Michelle Wie fails again: let the excuses rain!

Tomorrow, June 6th, is the 62nd anniversary of a memorable day in history. But today, June 5th 2006, history was made at Canoe Brook C.C. On this great day, a girl named Michelle Wie became the first female with that name to reach the age of 16 years, seven months , and 25 days. Tomorrow, she will make even more history when she reaches the age of 16 years, seven months, and 26 days, and eclipses D-Day 1944 in importance to the Wie Warriors. As an aside, she also failed again to qualify in a tournament heretofore for men only. No surprise there.

ALSX-- I am quite certain you are wrong. I would bet there were other girls before this one named Michelle Wie who reached the age of 16 years, 7 months, and 25 days. None of them, however, celebrated the occassion by playing ina US Open Sectional Qualifying Event.

If Michelle Wie signs for 105 in a local qualifier, she fails. Coming to the final nine of 36 single-day holes with a chance to qualify is a huge success for any 16-year old. Remember Tiger doing it? Oh wait, he didn't try. Tim McDonald can return to his basement, turn on his fluorescent light, and count the moths.

Hmmm, you beat your fellow member of the gloat squad Baldy. You guys come out after Wie's "failures" like hyenas.

Who's making excuses, she tried and she didn't make it. Better than last year, but more work to do. Great try!

Alex, LOL. You have an inimitable sense of wit.

I see Alex is being his most obnoxious self again. Right along with that wannabe journalist Tim McD.

Regardless of how all naysayers and dimwits feel, MW aquitted her self well today. Sorry, Dim Tim, or blowhard Alex, she didn't humiliate herself as Tim wished.

As Paul W says, great try.

NEXT!

The fact that you seem to be missing is that all you need to earn the right to qualify is a one handicap. In essence then she has earned the right.

The problem with this entire episode is that:
a) Wie is a very very good female golfer, perhaps someday will be great
b) She is the most hyped female golfer of all time
c) She couldn't get out of Regional qualifying against men, most of whom we've never heard of, nor will they ever even compete on the PGA tour.
d) Therefore, female (LPGA level) golfers are much much worse than PGA golfers

We all suspected that, but it validates all of the misogynist commentary out there. SHE ISN'T READY TO DO THIS. She isn't helping the cause, she's exacerbating the problem.

True, maybe she didn't make it this year Tim. But, should she just not try? Not try to make history? Not try to bring golf to girls and boys all over the world? I really don't see where you are coming up with that everyone is making up all of these excuses. She is only 16, what were you doing when you were 16? Definitely not trying to qualify for the US Open, trying to get your license at the most I'm guessing. So before you say that Michelle Wie fails again, how about you think of all of the feats MW has already accomplished in only 16 years.

First of all Tim,i couldnt figure out what is it about michelle wie, that u dont like about? Why cant you just let the poor girl do what she wants to do. She is not your daughter, you are not his agent, i bet she has no clue who you are or whether you exist or not. Why are you so determine to prove what shes trying to do is wrong? I just couldnt figure it out. Is it because you are envious of her talent and popularity or are you just like nike,trying to use her name for your own quest for a little bit of success in your sad career

Tim...this was a very low-quality blog post. Michelle did try and gave it a run! she should be proud of how she handled this! It was just her putter that let her down...actually her stroke was almost perfect but the first round putts did not fall at all.

Tim...I know why you're so angry...you're an ugly middle-aged balding 20 handicapper who has nothing to share or give to the world except a great way to scare off Large animals such as bears (by showing them your face)

"Comment from: James [Visitor]
nothing to share or give to the world except a great way to scare off Large animals such as bears (by showing them your face)"

Is that his face? I thought he was mooning us all.

Nope...kind of hard to tell because it's so ugly...but yes, it is his face. Those two little beady things are infact eyes...not pimples. But I can see how you had mistaken the two.

Wow, you Wie warriors are sure subdued. Have you given up or are you just smarting from your girl's miss? I could understand that. I hope you're not just fair-weather fans.

Don't worry about it. She'll be back. Tell you what: if she wins the LPGA championship, I'll proclaim her ready to go against the men, at least on the Nationwide.

Todd Commish--

Do you even know who played at the Sectional qualifer??
There were PGA tour pros and players from the Nationwide tour there as well as some of the best amateurs in the country.
There were dozens of former winners of majors, and winners of various tournaments on the PGA tour, Nationwide tour and local tournaments.

Check the list of players Michelle Wie played against--if you've never heard of any of them then you DEFINITELY do not follow golf.
That was why most did not think she would make it since the competition was going to be pretty tough.
She was close to being in a play off for the final spot until the last 4 holes in a 36 hole qualifier.

Did you see all the birdie putts she missed? If she could have made a few she could have easily qualified.

Most sane people should expect improvement not immediate success from a kid so young. She played vastly better this year than she did last year.
She actually had a legit chance to make it this year.

Tim,

One question: Do travelgolf.com take turns on bashing Wie to promote the website? 2005: Baldwin, 2006: McDonald

You are barking up the wrong tree. Let MW pursue her dream. Someday we will read the news without much ado that she wins some or loses some at both men's and women's tours.

Brian, It has been said that doing standup comedy is not so much an art as it is a craft. In other words,it can be learned. I would recommend perusing internet blogs like this one so as to increase your repertory of material. I am relatively certain of one thing. You will learn to be a standup comedian and be a headliner on the nightclub circuit a lot sooner than Bubbles will become competitive on the PGA tour. A 400 pound sumo wrestler has more chance of winning an Olympic medal in Gymnastics than Earrings has of placing top 25 in a PGA event.

Alex,
Should we be worried about you?
Alex knows Michelle's age right to the exact day. Is he like one of these weirdos who counted down the days until The Olsen Twins, or Lindsay Lohan or Hilary Duff turned 18 years old. Alex you really need to get a grip.

I would hardly call TravelGolf a Michelle Wie-bashing site. Many of our bloggers are Wie Warriors.

Others of us have the opinion that, while she is undoubtedly a talented golfer, the odd route she is taking to stardom has negative consequences, both for her and others.

These are opinions, freely expressed, which is what bloggers do. You are welcome to comment on them.

Tim,
I don't understand why you persist with one of your particular lines:

****************
No matter that she hasn’t won against the women. No matter that she hasn’t earned the right to even try to compete against the men at this stage.
****************

Tim, perhaps I may suggest that you save this mantra for when she is given more sponsors exemptions to pga events.
In this case she QUALIFIED like everyone else in the field.
So she has earned the right to compete out there.
You should save that argument for sponsors exemptions where you may have a leg to stand on, but using it in this case you just sound very ignorant of the facts.

As regards her performance, it was excellent. I stated many times on these blogs that I did not expect her to qualify, and she did get alot closer than I gave her credit for.

Most times she plays, she really surprised me. This was no exception. She was truly excellent, and her progress is really coming on at a rate I did not predict.

You discussed people making excuses. I am not making any excuses, because no excuses are necessary.
She qualified for Sectional, which was an improvement, and an achievement as the first woman to ever do so.

Then, at Sectional, she performed very credible, and was tied for 58th among the field of 153, of which 136 were full time professional.
4 dozen from the pga tour, many more from the Nationwide Tour, and many top class local pros, many former pga card holders.

No excuses, because no excuses are needed. She turned up. She performed very well and did herself proud.

Tim, Tim Tim.

You write "No matter that she hasn’t earned the right to even try to compete against the men at this stage.". But she has. She won the tournament that got her into the sectional. That's called earning the right.

Now if you want to write that she shouldn't take exemptions -- though since the LPGA won't let her be a member that's not so simple -- do so. But your bias is showing. She's played *two* professional women's tournaments in 2006, and placed third in each of them for a total of $181,449. If she were in the LPGA, she would be 22nd on the money list. If there is a better player who gets a thousandth of the money, name her.

Tim is suffering the effects of sun-bashing-balding-scalp. Not one blogger is a Wie Warrior. Instead, we simply seek the equitable treatment of players by the media. Were it a different sort of character receiving the attention, our attitudes would not change, nor would the venom flow. Tim may have been charged with inciting the public through vitriolic if misguided assertions, but that would have been sealed behind closed doors, in a smoke-filled room.

Greg and Norman, you guys are missing the point by being so literal, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Here's the point: You think Annika or other top women players couldn't have won a local qualifier?

Women golfers better than Wie could be doing the same thing she is. They aren't because of various reasons. They aren't publicity hounds, for one, and they probably aren't being pushed by pushy fathers and corporate sponsors, which Wie almost certainly is.

Greg makes my point: she played two professional women's tournaments in 2006 and palced third in each. I would hardly call that dominating. If she'd won both, it would be a different matter.

But, hey -- she's only 16!

And as for you Ron-Mon-thank-you-son, wipe that smirk off your weasel face.

"Equitable treatment of players by the media"????

Is there a sports figure today who's been fawned over by the media more than Wie? Good lord, did you watch the Golf Channel Monday? They did everything but reccommend her for sainthood. The intense media coverage is responsible for that multi-million-dollar endorsement deal.

Your veiled inferences to racism are getting tiresome, as are your blogs and out-of-context comments. You're a classic Wie warrior -- somebody dares question your dream-girl, you throw up smoke and mirrors, which by the way you should take pains to avoid.

Tim said:
Women golfers better than Wie could be doing the same thing she is.
**********************

No they could not. Michelle is definetely the best female player on a mens style course.

Annika is a better lpga player than Wie on those lpga courses, but Wie is far better on pga style courses.
That is just my opinion, but I firmly believe it.
Of course Annika or others could give it a go, and give us a definete answer. However I think they know that they aren't as good as Wie there so they won't bother trying.

Let's assume we have nothing against or for M.Wie. She has a right to choose her path in life and a right to try and qualify for any event in the world. However, we should look at some hard facts: there were 11 qualifying sites on monday (or just about). Let's say an average of 135 players showed up at those sites for a total of 1485. M.Wie placed 58th or in the second tier. There were players who played better on every site so we can assume she ranked approx 495th (second tier) in the global field. This global field does not include any of the 75 best players in the world already qualified for the Open. Even if M.Wie and her entourage decided to take that path to glory, they are running her into a wall. Let's say she came through yesterday, they is no way she could have made the cut and even finish in the top 75. (US open conditions and 7300 yards, even if she is long). Don't forget she did much better on the 6600 yard course than on the 7000 yard course. I am not taking anything away from her, I still think she did very well on monday. I just hope that what she is doing now is a way to fill the void and to collect marketing benefits, before becoming an official member of the LPGA tour.

Tim McDonald

Biggest. A**hole. In Golf.

You hurt the game. Please stop.

Ron:

I am waiting for MW to start to play full-time on the LPGA tour. Does she have the ability to compete week in and week out? Time will tell.

It was a strong field indeed at Canoe Brook. Many a good pro qualified and failed to do so. Here's a list of some of those that beat MW in her attempt to make history:


*Andy Bare #3 in 2006 earnings on the Tarheel Tour

*Andrew Svoboda best finish semi-finalist at British Amateur 2004

*Brad Fritsch #785 in the World Golf Rankings, #15 in Canada with 9 career top 10 finishes on the Canadian Tour (2002-present)

Tyler Hall #1001 in the World Golf Rankings $0 career earnings on the PGA Tour

Travis Williams 1 career top 10 finish on the Canadian Tour

Eli Zackheim #1249 in the World Golf Rankings one top 25 finish on the Asian Tour

Brian Lamberti Won 1999 United States Golf Teachers Cup

Brennan Webb #1146 in the World Golf Rankings and winner of $1,268 on the Canadian Tour this year.

Daniel Augustine caddie at Naples National Golf Club and Oakland Hills Country Club

Scott Hawley #1209 in the World Golf Rankings with career winnings on the Canadian Tour of under $35k from 2003-present and 1 top 10 finish

* Qualified of 2006 U.S. Open Championship

"Todd Commish--

Do you even know who played at the Sectional qualifer??
There were PGA tour pros and players from the Nationwide tour there as well as some of the best amateurs in the country.
There were dozens of former winners of majors, and winners of various tournaments on the PGA tour, Nationwide tour and local tournaments."

Ha, I knew if I put bait in the trap, some schlemiel would come by and snap at it. Here's a list of the juggernauts that qualified:

Brett Quigley, Greg Kraft, Mark Brooks, Tom Pernice. Those are the well-known guys.

Kent Jones, Kevin Stadler, Michael Harris, JJ Henry, Rob Johnson, Andy Bare, John Mallinger, Nicholas Thompson, Andrew Svoboda, Chris Nallen, David Oh, Phil Tataurangi, Scott Hend, Brad Fritsch. Wow! Quite the list of notables!

She ended up tied at 143 with Michael Martin, Michael Rinker, Mike Sposa, Remi Bouchard, Stephen Sokol, and two amateurs Carlton Forrester and George Zahringer.

Like I said, we haven't heard of most of these guys before.

Will she eventually qualify? Sure. But I repeat, "Overhyped".

Norman,

Generally speaking, I agree that Bubbles is the best female on a PGA layout. However, Canoe Brook was no such thing. The South Course was only 6600 yards -- women's tour distance. Thus, I suspect that Sorenstam would have stood a good chance of doing a bit better than the illustrious Bubbles.

I sit here and read your comments back and forth, and realize that you all are thinking too damn much. Keep it simple.

1) By saying Wie should not attempt to qualify is like saying the 50+ ranked player should never bother entering a tournament since he cannot win. BS! Why have competitions? It is the mere fact of anticipation that makes sports tick. Besides, you get better by playing the best.

2) Wie will raise the womens tour to new heights ... when they let her in. Fact! Lets be honest, who would you rather watch .. boring, stone faced Annika or butty -licious watch me drive with the big stick Wie. She is entertaining an nice to look at. Above all she's got game. No explanations necessary... don't believe the loosers. If you can't see that fire your shrink, she is robbing you! If you don't have one, get one before you lose it all.

3) She is banking right now! .... those with beatle brains .. ahem!.. and I am not saying John D, Alex and Brian J, cannot get it that financial aspect of it. She won't need to go to the malls or night clubs like you commanded her to, coz she'll own them!

4) Why can't the nay sayers get it in their heads that she is only now beginning her career?? She has been in school! The Anikas and Webbs are like old Aunts to her with mileage. She's a new corvette breaking in the engine.

5) Lastly, Tim McDonald have you been cheating and eating burgers at "Burger King"? It can get you all twisted you know...

Todd Commish says "Will she eventually qualify? Sure. But I repeat, "Overhyped".
Todd your placing bets that she will eventually qualify and make history, yet you call MW "overhyped". And please don't make a living telling up n'coming golfers that they are nobodies, I'm sure they won't appreciate it, just like the bunch of nobodies at the SK telecom. Its not good for making friends.

Judge Smails says, "The South Course was only 6600 yards -- women's tour distance. Thus, I suspect that Sorenstam would have stood a good chance of doing a bit better than the illustrious Bubbles." Judge you can suspect all you want but Annika did not step-up to the plate, michelle did.

Timmy "Old McDonald" - nobody is making excuses for MW, not even MW. Its you morons in the media taking snippets from comments and pasting them together to promote your agenda.
She simply wants to grow, learn, compete and win against the best golfers in the world man or woman. Any other conclusion, thought or suspicion is "overhyped".

BTW, some folks keep bringing up Annika. When did the old bat last win one. She has ... to use your words.. choked up the last few times. Actually, I apologize, it is not her choking, ..... the field just got better! ;-)) Is it that she was playing a diluted tour the last few years???

Who wants to bet who will finish higher this week?

I've said all along in these blogs that the putter is the only thing holding Michelle back from winning and winning alot. Tee to green she can hold her own with anyone, but it all comes down to where you put it on the green and how well you finish it out. Last season Annika was the one leading the show on the green.

If Michelle will ever be a factor on any professional field of play she has to make putts at a rate of ninety-five percent inside of five feet, sevety-five percent of her putts inside of ten feet and fifty percent inside of fifteen feet. Outside of fifteen feet she just needs to play for two and sometimes get lucky. She alignes her putts well, but does not have the right speed to finish the putt off.

When she can produce numbers like those above she will not only qualify for Opens or PGA events she will also do very well in the process.

Will Michelle Wie become a great LPGA player, or a so so, first woman to play in PGA, player? If the best woman is ranked 50th among the best men - does that make her, or women, superior to men? Sure she'll be better than 99% of all men. But among the best she'll be unknown ecept for being a woman - like Kournikova; the most famous tennis player never having won a major event. I'm more exited about the 15-year old who actually made the cut than about Wie! As long as Wie manages her looks she'll do great by Nike. At 16 she has already made more money than 99% of all men will ever earn!

Tim, where are you getting this "publicity hound" information about Wie. Everyone who works with her, everyone who's talked to her get completely the opposite impression. She's playing with the men because it's her dream to play with the men, and she believes she will be good enough to do it.

If nobody had shown up yesterday, nothing would have changed. She didn't ask for all the coverage. She can't control what the press does and doesn't do.

And LOL about wondering where are the excuses are. What excuses do Wie fans need? She played well, well enough to be in with a chance of qualifying until the final nine holes. I went on record a couple of weeks ago saying she would miss the cut by 4 or 5 strokes. For a while there I thought I was going to be wrong but, as it turned out, I was correct.

But, just like the other 135 players who missed the cut, there's always next year, and that's exactly how she's dealing with it. I think you sorely misunderestimate Wie's maturity and drive regarding the chasing of her dream. No doubt she was disappointed in not making the cut yesterday but, come Thursday, she will no doubt be on the leaderboard again.

BTW: Your complaint about not being able to find out where Gore finished because of all the Wie obsession is nonsense. If anything, the Golf Channel covered all the sectionals in more detail than they have done in the past. At the very least, it was no harder to find out about other golfers than in previous yeats.

Me think that everybody is way too worked up about Michelle Wie's performance. She is doing what she dreams to do. She has the poise to handle the external pressure created by the media and bloggers such as the one that wrote the above frivolous blog. Whatever internal pressure that she creates for herself, is entirely her own and I didn't see her crumble yesterday--she grinded it out like any pro should. She may be 16 but she's also a pro and all I can see is a pro golfer who goes out and plays her best each time. She also has the grace and poise to answer some very stupid questions posed to her by the media. What is with all of you who only see the glass half empty? Every athlete has seasons of successes and failures and those who reach the top just focus on their task at hand and find ways to get better and better and ultimately win, but they will also lose many times along the way. Whether she has endorsements or not, it's neither here nor there, if she eventually has more failures than successes, the sponsors will find others. The naysayers like Michael Campbell or Adam Scott should focus on their own games respectively. Give a guy a mike and it's amazing how all those pent up anger or is it fear? that comes out and by the way Michael, you have a title to defend. A truly great golfer is only as good as how many majors he's/she's won, so go for it and leave Michelle alone. It's not becoming of a US Open Champion to even bother with the kind of comments you made. More power to Michelle for grinding it out and there's always next year. In the meantime, I, for one have never been interested in LPGA tournaments, will now watch whenever Michelle is playing and along the way, I may find a few favourite players. Isn't that a novel idea?

One-Putt Wrote

"If Michelle will ever be a factor on any professional field of play she has to make putts at a rate of ninety-five percent inside of five feet, sevety-five percent of her putts inside of ten feet and fifty percent inside of fifteen feet. Outside of fifteen feet she just needs to play for two and sometimes get lucky. She alignes her putts well, but does not have the right speed to finish the putt off."

One-Putt,

Those stats would make her the greatest putter in the game. The average tour pro makes about 65% of 5 footers,
30% of 10 footers, and about 18% of 15 footers.

Judge Smails, after reading some of the recent posts on this thread, I'm wondering if there is such a dysfunction as written "Turette's syndrome?" Functional illiteracy is not my field if expertise.

Michelle Wie is one of the ten best female golfers in the world.

Michelle Wie is NOT one of the 150 best golfers in the world.

Both things can be true.

Michelle Wie WANTS to play against men on the PGA Tour.

Michelle Wie isn't ready to compete effectively against men on the PGA Tour (but probably could against the Nike/Hooters/Futures tour).

Nike/Rolex WANT Michelle Wie to continue to try to qualify to play against men on the PGA Tour.

Michelle Wie is a nice kid.

The movers behind her consider her a "cash cow" and likely don't have her best interests (outside of money) at heart.

All these things can be true. And probably are.

So, Tim McD if Michelle wins the LPGA Championship then you will proclaim her ready to go up against the men on the Nationwide Tour. And if she wins the US Women's Open too, I guess you might proclaim her ready for the PGA Tour?

Really... who cares what you proclaim! She doesn't care and neither do I.

I hope some little girl stomps on your foot the next time you come out from your little cubby "I repent" hole!

AhhSoo, you should care. My proclamations are heeded at the highest levels of the professional golf industry. Hear ye now: She must win two LPGA championsips to earn the honor of playing against the men.

How did you find out about my hole?

I think Todd has made the case for Michelle Wie getting sponsor's exemptions on the PGA. He said Michelle is one of the ten best female golfers in the world--but not one of the best 150 golfers in the world. I doubt very much if Michelle Wie has ever accepted a sponsor's exemption to a PGA Tournament where all 143 of the men playing were among the top 150 in the world. If the worst thing a Wie critic can say about Michelle is that she is not in the top 150 in the world, I think we can pretty much dismiss objections to Wie's receiving sponsors exemptions to weak PGA events as being based more on emotion than logic.

If Wie wants to be a winner (as opposed to a loser) she will need to go back to the LPGA...Oh but wait, she hasn't won there either! Hmmm, Maybe she needs to go bask to the Amateur Ranks. I THINK she won there, but it has been so long ago, I can't remember.

Comment from: John D [Visitor]
>>>to go bask to the Amateur Ranks.
***I THINK***
---
Personally, I don't believe you ever do
---
...she won there, but it has been so long ago, >>>>I can't remember.

Comment from: John D [Visitor]
...to go bask to the Amateur Ranks.
***I THINK***
---
Personally, I don't believe you ever do
---
(And what the heck is a bask?)
...she won there, but it has been so long ago, ***I can't remember.**** Alzheimers already? You poor sod!

06/06/06 @ 21:23


John D, between you, Alex and Judge Smails, you all share an IQ about the same as Alex's hat size,which is about a 6, so you each get an IQ of 2. Oh wait, I did say share didn't I? Ok, you've been upgraded to a size 6 IQ. Way to go fellas.

Ok, Alex, let your Touretes syndrome lose now.

I decided to put it all together in one post makes a much tidier desk this way.

Hello, Tim.

No excuses. The kid lost her bid to get into the 2006 US Open.

See you next year.

In the meantime, could you learn how to critique professional golfing in golfing terms. Ask your friends from the highest levels of the professional golfing industry to help you.

Truly speaking ..... Wie has clearly shown that she does not give a hoot what you bashers think. She's getting exposure, minting more money than you could count, and will win a bunch of tournaments.

See you next year at the qualifiers!

Tim stated:
****
Others of us have the opinion that, while she is undoubtedly a talented golfer, the odd route she is taking to stardom has negative consequences, both for her and others.
****

How is this route having a negative effect on her? She has close to $25 million dollars in the bank, star-power, and celebrity-status... NOT TO MENTION THAT SHE IS DOING MUCH BETTER ON THE LPGA THAN PAULA AND MORGAN WHO TOOK THE "POSITIVE" ROUTE

Seriously...GET A GRIP! Michelle has two top 3's this season from 2 events. And she now has 6 top 3's in the last 9 LPGA events she has played. MUCH MORE CONSISTANT AND BETTER THAN PRESSEL, CREAMER, MIYAZATO, KIM or THE OTHER YOUNG SHOTS ON THE LPGA

Comment from: Blazer [Visitor]
One-Putt Wrote

"If Michelle will ever be a factor on any professional field of play she has to make putts at a rate of ninety-five percent inside of five feet, sevety-five percent of her putts inside of ten feet and fifty percent inside of fifteen feet. Outside of fifteen feet she just needs to play for two and sometimes get lucky. She alignes her putts well, but does not have the right speed to finish the putt off."

One-Putt,

Those stats would make her the greatest putter in the game. The average tour pro makes about 65% of 5 footers,
30% of 10 footers, and about 18% of 15 footers.

Actually the average professional stats from 10 to 15 feet is 40 percent, with amateur 12-18 handicappers making 24 percent on the average inside of ten feet. Once a higher handicapper moves beyond ten feet they are in the 10 percent range.

The difference comes down to what it takes to WIN on any tour that counts. The averages I quoted are for the top of the curve (Winners). If Michelle wants to become the best female golfer and have even a chance to win on the PGA tour these are the type of averages she will need to produce.

Michelle has THREE TOP 3 FINISHES IN THE LAST FOUR MAJORS SHE HAS PLAYED...

SHe is obviously consistant and a threat to every event she enters (especially majors) unlike some other young lpga stars (who talk a big game) that we know of...

Failed or not, the crowd drawing power of Wie was unmistakable. Let's be honest. Madonna didn't get where she was at the height of her stardom, by singing like a real singer. It's all about the star quality which some people are born with. Accept it as a fact that you and I are not these people, not even in our wildest dream. Once you accept this as a fact, you will see that your bittnerness and resentment to Wie's celebrity, will subside like a miracle. Go on, try it. I already have and succeeded.

Bo McDowell, I'll admit that when I first read your post , I was somewhat perplexed. Then I came to understand what brought on your epiphany. Just as Winston Smith learned to love Big Brother, you have learned to love Big Wiesy. And you realized the fact that you and I and the rest of the peasants simply were not born with the natural talent, charisma, and star potential as Bubbles. Thank you for your keen insight, I feel much better now. Let me see if I've got the equation correct. Michelle Wie is to golf as Madonna is to real singing. Sounds about right.

ONE PUTT and BLAZER

There is a difference between making a certain percentage of putts INSIDE 5 feet and making a certain percentage of 5 foot putts. Obviously the former number should be larger.

Michelle Wie is much better than 50% INSIDE 15 feet right now--but I assume ONE PUTT means 50% inside 15 feet but outside 10 feet--just as I assume he means 75% inside 10 feet but outside 5 feet.

Jim COULTHard, What I think they both mean is that Bubbles has got to make MORE PUTTS.

Comment from: Alex [Visitor] · http://Alex
"Bo McDowell, I'll admit that when I first read your post , I was somewhat perplexed. Then I came to understand what brought on your epiphany. Just as Winston Smith learned to love Big Brother, you have learned to love Big Wiesy. And you realized the fact that you and I and the rest of the peasants simply were not born with the natural talent, charisma, and star potential as Bubbles. Thank you for your keen insight, I feel much better now. Let me see if I've got the equation correct. Michelle Wie is to golf as Madonna is to real singing. Sounds about right."

Alex, LOL.

"Comment from: Alex [Visitor] · http://Alex
Jim COULTHard, What I think they both mean is that Bubbles has got to make MORE PUTTS."

You got the point Alex; Michelle will never have a remote chance of winning on the PGA tour unless she becomes a six-sigma grand master of the flat stick.

She can win on the ladies tour now with the right breaks, but never on the men's tour. The level of putting is so much higher for men who win on tour. She will make some men's cuts, but winning is out of the question.

The good news for Michelle is Alex, she has many more golfing years left to torture you and Timmy.

One-Putt, Don't be too sure about all those years that Michelle has left to compete. The important thing to remember is that first and foremost she is a female. Women, despite all the rantings of the militant feminists, are a mysterious and fickle lot who reserve the right and privilege to change their minds and alter the course of their futures whenever they like and as often as they like. I once had a part interest in a very good filly. As a two and three year old, she showed excellent promise, so much so that our trainer was convinced that as a four year old she might be good enough for allowance or even stakes company. But, she was a female. Right before she was to enter her fourth year, she decided that trainimg was not for her and neither was racing. She just refused to cooperate. She wasn't ill or injured, she was exercising her female right to be obstreperous. Any of us that have wives, daughters, and sisters know all about this characteristic of women. If Bubbles doesn't possess this trait, she'll be the first one without it.

I have one question...how did michelle get the nickname bubbles? Is it because of her "bubbly" personality?

The only people Michelle Wie is torturing are her fans who want so badly to celebrate a win, a made cut, anything to keep from hearing the naysayers claim she just doesn't have it. For three years Wie Warriors have been waiting to scream, "I Told You So!" Sadly, Michelle just won't let you do it. All she needs to do is win something, anything to quite the Alex's, Judge Smail's, and Ford's of the world, but time after time she comes up just short.

Wie doubters are villified on this site, but the anger on these boards does not come from the Wie skeptics it comes from her fans, who are in a rage anytime somebody mentions Michelle's win total.

"Just win baby" We all know she has had the amazing talent and skills to win on the LPGA tour for a number of years. Each time she fails, the weight get a bit heavier and the critics get a little louder and even her fans grow a little wearier. This week it was the putter, next week at the LPGA Championship it will be the easier setup of the course that threw her off, or the length, or the wind, whatever, it's time to ditch the excuses and face facts. Girl just does not have IT! Maybe she can buy it with all her endorsement money.

Yes, Ford, and the only question is, when will the Wie Warriors become the Wie Worriers?

Ford, One question concerning Michelle's endorsements. Has anyone ever seen any of the ads in which she endorses a product? I have yet to have that privilege.

Alex, my guess is that Nike put a hold on their campaign utnil she wins at least one tournament beofre they put on her ad in big wave. Even with all the potential and crowd drawing, she hasn't won anything yet. Nike's image is all about winning and winner. They have to wait it out until she becomes one.

She will win soon. You will soon see Nike commercial.

June, Do you actually mean to stand there and tell me that Michelle Wie, Bubbles, the long, lanky, earringed one, the long-sought, long-awaited savior of the sport of Golf, the wealthiest teenager since Patty Hearst, HASN"T WON ANYTHING YET? No! Whooda thunk it?

Your comments show your ignorance of what the average golfer feels. I would rather watch Michelle Wie play (win or lose) than most of the other golfers I see on TV. At least she carries herself with dignity. Something sadly lacking in your comments.

Hee, hee, umm, like, I tried my best, you know? Don't you like my sparkly watch...Dignity personified.

Mike, Did you actually write "win or lose?" In Bubbles' case, you can take "win" out of that comparison.

You idiots should read this column to (try) and understand an objective way of writing a column. Of course Tim and
Chris are hardly objective and can barely be called writers. http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=sirak_ron&id=2473079&campaign=rss&source=GOLFHeadlines

The LPGA players will be ready to crown a new alpha female soon. She will be the new dominant force in women's golf, and her name is Michelle.

Michelle is more recognized in Asia than the United States, believe it or not. She currently has commercials and print ads running in China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. This is an emerging market with the most potential for growth as seen by Nike, Sony and Omega.

Perhaps you haven't visited Nike.com to see Michelle's picture that is now appearing overseas in print ads. Nike and Sony have images of Michelle with their logo/name published or broadcast around the world each time she plays a match. The Golf Channel will be following her play for nine holes today.

Mike, speaking of idiots: I don't know how many times I have to say this. Blogs are not SUPPOSED to be objective, you idiot.

There are different types of stories in journalism: straight news, which is always objective, features, which may or may not have a point of view, and OPINION pieces, which include columns and blogs.

WHAT is so hard to understand about that? This is what happens when you have people who know nothing about journalism offering their ignorant comments.

It is true that I do not know a lot about journalism. I guess I am surprised that someone who does,(supposedly you) has such a bias against someone like Miss Wie, who is very professional about how she goes about her game. I will agree that during her interviews she sometimes sounds like my daughter, but they are almost the same age. What I am is a golfer who enjoys watching Michelle's career (so far) and I think that you and others here are idiots for the way you write about her.

Mike, first of all, I don't have a "bias" against Wie. I've said time and time again I think she is a fantastic golfer with unlimited potential. I enjoy watching her play, too. My opinion...here we go again... is that her career path is glorifying her at other female golfers' expense.

Expressing one's opinion, positive or negative, does not necessarily presume a bias.

It is an opinion, one which you may freely respond to. You may think my opinion is idiotic -- gee, that's never happened before -- but to say you think that "you and others here are idiots for the the way you write about her" does, I'm afraid, show a fundamental misunderstanding of the basic tenets of free speech and journalistic practice.

Why do you people care how she does, even if she is 16 and a woman? She's not related to you, it doesn't make her more worthy of support than other players, and golfing isn't exactly the most noble of professions. Of course she isn't as good as the top male players, and of course she makes more money than most men. But so do lots of actresses and other women, and so do lots of other men. She isn't being measured by the amount of money she makes or what she's done at her age. If the measure of money made is the definition of human worth, then the Olsen twins and Mcauley Culkin(sp?) should probably be universally worshipped and no one who makes any amount of money could be criticized. Thankfully this isn't the case.

What she's being measured by, or should be measured by, is her golfing ability as compared to the people she is competing against. And as such, she appears to have failed. I think the critics aren't so much annoyed at her entering the competition as they are with the ridiculous "Wie Warriors" and hype. It's ironic that those that are pushing so heavily for Wie are probably the ones making it the most difficult for her. If there was no media hype, she'd probably have a shot at playing a bit better. Of course, without the media hype, she wouldn't earn a 10th of what she probably has made already, but at some point you have to place certain things above money.

Serp, that may be the most thoughtful, insightful comment on the whole Wie situation, including any of mine...

Tim, you're becoming as deluded as Chrissy Baldwin in your harping about "excuses" made for Michelle Wie. The fact that she is only 16 is the most valid point as to why she failed to qualify. Do you really expect ANY 16 year old girl to qualify against men for the US Open? Yet she finished 59th, beating out how many men??

Serp, your criticisms of these "Wie Warriors" can also be directed at Wie detractors such as yourself. Why the hell to you care if so many people like Michelle Wie? What's it to you? You detractors keep missing the point--that Michelle Wie being a 16 year old girl being able to go up against men IS relevent to the argument. The fact that you cannot grasp the significance of this is mindboggling and suggests that you and Chrissy Balwin and all the other detractors have some kind of deep seated problem with her.

You Dimwitted Detractors are the biggest bunch of whiney crybabies ever, being jealous and spiteful of the attention that a sixteen year old girl is getting. You're pathetic.

Serp,

You're right!

Why do we care about sports at all? Those guys and gals making all the $$$ aren't going to share it with us and we'll never be invited to their private championship celebrations. Let's stop going to the movies, too. Tom Hanks and AJ aren't going to help us in our careers.

As a matter of fact I'm moving into a cave with my woman and my dog.

Fred, I believe I've got your point. Is it that Bubbles is a 16 YEAR OLD GIRL? And that she is competing unsuccessfully against men? Since you mentioned the fact that Bubbles is a 16 YEAR OLD GIRL no less than FOUR times in your post. I believe you've made your point, even if it isn't valid. (see Ian's blog)

Ty, that's as good a theory as I've heard attempting to explain the odd fanaticism of the Wie Warriors.

Ty, You certainly could not be more correct. But sadly, I know that your post won't have any effect on the Wie Warriors. In the past, I've posted opinions practically identical to yours and the resultant replies were nothing but insults and errant condescension. These misguided individuals are very similar to a cult. So, get out your asbestos suit and get ready for the napalm and the flamethrowers. And be thankful that you will only be incinerated on the internet.

Did anyone catch the interview with Michelle after yesterday's first round. One of the questions asked was if all things were equal which sectional would you have chosen to play in? Michelle's response was and I quote, " I'm not really sure. I'm not really good at picking spots. I just leave that up to my mom and dad. I don't know where I'm going. I just show up and play."

Well folks, there you have it. I guess we know who is running the ship after all. Just as many of us suspected, BJ is controlling his daughter's career from where she plays, to who can and can't read putts for her and everything in-between. Makes you wonder whose dreams she is pursuing.

It was also inteesting to note that she seemed to have no idea that the Hawaii sectional only had 10-15 golfers playing in it. She actually asked for a do-over and wished she could have come out of that sectional. I'm beginning to think that there are darker forces controlling her career and perhaps they have not done what is best for her up to this point.

Ford, I caught that interview also. I'm not surprised since I always believed that BJ Wie was the quintessebtial stage father. But none of the Wie Warriors on this site will agree. They somehow are convinced that Bubbles is her own person, that she and she alone of all the 16 year old girls on this earth has a clear and concise idea of the directions of her career and her future. I doubt that they can ever come to see the obvious, that she is being marketed aggressively by BJ and her other handlers to maximize her money making potential before the public tires of her dog and pony show.