Juli Inkster sizzles to start Women's British Open while Wie and Webb stall

It's a good thing Karrie Webb didn't let Dot Wong submit her scorecard.

The more I follow golf tournaments, the more I see that there is a lot of randomness involved in the game. Inkster was nowhere to be found last week, now she is a birdie machine. I am actually getting more impressed by Michelle Wie's consistent top 5 finishes. And I can't agree more with Kerrie Webb who said that Annika's 5-6 year winning streak has been vastly undervalued. I think players know that the odds are against consistency in golf, unlike any other sport, particularly team sports. That's why Tiger thinks very highly of Annika, even as most people don't think women and men play at comparable levels.

nongolfer,

Uh, men and women DON'T play at comparable levels. By the way, it's "relatively" easy to dominate the LPGA because the competition is quite lacking.

Agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second. Remember, the person who tries to dominate the LPGA is also a woman, not a man. The fact that Annika could win routinely doesn't mean it could be done by the rest of 150 or so players. Also remember that these are 150 best players out of thousands who tied their hands at golf. Individual sports are particularly difficult in that you have no partners to lean on. A huge part of it is simply the experience, i.e., having played all kinds of courses, been in different positions and knows how one’s mind reacts to them. To expect that a 16-year-old win easily against 150+ players who have prevailed at different levels worldwide is unrealistic. If she peaks quickly, she will likely to lose it in a few years, and then perhaps will peak again, like Webb and Park. I don't believe it's possible for Michelle Wie to peak for 20 years. There will be a lot of ups and downs since she is only human, and laws govern other human beings will apply on her as well.

When I went to bed last night (Hawaii time) Michelle was 3 over after the first 3 holes, I thought, what a meltdown. Actually she along with everyone around he is still in the hunt since the top 10 will all fold with the possible exception of Julie. Should make for great tournamnet.

Interesting to see that "nongolfer" thinks that there is "randomness involved with the game", because Juli Inkster is leading. Listen, Junior, Juli Inkster has been winning majors longer than Michelle Wie has been alive.

I also said Inkster is a birdie machine. If that is not a compliment, I don't know what is. You have to put a negative spin on something in order to talk at all.

I am seeing an all too familiar pattern with Michelle and her inability to score on the par fives...an area where she is suppose to kick butt!! Julia was -5 for the par fives and Michelle was +1.

During the Michelle interview she was asked how many bunkers was she in and she said that she had no idea!? I wonder what she would say if asked what country is shhe playing in.

Should Julia have a repeat performance tomorrow, Michelle will be hard pressed to make the cut.

Joe Cool:

Hard pressed to make the cut?

What Ms. Inkster does has absolutely nothing to do with Ms. Wie's ability to "make the cut."

But you already knew that.

By Sunday, she will be in the top five, as always. The cream, and I don't mean Paula, always rises to the top especially over a four day tournament. The real question is can Julie repeat/maintain her amazing form and hold off the charge of Anna, Michelle, Lorena, Laura, Webb, etc.

Below are a couple of very important dates.

These are ABSOLUTE DEADLINES for me. After these dates I may go in to the
deep dark despair that the Wie detractors so dearly wish upon her supporters.

Date One: July 18, 2009

Date Two: April 10, 2012

After "date one" Michelle will have forever lost the opportunity
to have her first pro win at an age younger than Tiger Woods.

After "date two" Michelle will have forever lost the opportunity
to have her first pro win at an age younger than Jack Nicklaus.

If she wins anytime before either of these dates, she'll be ahead of
the mark set by at least one of the legendary golfers of our time.

Sure, one could argue that there are other "first win" target dates of some significance, but I
believe these may be the ones most important to her true supporters.

What are you guys worried about? Michelle finished one stroke better than last years first round in the Open. She finished third after opening with a 75.

Hey the girl improved her score, what is the issue.

Who knew the Inkster would shoot a Hall of Fame round and be the one leading this event. These old gals are rockin this season.

Yep, Wie-Wee is only 6 strokes off the pace.....and only 3 from missing the cut!!!!!

Better keep that bottle of 'Fake Puke' handy!!!!

Ghet Rheel posted this same bit of nonsense on Chris' blog. His goals for Bubbles have already been met by Paula Creamer. He should do his homework more often/

I'll be pulling a "nooner " today. We're visiting friends in the Quad Cities area. On Sunday, and possibly tomorrow, my buddy and I will play the TPC at Deere Run, the scene of Bubbles' swoon last month. Well be playing from tees at about 6400 yards. Bubbles better make a run or the Wie-wee's will be put on suicide watch.

6400 yards... are ya wearin' tank tops & skirts?

Well 'Good News', 'Bad News'. Wie-Wee hasn't lost any ground, still only 3 strokes from missing the cut. But, she isn't gaining any ground, either.....as Wie-Wee is now 10 strokes from the leader. Oh! maybe that could be considered 'Good News', 'Good News' ! ! ! !

Michelle Wie is doing just fine. Ups and downs are part of the game. Just ask Webb and Sorenstam who missed the cut recently. Even proven champions have bad days. The fact that you are so happy about Michelle doing a mediocre job suggests that you didn't expect it. That sounds like a compliment.

"Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
I'll be pulling a "nooner " today. We're visiting friends in the Quad Cities area. On Sunday, and possibly tomorrow, my buddy and I will play the TPC at Deere Run, the scene of Bubbles' swoon last month. Well be playing from tees at about 6400 yards. Bubbles better make a run or the Wie-wee's will be put on suicide watch."

Good luck Alex, give us a course report when you return.