Pretty freaking sad that the only story coming out of MD is MW. Evidently the other players in the field are worthy of no one's attention, ehh Chris?

I think I qualify as a Wie Warrior, and I said pretty much the same thing as Davies--with a slight difference. She would not have withdrawn had she been 14 under, and probably would not have withdrawn at 14 over if not for the 88 rule. But she did have an injury and she was within her rights citing that as the official reason for her withdrawl.

You have to recognize that Davies can make her argument, and I can make the same argument--but if Michelle were to mske the same argument, her critics would savage her for considering herself above the rules. Tell the truth Chris, wouldn't you have savaged Michelle Wie for somthing like that as recently as a week ago.

The purpose of the 88 rule was never to eliminate top players who have proven themselves. If that were the case why doesn't it apply to an LPGA player loke Kelly Robbins who shot a 90 on Sunday? It is clear to me that the spirit of the law would say it should not be applied on a tough course to a proven player coming back from an injury who said before the start that she was not 100 %.

Now to the Saturday practice. To keep LPGA players from skipping tournaments the week before big events, the way Jack did with the Majors, the LPGA has a rule against practing on a course the previous week. The reason for the rule does not exist for players who are restricted to 6 to 8 events a year.

The LPGA must be filled with a lot of wimps if the majority of players believe (1)that Michelle Wie has hown that she is not an LPGA caliber player and should be banned for a year on the grounds of not being good enough, and (2)that this player who is not up to LPGA standards gets an unfair advantage over them by getting in an extra day or two of practice Saturday and Sunday(?).

But if we do acknowledge that Michelle is of LPGA quality and should not be banned any more than Kelly Robbins should be, is it fair that she is not subject to the previous week rule? On this issue I might have some sympathy except for one point. The people who are complainig are the members of the LPGA and are the ones who made these rules. I assume they could change this rule tomorrow if they wished to do so. For example, to avoid an unfair competive advantage, players ranked in the top 50 100, 200 or whatever could be exempt from the 88 rule but subject to the previous week rule. But I realy see no need for anyone to be subject to the 88 rule. How likely is it that sponsors are going to want to give a lot of exemptions to players who can't shoot better than an 88?

Here's an idea. High ranked grade A players should be sebject to the previous week rule--but be allowed 8 exemptions a year. Lower ranked grade B players are treated the same as now.

Michelle's only mistake was not saying it was PMS that lead to her to withdraw from the Ginn. She would have received sympathy from the entire LPGA tour and this week would be a non-issue.

Chris,
As you said Nicole Castrale barely even knows who she is, so the reporters would have to get some bigger names to back up Annika if it were to make a story.

I stand corrected. Dot Wong's link gave some history on the 88 Rule. There was no need to give Wie an exemption to the rule, nor for that matter is there any reason the rule could not be extended to include LPGA players themselves. The purpose of the rule was to encourage players who are really struggling to withdraw so they will no longer slow down play for others. Basically the LPGA told Michelle Wie that she was performing at a level where respect for the other players on the course dictated that she should withdraw, and that there could be a year ban if she did not do so and finished at 88 or higher. She withdrew. I am sure she would have been quite happy to say she was withdrawing because of the 88 rule if the LPGA had made it clear that in doing so she was doing what she was expected to do out of respect for other players on the course.

CHRIS,

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Since you are reporting on the lpga championship, it's important you are made aware of this bit of news if you haven't heard it already.

Here is comments from Janice Moodie Wie's playing partner at the Ginn Tribue.
------------------------
Moodie told me she heard Wie say, "Ouch!" after hitting her tee shot on the first hole, which was the group's 10th of the day. Wie had said that was precisely when she began feeling the pain. "My caddie and I were the only ones who heard it," Moodie said. "She didn't swing as hard from that point on." As for Wie's purported petulance, Moodie added, "She was great to play with. Very friendly and respectful."
--------------------------
http://www.pga.com/news/grantmethis/GMT_060607.cfm

With Wie-Wee in the On Deck Circle, Kari is in & Morgan on 18 are at -4.

Brittany is on 18 at -3.

Paula is in at -1.

On what hole will Wie-Wee quit today?

It's 2:20 p.m. I cna't believe Wie-Wee has not withdrawn, yet.

Oh! I think Wie-Wee is starting to make her move.....Yes, there she goes again!!!! +1 after 3.

Soo Yun Kang played one hole pared it and withdrew from the lpga championship.

Hey Wie-Wee - Your'e going the wrong way....+2 after 5!

Maybe Soo Yun has "tweaked" her wrist??? You know that can happen!!!

+4 after 6.....anticipating a WD any minute now!

It is pretty sad that with all that is happening today that all chris and John D have to do is chronicle Ms Wie's progress or lack thereof. She will remain an inspiration to my Daughter (who took up Golf after last years Kraft Nabisco) and a pleasure for me to watch her play.