Wie to make 2008 debut

[Bellyhungry]

Wie accepted a sponsor's exemption Monday to play in The Fields Open at Ko Olina...The Fields Open, where Wie tied for third two years ago, is on Feb. 21-23.

[hogannut]

She is like the Leafs.....nobody cares until she proves herself.

[laps]

Agree with Hogannut - Who Cares!!

[Bellyhungry]

Hey, you two....this is a public annoucement for the people who still care.

Just remember, train wreck still attract people's attention.

[hogannut]

Hey, you two....this is a public annoucement for the people who still care.

Just remember, train wreck still attract people's attention.

Rubber necker!!:rofl: :D

[sharkhark]

you can tell how far someone has fallen when you can't even get the energy to kick them when they are down. I used to revel in putting her down and the path her parents exploited for short term money that killed long term success.
But i just can't do it. She has fallen too low for me to do that.

[nearace]

http://images.thegolfchannel.com/images/tournaments/lpga/162946.gifKAPOLEI, Hawaii -- Michelle Wie will begin the season in Hawaii for the fifth straight year, this time against the women.

Wie accepted a sponsor's exemption Monday to play in The Fields Open at Ko Olina, hopeful of getting her career back on track after a troublesome season of injuries, missed cuts and withdrawls.

An 18-year-old freshman at Stanford, Wie has started her season at the Sony Open on the PGA Tour the last four years and nearly made the cut as a 14-year-old when she shot a 68. But she has yet to make a cut in seven tries on the PGA Tour, and she did not play the Sony Open this year, a sign that she plans to concentrate on the LPGA while trying to regain her form.

The Fields Open, where Wie tied for third two years ago, is Feb. 21-23 and is the second event on the LPGA Tour schedule.

Wie injured both wrists last year and kept playing, making only three cuts and breaking par twice in 19 rounds against the women.
just adding a little extra to the post for people who care.

[Noremac]

you can tell how far someone has fallen when you can't even get the energy to kick them when they are down. I used to revel in putting her down and the path her parents exploited for short term money that killed long term success.
But i just can't do it. She has fallen too low for me to do that.

It's good to see that you've stopped kicking girls while they're down. :rolleyes:

[Pingnut]

Good luck to her. Hoepfully she has a good showing.

[Lefty17]

Here's to hoping that college life has helped her mature.

We will see if she's gottin' any better or worse.

If she doesn't brake 80 in the first round, I don't want to see her again until she's 21.

[3whack]

Is this the Sally Fields Open?

Or, maybe the Totie Fields Open?

How about the Strawberry Fields Open?

Actually, I wish her the best (like she cares what I think or say?).

She has tremendous talent, and no youngin' should have to be saddled with woulda coulda shoulda for the rest of their life.

[gatsby]

Good Luck. Mark Rolfing is a fan. Nike probably would like to negotiate.:)

[oukk]

what's her current status at LPGA??

[Bellyhungry]

what's her current status at LPGA??

She still has no status...still relying on hand outs.

[leftintherough]

She still has no status...still relying on hand outs.

Those are the kind of hand outs I could really use !!!!

I'm in the camp of yawning over this one. Hope she does well in her outing but there are golfers who have earned the right to play, fun to watch, and can shoot some very good scores, so I'm cheering for my favs.

[Yeo_JL]

As a fellow korean, I can understand why she has performed the way she has. Not that all the blame goes to her father, but I would place a huge portion to it. Too controlling, too demanding, too suffocating, too much everything...just ask Se Ri Pak. Her father was a big reason why she had to cool off a bit, it's just a sad re-occurance of Korean fathers living vicariously through their kids. I'm sure a lot of fathers do it too, but it seems like Korean fathers go over the top. Anywho....enuf with the sob story of broken Korean asian homes.

Back to golf...

It's sad that her pro career has ended before it even began. Yes, she caused some stir when she had high finishes in some majors, but then making silly decisions like firing her caddie, entering into men's tournaments (if the former number one female golfer (who actually has a good short game) can't make the cut a la Sorenstam, who does wie think she is?), citing questionable injuries to cover up poor rounds, etc. just did in her potential, not just to be a contender as one of the best out there, but to be a crowd favourite and role model.

Even in hawaii, I've heard reports that they don't support her, they would rather (and do) back up a person like Fujikawa. It was even fun to bash her potential as she would have up and down rounds, tournaments. Now everyone, including us, have enuf energy to even use one breathe to mention her name. [i'm shocked that i've even written this much about her!]

She needs to work on her short game and mental game. Get rid of Leadbetter as coach, his recent track record isn't too stellar, who out of his current stable of pros are performing well on tour? (please correct me here if i'm wrong...the only kudos for him was way back in the days when he had both no.1's in nick price and faldo as students....i think that solidified his mark as a teacher....since then???)

I mean, was it true that wie was getting putting instructions from leadbetter's wife? That is absolutely no game on wie's part, and of DL. Has she ever heard of a fellow named Mr.Pelz? The short-game instructional guru? Mickelson sure has.

ARGH....wrote way too much about her....thanks TGN for completely getting me hooked on this site....

[iyell4]

She is like the Leafs.....nobody cares until she proves herself.
i like watchin' her play.

[MP33]

Lot of critics laugh at her progress as a golf pro. I think she is laughing the loudest with her 20 million salary last year!

[hogannut]

i like watchin' her play.

Why? I found it quite difficult to watch her fall apart time and time again. That is why I stopped watching, it was emberassing.

Lot of critics laugh at her progress as a golf pro. I think she is laughing the loudest with her 20 million salary last year!

The "thrill" of the money doesn't last very long. Take a look at David DUval, he has as much as MW but he still wants to play and compete. I don't think MW really wants to be a golf pro, like someone like Morgan Pressel wants to be a touring pro. Maybe she will change her mind as she gets older, but right now it appears anyway she likes to walk around in skirts to short for her and wave at the gallery.:eek:

[MP33]

Why? I found it quite difficult to watch her fall apart time and time again. That is why I stopped watching, it was emberassing.



The "thrill" of the money doesn't last very long. Take a look at David DUval, he has as much as MW but he still wants to play and compete. I don't think MW really wants to be a golf pro, like someone like Morgan Pressel wants to be a touring pro. Maybe she will change her mind as she gets older, but right now it appears anyway she likes to walk around in skirts to short for her and wave at the gallery.:eek:

I've actually read that Duval is a lot more happier now than ever. It really has nothing to do with golf. More to do with the lady he married after leaving his girlfriend who he had been with for years. He has stated that the new found stability in his life has allowed him to concentrate on golf again. Having said all that, it's much easier to treat your golf career like a hobby once you have millions in the bank account. MW can now afford to do that as well.

[TourIQ]

Lot of critics laugh at her progress as a golf pro. I think she is laughing the loudest with her 20 million salary last year!It can't feel good to a persons ego when the $20 million was never earned :eek:, and they continue to seek the handouts [free ride] instead of the qualifying route.

I actually feel sorry for MW that she was exploited by most around her, as her inner circle chased the money and didn't put Michelle's needs first and foremost.

[MP33]

It can't feel good to a persons ego when the $20 million was never earned :eek:, and they continue to seek the handouts [free ride] instead of the qualifying route.

I actually feel sorry for MW that she was exploited by most around her, as her inner circle chased the money and didn't put Michelle's needs first and foremost.

I am not sure for what you mean by the point the money was never earned? The majority of that was endorsement money. Companies paid her to wear their clothes/watches/whatever to bring awareness to their brand. Last time I walked into Nike town on Bloor and in NYC, MW was plastered all over the walls. She is also plastered all over the website. It's unfortunate that she hasn't played to her potential but that's not the same as not earning your money.

[Bellyhungry]

For the few remaining Wie fans out there, she will be playing this week.

If she plays well this week, I think it will be a bigger story than the match play at Tuscon unless Tiger is in contention in the weekend.

[tourdeep]

For the few remaining Wie fans out there, she will be playing this week.

If she plays well this week, I think it will be a bigger story than the match play at Tuscon unless Tiger is in contention in the weekend.
I think your right!

[hogannut]

For the few remaining Wie fans out there, she will be playing this week.

If she plays well this week, I think it will be a bigger story than the match play at Tuscon unless Tiger is in contention in the weekend.

Sadly I agree too. I wish the media would just leave her alone and maybe she might be able to develop. So much attention for someone who has proven nothing!:nono:

[ginrin]

Wie will always be big news in golf until further notice.People love to debate how golfers should react.Wie was still the no5 draw in golf according to a poll taken in Dec by Golf Mag and the marketing gurus always see the cup overflowing.
Personally,I believe her injury was worst than thought and tried to play because of her committments and suffered because of it.If she is 100% she would be the Tiger of the LPGA.Nike gurus are not accustom to throwing away money,so they probably know more about her worth than we do.
All the best,Michelle and just play.
BTW.I believe Leadbetter is a good coach,but you're only as good as your student,and he does have Rose and Immelman in his stable.

[MP33]

Sadly I agree too. I wish the media would just leave her alone and maybe she might be able to develop. So much attention for someone who has proven nothing!:nono:

You just hit it on the nose. "So much Attention". That's why she earns her endorsement money. More exposure = more brand awareness. Very much like the Howard Stern effect. People who love HS tune in to hear what he has to say. People who hate him tune in to hear what he will say next. The net, everyone is tuning in. That's why he is 500 million richer as of 2004.

[Golden Bear]

If she is 100% she would be the Tiger of the LPGA.I'd disagree with that. She lacks both the drive and the mental toughness. At 100% she might win her share of tournaments and perhaps even be ranked #1 (though I have doubts about that), but she'll never dominate. She doesn't have that Tiger edge.

[Bellyhungry]

So Tiger just saved the day yesterday, I heard that the whole media carnival was ready to fly to Hawaii should Tiger gotten beat.

[Merlot]

So Tiger just saved the day yesterday, I heard that the whole media carnival was ready to fly to Hawaii should Tiger gotten beat.

Thats sad. I enjoy watching golf whether Tiger is in the field or not. Sometimes its better competition, speciall those tournamnets Tigers blows away the field.

[GQuizzle]

I agree... I love watching no matter what the field is like, but love watching Tiger put on a clinic the most. It might not be good golf drama, as for the technical aspect and shot selections, its unbelieveable.

[hogannut]

We are watching history every time Tiger tees it up.

[Lefty17]

SPOILER ALERT / UPDATE

1 birdie
1 bogey

1 / 5 FW's Hit
3 / 7 GIR's
10 Putts

Now tied for the lead at -2.

[Bellyhungry]

Well well well, Minus 2 and T-1 after 11 holes...

[Golden Bear]

I'll say this for Wie, and this is what has me rooting for her now ...

While I think she lacks the mental makeup to dominate (she's too accepting of mediocrity), she has been ridiculed and condemned for the last couple of years not just by fans, but by the media -- even golf media. She's taken every shot levelled at her and, at least publicly, has never lashed back.

Sure, for $20 million we can all put up with abuse, but money doesn't do much to blunt the sort of blows aimed at her. You don't have to be dirt-poor to feel the sting of being called a fake, or a failure, or to hear people accusing your parents of using and manipulating you out of selfishness. When you see her interviewed, she comes off like any ditzy, airheaded, smiling teenage girl. Annoying as hell, sure ... but not the blubbering sack of despair most of us would be under the strain of incessant public mockery.

By the way, through ten holes she's -1, two strokes back of the lead. Not that I'm jumping on a bandwagon. :D

Ah ... correction. -2. She birdied 11 as I was typing.

[golfpal]

I hope she does well and gets everyone off her back. Every just good would be great and give her confidence. I think she has the ability it's the mind now to straighten out, sometimes concentrating on school and other stuff will do that.:rolleyes:

[johnthegolfer]

She finished with a 69, 3 under, despite hitting just 6 fairways and 8GIRs. Driving distance 322 yards.
It was fun having a new star on the LPGA Tour last season. With Sorenstam looking good last week and other younger stars strong at the end of last season, maybe the ladies' tour is where the exciting golf will be this year?

[Bellyhungry]

Wie faded in the weekend and finished last in the field....

[GQuizzle]

Wie faded in the weekend and finished last in the field....

Consistency is key... she's got that at least!:rofl:

[Golden Bear]

It's a shame she fell apart. Things were looking up.

I still think she showed a lot more than last year and should have a strong season. But you've got to wonder about her mental makeup.

[cldale]

She made the cut, put in a couple very positive days. Thats the big thing really. If she looks at the first two days and tries to put the final round behind her then she could do well.

He swing definately isn't as nice as it used to be though, she's got a hyperspeed transition now, not the nice long & easy transition she used to have. I can't help but think thats part of the reason for her high number of snap hooks and pulls.

[mizuno_mp37]

The first round score masked that the problems in her game have not gone away........69 BUT 6 fairways and 8 GIR - thank heavens she was playing a course that she has played hundreds of times and knew the greens inside out.

Rounds 2 and 3 she didn't manage to keep the putting going and managed to hit around the 50% mark for fairways and GIR's - on a course that is yielding big red numbers that is no where near good enough.

I can see a problem this year in that even if she quietly goes and works hard on her game (whether with Leadbetter or not) and gets it back in some sort of decent shape then the lack of tournaments will be a problem. Every player (except Tiger) will tell you that you need the competition to keep a true edge to your game - one that you cannot get from practice or friendly play.

[ylynnad]

Wie is just like the late John Daly...produces only one good round each tourney.

[TourIQ]

Companies paid her to wear their clothes/watches/whatever to bring awareness to their brand. It's unfortunate that she hasn't played to her potential but that's not the same as not earning your money.I do not think her sponsors bargained for the train reck when she was coming in last during PGA events.
Hardly the + publicity they wanted.

BTW.I believe Leadbetter is a good coach,but you're only as good as your student,and he does have Rose and Immelman in his stable.My son wouldn't go to Leadpoison if lessons were offered for free :rofl:

I'd disagree with that. She lacks both the drive and the mental toughness. At 100% she might win her share of tournaments and perhaps even be ranked #1 (though I have doubts about that), but she'll never dominate. She doesn't have that Tiger edge.I agree 100% :D

She finished with a 69, 3 under, despite hitting just 6 fairways and 8GIRs. Driving distance 322 yards.Where did you find the driving distance of 322 yards? After the 1st day I checked the LPGA site and they had it listed ~ 290 yards and after the full event it was down to ~ 270 hards ... a far cry from your reported 322 yards.

[Lefty17]

Rose and Immelman yes great players. Immelman struggles with consistency. Rose should have a good year.

Just look at the rest of the players he's had and ruined. Does anybody really think CH III should have two wins???? NO

I watched a few a her swings last weekend and she's got a different swing. She wasn't getting off her right side and she fought the hooks all week. She almost hit one off the golf course....

This girl needs help from somebody that has had success with the modern day players. Butch, Hank.

I give her the credit for making cut but I don't think she anywhere near where she was 3 years ago.

[mizuno_mp37]

Rose and Immelman yes great players. Immelman struggles with consistency. Rose should have a good year.


Can I just point out that Justin Rose left Leadbetter in May 2006 and has since been coached by Nick Bradley. It is this combination that Justin recognises as having elevated his game to the world Top 10.

[golfpal]

Johnthe golfer was correct I saw 322 driving distance too on a site.

[Lefty17]

Can I just point out that Justin Rose left Leadbetter in May 2006 and has since been coached by Nick Bradley. It is this combination that Justin recognises as having elevated his game to the world Top 10.

Something was telling me that he left him.....thanks

[mizuno_mp37]

Something was telling me that he left him.....thanks

No problem, and by the way I agree with the thought that Justin will have a good year this year. I know he has been practising more now he has sorted out some of his back issues that plagued him at times over the last two years.

Taylor Made are real worried about Justin moving from them when his contract is up at the end of year so they are pulling out all the stops for him at the moment - he is their highest ranked player in the World Golf Rankings. One of his best friends is a rep with Taylor Made and he has been told that this year all he does is make sure Justin is happy. He even flew from Abu Dhabi to Florida to give him some of the new Taylor Made balls for testing then flew all the way back to Quatar!!