The following is a statement e-mailed to me by Michelle Wie’s spokesman, Jesse Derris of Ken Sunshine Consultants in New York. My colleague Tim McDonald cites a part of this statement in this blog but I thought it was only fair to run the entire thing. It is in regards to the departure of her caddie, Greg Johnston.
Derris said:
“Greg Johnston’s hard work and dedication made him a great partner for Michelle, as he would be for any other golfer. His departure comes as part of Michelle’s maturation as a golfer, part of which is learning from many different bright golf minds. We wish Greg the best, and are sure he will have a long and successful career.”
I think this pretty much says it all, don’t you?
| « TravelGolf.com now hiring blogging caddies named Greg Johnston! | Prior to British Open, writer Lawrence Donegan gets in on the Michelle Wie bashing » |



Juli Inkster said that Johnston is very bad at reading greens, and she worked with him for quite a while.
The pros today should go back to clown college where they obviously belong.
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Why would she keep on a guy who can't read greens!? Not an essential skill for a caddie, granted. But still pretty basic.
Juli Inkster did fire Greg Johnston. She did it over the fact that the Wies did not ask her permission to use Greg at the Samsung. But looking back, one has to wonder whether she just used that as an excuse to get rid of him. Her game certainly improved after she dumped him.
If Michelle Wie were my student, I would give her an A- for the shot where she incurred the penalty. Faced with an obstacle, she came up with a very ingenious and creative solution based upon her understanding of the rules. You can't teach that kind of creative golf, I would be thrilled.
However, for an A she would have needed to do more. First realize that the rules of golf probably anticipate what she had in mind and have made it illegal--but if it is feasible by all means call in a rules official, explain what you have in mind, and get a ruling ahead of time. If that is not feasible--barring any certain knowledge, assume your brilliance has been anticipated and ruled illegal.