The Weetabix Women's British Open: Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, and... Jeong Jang?

Actually, the wine must have made you loose sight of the fact that there are "8" at the top of the leaderboard.... 1 Jeong Jang 2:15 -13 68 66 69 203 T2 Cristie Kerr 2:05 -8 73 66 69 208 T2 Annika Sorenstam 2:15 -8 73 69 66 208 T4 Sophie Gustafson 1:55 -7 69 73 67 209 T4 Liselotte Neumann 1:45 -7 71 70 68 209 T4 Paula Creamer 2:05 -7 75 69 65 209 T4 Young Kim 1:45 -7 74 68 67 209 T4 *Michelle Wie 1:55 -7 75 67 67 209

GO JENNIFER!

I LOVE IT EVERYTIME YOU PROVE CHRIS WRONG!!

I think as Michelle Wie returns to high school with a third standing at the 2005 Weetabix Championship is quite an accomplishment in spite of her putting problem. It's a good thing she is 15 years old therefore have ample time to develop and grow.

*I'm posting this comment here because it serves nothing by clicking on the other blogger. A message to the editors of Travelgolf - free speech is one thing for one of your bloggers, but to incite fanatical hatred towards a young Asian American golfer is unsportsmanlike and unhinged.*

Anyone who nitpicks at Michelle Wie's game will live to rue it in the months and years to come. Come on give her a break she is only 15. Just watch her grow in her game and in also beauty. She will one day be the reason why golf fans esp the male ones are tuning in more on women's golf.

Wie indeed shall overcome and be the next Tiger Woods of women golfing. You go girl.

Good point Stephen--I think all the people who are appalled by Chris Baldwin needs to avoid his "article"--its only fueling his hatred.

I think Chris B. feelings are bordering on unnatural, and obsessive hatred as well- I think this website would do well to get rid of him before he ruins its reputation.

BJ on the bag. Michelle Wie finished in a tie for 3rd with her father as caddie. Neither one is familar with the course, and BJ is not even a professional caddie. But Michelle has been able to play steady golf and it seems that only her putting has suffered. Even though she struggled with her putting, her final round was bogey-free.

Whatever her naysayers might think, Michelle is establishing a solid record upon which she can build--and the only person whose interpretation of this record has any meaning is Michelle herself. Michelle knows she has shown improvement this year.

The Wie's are very smart. They accept the fact that she will be at a disadvantage putting with BJ on the bag. But he does make her feel comfortable. She has solid rounds. She does not make any really bad mistakes. Except for her putting, she is clearly the best woman golfer in the world. Her game continues to develop. She consistently puts herself in position where she has a chance to win, even with her putting problems.

Suppose Michelle goes pro at 16. She will get tons of endorsement money. She will get a top golf person to work full time as her caddie. Someone will be found who can work well with her--perhaps a top golf instructor or former pro who doesn't caddie at present. And this person will be a lot more help than BJ in reading the course and particularly the greens. Add to this another year of maturity for Michelle. As a full time high school student playing golf part time I think Michelle could win multiple Majors next year on the LPGA and make more than one PGA cut.

Did anyone hear Paula Creamer's latest interview? Somebody got to her. Instead of contemptuously blowing off a Michelle Wie rivalary question like she did last week, she was very respectful--claiming to be Michelle's friend, and looking forward to the day when Michelle would join the tour at which time there would presumeably be a friendly rivalry.

Very insightful stuff Jim...

Didn't even realize the disadvantage of not having a professional caddie--that just makes Michelle's 3rd place finish even more impressive.

I was impressed with what Paula Creamer said about Michelle Wie as well ---Its nice to see a 19 year old that is that mature and classy --unlike a balding , middle-aged blogger here that will go unnamed.

Jim - definitely insightful comment about Michelle Wie's dad being her caddie because several British sportswriters had made similar observations. It's a credit to the British golf writers that even when they're critical of Michelle Wie's playing, they are mindful of her age and efforts, and certainly not vicious or even hateful towards the person.

Take a read under "Golf"
timesonline.co.uk or telegraph.co.uk

Hey Guys...

This impotent is a racist, period. He hates people with color and that's it. That is why he is rooting for a American white golfer to win and be on top. Too bad for him, but the LPGA will continue to be dominated by Asians, no matter what. Even the PGA is dominated by an Asian--Tiger Woods, if anyone care to remember is Asian.

But, the more we post our indignance on this guys blog, we are only giving reason for his bosses to give him a bigger raise. So the way to go around this is to response to his childis tirades by posting these at Jen's blog page--like I am doing.

http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/jennifer.mario

Thanks for keeping things real on this site.

To riorules

It bothers me that things have gotten so nasty, but seriously I don't think Chris believes what he says. He is trying to stir the pot and get responses. He knows Michelle figures to be better than Paula--but if he wanted to get people to become involved, it is hard to see how he could have done any better. Did you see how many responses he got? Did you also see how few respondents agree with him?

I am more disturbed by other people. Nancy Lopez. The LPGA pros who couldn't beat Michelle on the golf course, butj objected to her exemption into the US Open last year. And Tiger Woods for spending too much time basking in the glow of all this praise of his approach to golf as a youngster, while Michelle was being raked over the coals.

I believe racism may be part of the package, but most is just jealousy, and fear that her challenging of the men may undermine the "Women's game". By which is meant the LPGA since obviously she is doing more to promote golf for women than anyone in years.

Riorules have legitimate points about racism even if some might feel uncomfortable in discussing racism in golf. Let's face it, there aren't that many golfers of color even with Tiger Woods.

The other blogger on this website is motivated by personally motivated hatred towards the racial diversity in our society. The editors of this website allow him to couch his racially-motivated hatred in golfing analyses. It is one thing to be critical of a golfer, but to tear at a young Asian American golfer is unconscionable.

I can see that the older LPGA members griping about Michelle Wie due to insecurity, envy, and even some young amateurs are complaining about Michelle Wie out of sheer jealousy. It is obvious that they do not understand that they benefit a great deal from Michelle Wie bringing attention to golf.

thank you for calming me down after reading the idiocy that is chris baldwin. michelle wie has proven that she far transcends her "hype." hopefully, during her off season she can improve on her putting. when she does, without a doubt, she will be one of the game's greatest.

Racism? So anyone who dislikes Michelle Wie, particularly if it is strong distate, does so because of race? Do realize how ridiculous and stupid that statement is?

Nothing pisses me off than someone 'assuming' someone else's motivations with absolutely zero proof to support their contentions. Can you point to one comment made by Chris, or anyone else on these blogs for that matter, that indicates racism is at the core of their perspective? Could it possibly be entirely conjecture on your part?

The evil of racism seems to have morphed into something just as distasteful. Honest discourse being shouted down by nitwits brandishing unsubstantiated claims of racism.

Baldwin's a troll, and best left ignored.

It will drive him crazy.