chance of winning.
Of course the chances proved even lower because the winner came from a girl who was a shot behind her.
There were 8 people withing 2 shots of the lead, giving Wie a 1 in 8 chance.
So Chris Baldwin's predicting powers don't impress me.
If Chris can pick the winner of the US Women's Open, maybe that would impress.
But if we all had to pick a single player and say, she won't win, should we all be congratulated on our predicting powers.
By the way, I predict Paula Creamer won't win the US Womens Open. If I am right, I hope you will congratulate.
Baldwin got this one right about her putting. I watched every minute of all 4 rounds and what I saw was aplayer tied for 5th who should have won by 6.
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Randy, did you watch any of the other players?
- Pat Hurst could have won by at least 10.
- Karrie Web could have won by 6.
- Annika could have won by 6.
However, like Michelle, they made mistakes. Every player makes mistakes in golf tournaments, and for all those near the lead, they can all look back and say they left quite a few shots out there. That is just the nature of golf.
Yeeoouch! OK, so if I read this self-analysis correctly, her "B" game is good enough to wallop most of the big name lady golfers on tour...right? And if she only brought her "A" game to the championship...she would have destroyed the field of lesser--- what---- "hackers."
OK, maybe I’m over reacting here, and admittedly I do think she’s going about things the wrong way (her millions in endorsement contracts notwithstanding), but in two recent post-event interviews, MW has given us insight into her view on where she stands in the golfing world. One of her comments comes after missing the qualifying slot at the U.S. Open sectional when the interviewer asked about what she'd say to those that criticize teh controversial way she’s beginning her pro career. Her response was roughly, Yeah, well I'll do what I wants to do; and now, after placing 5th in a major LPGA tourney headlining some of the best lady players in the world (including a Hall-of-Famer or two): "I played my 'B' game and I was still in the top five."
C'mon...don't tell me the other accomplished ladies on the tour are going to let that one just lay there...are they??? OK, confident, competitive, sure of herself, yada yada yada...but isn't that also laced with arogance, precociousness, self-centeredness...kinda sours the overall flavor...no?
She's got talent, she can win tournaments, she's no doubt the major golfing story today, but jeesh, could someone please teach her patience, humility, regard for the game and respect for her fellow sportsmen and her sport.
I think she can expect continued sub-zero shouldering from the ladies of the LPGA, and I can't blame them for giving it. A shame, because she could probably benefit from a seasoned mentor on the tour, but heck...few of them can beat her "B" game anyway, so why should she bother to seek help from lesser beings. I suppose a six-foot frame can house alot of ego.
My bet for the upcoming Women's Open is any of the old ladies: Annika/Karrie/Se Ri/Juli Inkster; or Lorena. MW won't be able to handle the slicky USGA greens.
But...honest to god, it came off as - well if I can place 5th with just my B game, just think what could've been if, etc...
Just an observation.
By the way, on a different note, I want to make clear that Bubbles will win on the LPGA Tour, maybe even this year. With her talent it would be virtually impossible for her to NOT win in that company eventually. So, silly Wiemen, that's not a prediction that makes you the Great Kreskin. The real question is: will she live up to her potential and the inordinate hype? The answer is that she doesn't seem to stand a very good chance of fulfilling the former, and she'll never, in a million years, live up to the latter.
I agree you guys are way too sensitive, that B game comment was so innocuous...
If you think that's arrogant, then it would probably be a good idea for you to stop watching pro-sports altogether
I think she really feels her game is not only superior to that of the other lady tour players, but on a plane unto fore reached by any female golfer (perhaps male too) in the history of the sport. And you know, maybe that’s exactly the only mind set she should have, given her goals. It still seems that she’s going about her ambition in the wrong way, and I know that’s completely subjective on my part. Now, before some of you fellow posters respond with: Are you playing in front of thousands, on TV, for gobs of money?
Do you have a multi-million dollar endorsement deal? Are you even six feet tall? OK, NO I AM NOT, I DO NOT, and I WISH...but neither are any of those things pre-conditions to a spectator expressing an opinion, or griping about arrogance in professional sports, or looking enviously upon a youngster’s prowess in sports. Do we really like arrogance in sports? Is it really arrogant to express an opinion counter to some others? Is it really surprising that many of us look askance at this 16 year old girl’s reported pre-dominance in a sport she really hasn’t dominated, yet? All these questions make talking about Wie a heck of a lot of fun...she's the star of the show, and in the end...that’s why we post to blogs like this... it’s just fun to do.
btw, as someone pointed out on another site, Annika said in her post round interview that she was playing at around 75%. How is that different than what Michelle said?
*********************
It is alot different. That probably means Annika brought her D game to the tournament.
It's one of the reasons I dislike her and, quite frankly, she couldn't shoot a high enough score for my tastes.
**************************
You don't like her?
Really Under Par, could we have guessed that?
Sorry but she won't be shooting any high scores on the lpga any time soon. Pressel is taking over in that regard, backing up a 79, with a 78.
If you want arrogance, you should have named Pressel. She is the US Amateur Champion, and has said how she knows how to close the deal and all that.
If you wanted Michelle to shoot a high score, you should have been rooting for to qualify for the US Open.
There, she may have shot a high score along with many top class pros.
Anyway, Under Par, it's nice that you expressed your true opinions.
btw, as someone pointed out on another site, Annika said in her post round interview that she was playing at around 75%. How is that different than what Michelle said? **
Umm, because Sorenstam has already WON a bunch of tournaments, while Wie is zero for everything?
-George
i'm a Wie fan, but i must admit, the "B-game" comment didn't come off sounding good. it wasn't terrible. but she could've been a little wiser with her choice of words. maybe that'll come with some more age/experience (like it has with countless athletes who've started young and matured a little).
"What do you think of your game especially when you didn't play that well and yet came so clsoe to win a major?"
How is this different from saying a B game?
Everybody who is nattering about Wie is just nattering--small minded nattering and really mean and childish and to think it's coming from grown people, mostly of the male variety, which is obviously not synonymous with mature and wise. Could that have zenophobic and sexist overtones also?
She goes out there tournament after tournament inspite of the perceived hostile environment created by some LPGA players, bloggers like Baldwin, some PGA players, and the media and, guess what?! she goes out and plays well. No wins yet, but what does the No. 2 ranking mean? It means that she has the skill, game, and toughness to win one day.
Again, what is a Wie Warrior?
Michelle Wie is 16 years old....most of the PGA players have been playing longer than she is old -- Baldie, wait til MW "peaks"....she's still developing as a player ... and really, WHAT A PHENOMENON for her age and years of playing...
Check Baldie's stats on MW in another 10-15 years....assuming Baldie's track record will be good enough to be still writing about MW!
This will be a gas!!!
Keep up the good work writing and working up the audience, Baldie!
I think the reference to a "Wie Warrior" translates to a Wie supporter. Although when Chris Baldwin uses it he means it in a deragatory manner.
From this point, the legend of Pete Sampras was re-lived. Wie went on to state in pretty direct terms that "the other players didn't beat me, I beat myself" by giving shot away.
Ohhh, ok, that's how it is, huh? Beautiful, just beautiful. Let the excuse machine reign, and long live Sodabum.
that said, there's no need to give anybody else out there any "bulletin board" material to motivate her to beat you (recall the "Tiger Who?" hat or the comments that Stephen Ames made about Tiger's driving before the Match Play).