Michelle Wie likely off LPGA Tour until May with injury

Dot,

What you euphemistically refer to as a "leave of absence" is known around college campuses as "dropping out."

The scuttlebutt is that Bubbles was seen playing golf and practicing for long hours right before the Safeway began.

It is apparent that neither she or her handlers have the slightest bit of respect for the good folks who extend to her these exemptions.

At the rate she is going, in about another year Bubbles will be a distant memory.

Alex USMC 1969-73

One can only hope the distant memory arrives before another year is up. At least she is now showing some consistency. She has shown that when things get tough, withdraw. Seen now on the course and in life. Why will no one stand up to her immaturity and just say enough is enough. I'm baffled at the extensions of invitations under sponsors exemptions that (although she now seemingly has to beg for) still being provided to her. And if I was Stanford it would certainly be a cold day in hell before she was allowed to set foot back on their campus. I mean how used can they feel. Just enough time there to finish her little "life at school" bit for TGC and she is outta there. Used them to provide an excuse for not focusing this year on golf, and as a place to hide for a time when things were really really bad. Fact is she still can't compete on a professional tour, and she has given up school. A couple more missed cuts or last places and that will be that, I hope. God knows there are far more deserving golfers for the media spotlight. I mean look at Lorena go. She may do more for women's golf than Tiger did for men's. I think she could be that good. And she is nice and humble and "so not like totally like you know like spoiled".

smudge,

First of all, it's a travesty that a golfer ranked 124th should have received no less than five sponsor's exemptions thus far. Her dismal performance thus far in 2008---T73 in the Fields and withdrawal in the Safeway---hasn't deterred her pleading agents and the subservient tournament directors at all.

But it is now obvious that the Wie machine is in panic mode. They overplayed their hand so badly that now Bubbles will need to average about $20K per event for her remaining LPGA tournaments in order to finish 90th on the money list in order to avoid "Q" school. They now realize that Bubbles' only chance in the future is membership in the LPGA.

Even if she qualifies for both the US and British Women's Opens, and makes the cuts in both events, any monies won there will not count towards Bubbles' total. Only money won in domestic events of over 75 players count in the money standings.

So, the way her game is going, Bubbles will have her work cut out for her get to 90th, despite the preferential treatment she is receiving. Thus, the feeling of urgency by her handlers to go begging hat in hand.

If she can't qualify in this manner for what will amount to only a limited exempt status, and if she fails to make it through "Q" school, or more likely doesn't attempt "Q" school, the golfing world will most likely have seen the end of Bubbles' golf career.

Alex USMC 1969-73