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What the Solheim Cup meant to Michelle Wie

Monday August 24, 2009 | 13:51:56 233 words, 16204 views
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Sorry guys. I hate to be the one to pee in the pool but just a word of caution about all this fawning over Michelle Wie. Her Solheim Cup performance was magnificent, yes, but match play on home turf in front of friendly crowds is a different animal from tournament golf. Perhaps some of you can recall Peter Baker’s performance at The Belfry in the 1993 Ryder Cup Matches. He played like a lion. Baker qualified for that team by winning his 2nd and 3rd career Euro Tour wins and, following his awesome Ryder Cup play, never won another event. Sadly, he finally lost his Tour card 5 years ago and is now on the Euro Challenge Tour.

The most gifted in sports don’t always reach their potential. We’ve been through this discussion a few years ago when Wie was just missing cuts on the PGA Tour, so I won’t bother to repeat just yet. And I’m not saying she won’t flower now. In fact, I believe she will soon. It was huge that she was able to dig out that win on Sunday after coughing up a three hole advantage over Helen Alfredsson. In years past, I doubt she would have been able to do that. This rookie year was always going to be about her learning to win. Let’s just exercise a little caution before anointing Michelle Wie as Annika Sorenstam’s successor. Again.


Comments:

Comment from: coolio [Visitor]
Also, don't forget on what Bu88les' hype and $$$ are based on: dominating the LPGA, contenting in the PGA, playing in the Ryder Cup, Masters, etc, defeating Tiger Woods by the time she is twenty years old (which is not far off, by the way, so Bu88les better hurry up), etc.

Bu88les did not achieve any of these promises (actually she never won on the LPGA -- a fact the golf channel and others try to hide), and therefore has been exposed as the fake and liar she is.

--Coolio
Permalink 08/24/09 @ 16:11
Comment from: Ray Jeske [Visitor] Email
Wie will be an all-time great. All she has needed is to be healthy. She will win dozens of LPGA events. We've never seen the likes of her. And she will many times make cuts on the men's tour. You can rant and rave. Or you can sit back and enjoy the greatness. The choice is each of ours.
Permalink 08/24/09 @ 16:46
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor] Email
"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greatest golf critic of them all?" Shanks, get a life! "Michelle played pretty good, BUT."

Coolio, it sounds like you had a fight with your boyfriend...go home and bake some bread!
Permalink 08/24/09 @ 22:24
Comment from: Kiel Christianson [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/authorarchives/christianson.htm
True, caution is advised. But match play CAN make or break people. Ask Chris Riley if you want to know about the "break" part. And ask Monty for the "make" part. Without the Ryder Cup, few on this side of the pond would ever have known he existed. (And btw, coolio, it's Wie's first season on the LPGA; quit using the past tense as if she'd already retired. Is the present perfect too tough for you to formulate?)
Permalink 08/24/09 @ 22:28
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor] Email
Aside from how good Wie is, she is certainly marketable. Even without a sponsor the LPGA figures to be able to turn a profit with the Kapalua Classic if they revive it. To help market the event, I would ask Pressel and Wie to be cohosts for the tournament.
Permalink 08/25/09 @ 00:27
Comment from: Shanks [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Nothing draws the passionate responses as does anything regarding Michelle Wie. Everybody wants to say "Great" or "Bust" now. RIGHT NOW! I merely suggest taking a wait-and-see attitude. The talent is obvious but how well will it be harnessed? However it turns out, it will be fascinating to witness. And discuss.

I must confess that as I watched the day unfold, I felt very happy for Wie. When you consider all Wie's had to deal with, including the controlling parents and the intense public scrutiny, it seemed only just that she experience this moment, this success, this acceptance by her peers. After all, she's still a kid and that was evident by her giddy responses to post match interviews.
Permalink 08/25/09 @ 07:59
Equally impressive has been her attitude. Though Wie lets loose with the occasional fist pump, it's a long time coming but she's the only saving grace in her tour.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 05:04
Comment from: wunderkind [Visitor] Email
The solheim cup is a 3-day exhibition, don't read too much into it. The LPGA will contunue to struggle for survival.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 08:37
Comment from: Kiel Christianson [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/authorarchives/christianson.htm
One interesting aspect of the Solheim was the cameraderie between Wie and Pressel -- according to "experts," there is supposed to be animosity there. I saw none as I watched the post-cup revelry (or when they were paired on the first day).
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 09:27
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
Ray Jeske,

From your post, we can gather either of two things.

You are serious in your comments, in which case you are in need of immediate psychological counseling,

Or, you're attempting to play devil's advocate on order to elicit responses.

If you are serious, and Bubbles, in your estimation, will win dozens of LPGA events, she had better get started since she has at least 24 to go. How long do you think it will take for her to reach that two dozen milestone?
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 09:34
Comment from: Shanks [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
In an interview they said they were roommates for the week.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 09:35
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
Shanks,

You and others say that Bubbles will win on the LPGA tour "soon".

Just what is your definition of "soon?"

That word is indefinite so perhaps another word or phrase can be substituted.

Will she win this week? This year? Sometime in her next five tournaments? Ten tournaments? By the end of 2010?

Please, move the goalposts as far back as you wish, but arrive at something more definite than "soon."
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 09:43
Comment from: Shanks [Member] Email · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
That's a fair criticism, Alex, although I was being intentionally vague. If Wie goes back to the full-time college schedule, and I have no idea what is going on with that, then it would be unreasonable to make any prediction of a win. But regardless of that, I would say that I expect her to have a win by this time next year. She is still a work in progress, but that is the key word: progress. I suppose most naysayers, though perhaps not you, would agree that she perform very well under pressure last weekend. And, truthfully, that is a positive change.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 10:07
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor] Email
2006 HSBC mathch play interview. Pressel was asked leading questions designed to elicit anti-Wie comments and she did not bite on any of them. Pressel has not been anti-Wie in more than 3 years.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 20:45
Comment from: Thedailyreviewer [Visitor] Email · http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/golf
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Permalink 08/26/09 @ 21:37
Comment from: Florida Mike [Visitor] Email · http://portateck@msn.com
It was just nice to see her enjoying herself and the team spirit exhibited by the entire USA team. There was geunuine feeling in the way they interacted. I quit posting on this blog site due to the unrelenting, disrespectful and unwarranted criticism towards Michelle by some of the commentors. I hope some of it is mitigated by her performance and the acceptance showed towards her by her peers. I realize some (alex, smails...etc) will never give her credit or respect as they have been attacking her since she turned 14...sad. Heres to looking forward to more good golf by Ms Wie.
Permalink 08/26/09 @ 23:17
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
Florida Mike,

There was never any need for you to stop posting on this site.

You have the opinion that Bubbles is a great role model for girls like your daughter. You also think that she has shown the ultimate in class in her career. You see nothing wrong with the manner in which she disrespected Annika. You feel that she is entirely blameless in any of the controversies that have at times surrounded her. And, until President Obama and his minions decree otherwise, you have a perfect right to express those opinions.

By the same token, Judge Smails and I along with several others, have opinions also. For instance, I believe that she is far and away the most over publicized female golfer in history. I also think that she has played on this hype to her enrichment, in contrast to the popular thought that she is just an innocent teenage babe in the woods.
I know that her snubbing of Annika was a amjor insult to a great golfer, as was her refusal to play in a pro-am with the CEO of Lotte corporation, the sponsor of the recent event in Korea.

You see, Mikey, we can have vastly disparate opinions of Bubbles and still engage in civil discourse. So stick around, don't go away for so long. Bubbles needs all the help she can get.


Alex USMC 1969-73
Permalink 08/27/09 @ 11:43
Comment from: Florida Mike [Visitor] Email · http://portateck@msn.com
I hear you alex, I guess I just wish you wouldn't "bubbles" her all the time. I do not find her blameless, but I probably blame her parents more than her for some of her transgressions. I also find Ms Wie to immature at times, but I am willing to overlook that in my regard for her. She is after all and especially earlier, very young and I think kept so by Bo and Mom Wie. As for Obama and ilk, I am truly worried about the direction this is going and can but hope that the dissatisfaction with their idiot health care stuff(I work in a hospital doing cat scans and I feel this gives me some insight)will also generate some more active/vocal opposition to their liberal/semi-fascist agenda.
Permalink 08/27/09 @ 16:50
Comment from: Lance R [Visitor] Email
Florida Mike states:

"I quit posting on this blog site due to the unrelenting, disrespectful and unwarranted criticism towards Michelle by some of the commentors."

Actually Florida Mike, your comments towards bloggers whom have negative opinions regarding Bu88les conduct are far more disrespectful and unwarrented than comments made by the bloggers. In a hypocritical manner, you have used words such as "obsessed", "misogynist", "curmudgeons", and "scumwaffles" (that one really hurt) to describe the ones who you disagree with. Back in June, you were critical of those who made negative comments regarding Wie's silly comments in post-play interviews, but then admitted that you never listened to her yourself. You are trully similar to Nancy Pelosi, who regards people as "unAmerican" or "Nazis" who disagree with her on issues such as Government-run health care or immigration enforcement.

It is nice that Wie had an influence on you daughter's interest in golf, but she still is the most overhyped and over rated athelete in the history of sports (both male and female). So it should not be surprising that some have negative comments, and we are not scumwaffles!!!

Permalink 08/30/09 @ 13:41
Comment from: Florida Mike [Visitor] Email · http://portateck@msn.com
Lance R, at least I reserve my disrespect for grown men. I just have a problem with grown men belittleing a young girl (most have been doing it since she was 14) no matter how overhyped and misguided she is. Comparing my to Nancy Pelosi is really hitting below the belt though. I'll make you a deal, I will be more respectful to those I disagree with and ya'll at least pick someone to compare me to other than a hypocritical, liberal idiot who disdains the very people she is representing. deal?
Permalink 08/30/09 @ 18:09
Comment from: Florida Mike [Visitor] Email · http://portateck@msn.com
"comparing me" sorry
Permalink 08/30/09 @ 18:10
Comment from: Florida Mike [Visitor] Email
Florida Mike,

Deal accepted!!!

Since you are clearly a Wie fan, you should be very satisified with her latest performances this year as she is much more consistent than in the past. I still don't think she has quite what it takes to win an event yet, at least not in 2009.

Sorry for the Nancy Pelosi comparison, that was pretty low.

Good day,

LR

Permalink 08/31/09 @ 10:34
Comment from: Lance R [Visitor] Email
Oops,

I accidently typed Florida Mike in the "name" Field.....sorry about that...it must be a Monday morning.

Lance R
Permalink 08/31/09 @ 10:36
Comment from: coolio [Visitor] Email
"Michelle Wie has finally emerged!"

Yeah, right!

LOL


Permalink 08/31/09 @ 13:30
Comment from: Lance R [Visitor] Email
Coolio,

You have to admit that she is doing better than she was last year when she was struggling to make cuts.

What's the deal with Lorena Ochoa??
Permalink 08/31/09 @ 18:40
Comment from: coolio [Visitor] Email
Lance R,

"You have to admit that she is doing better than she was last year when she was struggling to make cuts."

No doubt.

But reading the wietards write laughable stuff like "she has finally emerged", "Michelle broke through", etc., etc. after Bu88les played well in an exhibition match makes me, well, laugh.

By the way, Bu88les wasn't payed millions to consistently make the cut, I faintly remember talk about contending in the PGA, making the cut in PGA, dominating the LPGA, winning multiple times in the LPGA, winning in the LPGA, ...
How the expectations have been lowered!

Permalink 08/31/09 @ 18:54
Comment from: Ray Jeske [Visitor] Email
Alex,

No devils advocate here.

Certainly within her twenties. If you recall, following Q school, I predicted an LPGA Hall of Fame career for Wie last December, achieved within a decade or so. I stand by that.

Or, perhaps I need a psychologist. Know any good ones?
Permalink 09/01/09 @ 16:06
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
Ray Jeske,

Actually, I do know a psychiatrist, but I don't think he would want you as a client. Once while we were golfing, he said that he didn't get involved with hopeless cases.:0)

According to all of the Vegas and online wagering sites, Bubbles just might get that first win on her way to the Hall of Fame. They have installed her as the favorite to win the Women's Canadian Open.

Installing a non-winner as the sole favorite in a pro golfing event has got to be a first.

So my advice to all you Wiebots is to jump on these odds while you can, because once she starts winning seven to ten times per year, you'll never get them again.

Alex USMC 1969-73
Permalink 09/02/09 @ 09:15
Comment from: Ray Jeske [Visitor] Email
Alex,

Those Vegas sites must be in need of your friend. What are they thinking?

And if Wie starts winning 7-10 times a year, you might start getting together with him for something other than golf!
Permalink 09/02/09 @ 13:02
Comment from: St. Matthew [Visitor] Email
Wie has the most talent of any Golfer out there, even Tiger, but She has the most damaged Phyche and if that doesn't change She may never win, even on any other tour
Permalink 09/03/09 @ 03:33
Comment from: St. Matthew [Visitor] Email
Wie has the most talent of any Golfer out there, even Tiger, but She has the most damaged Phyche and if that doesn't change She may never win, even on any other tour
Permalink 09/03/09 @ 03:35
Comment from: St. Matthew [Visitor] Email
and Lorena has to much other things going on besides Golf to contend at winniig anymore
Permalink 09/03/09 @ 03:36
Comment from: Alex [Visitor] Email
Ray Jeske,

That line about Buubles winning seven to ten times a year was poking fun at Brandel Chamblee who made that remark a few years ago.

But, come to think of it, your prediction for Bubbles is sort of similar. You figure that in the next ten years, Bubbles will have racked up at least twenty-four wins, or two or three per year on average That's quite an order for a young lady who has yet to get even one win on the LPGA tour.

I got a big kick out of how impressed you were with Bubbles' seventh place finish at "Q" school. Hall of Fame within ten years! What would your prediction have been if she had medaled at "Q" school as she should have?

Alex USMC 1969-73
Permalink 09/03/09 @ 10:53
Comment from: Ray Jeske [Visitor] Email
Alex,

Same thing.
Permalink 09/03/09 @ 13:16
Comment from: Lance R [Visitor] Email
Alex,

So the Vegas folks predicted Bu88les to win the Canadian event?

Probably not going to happen, she seems to be struggling a bit this weekend and may get her first MC. She shot a 76 yesterday and is currently 3 strokes under the projected cut line after 12 holes.

Ray Jeske,

Time will tell, but I think you are a bit off with your prediction. I think what she is doing this year is about as good as she will ever do. I think she will have some sporatic wins from year to year, but I dont think she has what it takes between the ears to ever be a consistent champion.

We shall see.

Lance R
Permalink 09/04/09 @ 15:08
Comment from: coolio [Visitor] Email
Haha!

Bu88les MCs.

Reminds me of the time when Bu88les was known as The Queen of MCs and DQs.

Permalink 09/05/09 @ 14:38

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