Oui, Wie! Michelle uses another LPGA exemption for Evian Masters. Can the Americans keep the trophy on U.S. soil?
Add commentsWhile the French fry over American Floyd Landis’ Tour de France victory, a small group of Americans head off to the Evian Masters with the hopes of keeping the trophy that Paula Creamer won last year in their possession. From the looks of it, this could be construed as a mini-Solheim Cup battle.
This is, indeed, a very small group. Only about one-third of the golfers heading over to Evian-les-Bains are from the U.S.A.. Americans don’t have a good history at this event either. Prior to Paula Creamer claiming the silver cup in 2005, the only American who was victorious here was Juli Inkster in 2003. Laura Davies has been a three-time champion and Annika Sorenstam has taken two trophies in France.
But this year Americans have an ace up our sleeves. As a 15-year-old amateur last year, Michelle Wie finished in 2nd place, eight strokes behind Creamer. This year Wie stands second in the Rolex rankings and is honing her game by participating in both LPGA and PGA tour events. Could this be Michelle Wie’s breakthrough tournament?
Not if Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa and Karrie Webb have anything to say about it. Each of these ladies have won events this season and have plenty of top-tens so they are favorites this week.
Don’t forget the LPGA’s Asian invasion team of Mi Hyun Kim, Seon Hwa Lee, Joo Mi Kim and Se Ri Pak who will also be in this week’s field. As Bill Wolfrum aptly states in his blog, “The LPGA is in a much worse predicament as while no one was watching, South Korea was busily cloning brilliant golfers who do most of the winning these days.”
Of course Wie is considered Korean to people in Korea (and Koreans who live in America) so if she wins, Michelle might be considered salvation to those Americans who feel that “the ultimate demise of the U.S. is starting on the golf course” and a way for Koreans to feel vindicated that Wolfrum’s statement just might be true.
So while Amercians are hinging their hopes of success at the Evian Masters on golfers such as Creamer, Wie and Pressel (each who have yet to win a tournament), keep an eye out for those very able non-Americans, quietly climbing the leaderboards, winning titles and getting the job done.
Americans can catch the Evian Masters on The Golf Channel starting tomorrow. For non-Americans, check your local listings.
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She's human and I'm sure she's read some of the recent criticism and feels stung by them even though she's not showing it
Where I feel bad that she had to bail at the John Deere, hopefully Wie learned something from her experience...like, drink plenty of fluids this week!
A knowledgeable golf person would not talk about the possibility of Michelle Wie missing the cut in an event that does not have a cut.
Did Annika do it? No!
Did Nancy do it? No?
Did Julie do it? No!
Maybe Paula did it? No!
Morgan? No!
Lorena? Nopes!
Brittany? No!
Kathy Whitworth? No!
I've been waiting for quite some time Alex, George, Judge, John D, JR or the other wie haters who are stuck on stupid to come up with any answers.
Considering Michelle has a significant head start on her career than when Annika and Kathy started playing and had their first wins, odds are she may do very well indeed.
Let me give you a clue, clueless ones, if they don't exist is hasn't happened before.
I'm content watching consistent fine play from someone the age of an average Junior golfer.
Anyone who can't appreciate the effort is clearly stuck on stupid!
Ah Coulthard.... you see... I did not know that the Evian Masters did not have a cut... that's just out of the norm (as compared to the vast majority of other pro stroke play tournaments). My mistake, I admit it... But you seem to like taking pot shots at folks... is this part of your character? Are you one of those individuals who relies on the good nature of others not to reply in kind???? We'll let that one go for now.
Now, back to the top 10 but wont win... it is possible to have a top 10 AND win.... so my prediction of top 10 and WONT win is plausable. You see, even when a non MW fanatic tries to say something positive, it's shot down. Now... folks, let'w watch our manners on this site...
OnePut... there you go again with a reference to age... she will be turning 17 soon (ie...few months). this entire argument you put forth just doesnt do anything. What are you MW folks gonna do once she's no longer a minor??????
For MW, I hope she does win...... but until she does, it is very entertaining watching her misguided fans write "interesting" things on the blog.
Calling this Michelle's first year on the LPGA tour is a little misleading, she has played in over 40 LPGA events and has been taking exemptions since she was 13 years old. It is a testemant to her skill and perhaps a bit unfair, but she should have won something by now. Regardless of her age she has had the game to win and has not.
When you are billed as the future of the women's game and as somebody who will only use the women as a stepping stone to play against the men then you have to deliver and for my money top 5's on the LPGA tour should be expected not celebrated.
You can't have it both ways--Michelle is either the next coming or she's just another very good golfer. If she is the transcendant women's player of our generation then let's see her prove it, starting with winning on the ladies tour. If she's just another great golfer, then please feel free to brag about her high LPGA finishes minus any victories.
Never fear, Jim, you're idol is right where she should be, T-8. I expect Michelle to make a valiant run at the leaders, once she is unburdened of the pressure of actually winning the tournament before settling into her familair top 5 spot. The other scenario, of course, is that she holds a share of the lead going into the final two holes only to three-putt from 6 feet or need two shots to get out of a fairway bunker, whatever the scenario, the result is predictable another oh so close losing effort. Her finish is almost as predictable as your response, which even though you have predicted victory for her(as you do every week) will sound like one big fat excuse rolled into a pathetic pep talk.
Lorena should win as her Golf Kung Fu is very powerful right now.
Karrie or Mi Hyun for second place as their games are peaking right now.
Annika will finish in the top five as it is difficult to win after a major victory and she has her mind on the Weetabix next week thanks to Tiger's text message.
If Michelle leads in GIR and keeps her PPR under 30 she will finish the Evian in the top five near the top. If she doesn't she will finish towards the bottom of the top five or slip into the top ten.
Speaking of the Weetabix with Annika and Michelle, I believe if Michelle takes a tip from Tiger it might be her moment to win. Michelle is one of the few gals who can drop a two iron in her bag and fire for effect. She has gained a great deal of experience hitting long irons while playing on the men's tour. Staying in the fairway away from the pot bunkers is the key to success in links golf. Annika is normally very accurate with her driver, but it will be difficult to keep the ball from running thru the fairway if the same weather conditions persist as the men had last week.
Predict a win for a sixteen year old? I might be stupid Alex and Ford, but I am not stuck on stupid. If it happens it happens, if it doesn't happen, so what?
Would I like to see Wie finally win a tournament? YES.
Do I think Wie could win an event on the LPGA tour? YES.
Do I believe that this may be her week to win? YES.
Will it be because of her own inner conflicts that she succeeds or falters? Undoubtedly so.
P.S. Alex...thanks for making me laugh just now...I needed it!
However, things could have been worse and she should be actually thankful for her overall situation. She should learn from these 'hardship' as these will be a nutrition for her personal and professional growth. In a sense, it must have been a rude awakening for her. Everyone needs it once in a while, otherwise they think the world revolves around them.
As for prediction at Evian ? I have to go with top 5 finish. (of course if you keep predicting Wie will win every event you will get it eventually, but let's be realisitic.)
(Ford dude, nice article ! Alex should learn how to write from Ford. For a starter, calling someone 'bubble' starts off with 'negativity' and will not give Wie fans a good impression. The reader knows what you are determined to write about whatever the situation is)
I don't make predictions. I'll leave that to the rest of you. However, Ochoa has been amazing this year and she did T2 last year at Evian. Annika also is being needled by Tiger, so it might be a nice answer to his text msg after The Open. The thing about the scoreboard at most LPGA events, is there usually isn't the dramatic movement after each round as there is on the PGA tour.
One-Putt, Do you realize that you've accused two of your fellow Wie Warriors of being stuck on stupid? Jenny and Jim COULTHARD have flatly predicted that Bubbles will win at Evian. Such treachery will not be treated lightly by the Wie hive. You have some tall explaining to do."
I respect the consistent level of play that Michelle brings to each LPGA event she enters. My expectations might be lower than you Alex and the Wie supporters as I just like to see her play well and watch her game grow. Someday we will all get quite bored watching Michelle win, so I will enjoy the journey at the beginning of her career and it is quite a show so far.
Considering Michelle is two years away from having her 2008 LPGA Rookie season (if she chooses to join the tour), I can imagine it will be the same historic Rookie start as her professional career has turned out so far.
Winning would just be an unexpected bonus to a wonderful display of golfing excellence from a SIXTEEN year old girl. Yes Alex she is only SIXTEEN believe it or not.
Did you notice Alex that Michelle had no problem coping with the heat when she could dress properly for the event. In fact her score was six stokes better than her first round last year at the Evian. I guess her experience at the John Deere is messing with her mind, she is falling apart.
http://www.evianmasters.com/
We all know that she will eventually win. This week, next month or next year but she will.
By the way, how was your game at 17, ... ?
After a first victory she will be relief, pressured off and she will add some more.
Many talented athletes went through similar conditions.
For my part when i watch golf, i wish they all play at their best and show us great golf shots.
I have my favorite players too but i don't care who wins. I wish them all good luck.
We all know how tough is the game. And it's nice to see different players winning.
For Michell Wie, her time will come.
But for all the crystal ball owners, (no offence), why don't you make money out of your predictions and bid ?
I don't really need to see another picture of Michelle Wie, I just thought the irony was interesting. You know, some people actually used to follow the LPGA before Wie. She hasn't been getting LPGA tournament exemptions that long. You know, she is only 16.
As for the Wie fans turning on each other... that's nothing compared to the haters. Chris Baldwin is always making interesting jabs at Tim McDonald. Got to love it. If Wie wins, I think some people will have to seek the therapy they think Wie needs.
What is this world coming to when a couple of Blonde and Blue Eyed American girls are beaten by little brown girls.
Who knows Alex? Maybe Britanny can put together a couple of 59s and get right back in this thing.
http://www.mylpga.com/boards/showthread.php?t=1490
It was similar with Tiger though when he had all the hype, even after he won the Masters by 12 strokes some of the press and golf fans were saying "he's not that good". It's a reaction to the hype more than anything.
I am not comparing the two yet, by the way. Wie obviously has not won at all, so Tiger had done more, and was still criticised, or people said he "was just another guy".
I think Wie is in a good position to win. Will she? I would not say either way really.
I would hardly call myself a Wie Warrior. I would just like a more balanced view on Wie with respect to what the reality is, rather than some people who don't even know what goes on in the LPGA to say that Wie should play only there. I think there's a loss of perspective when Michelle Wie's camp is the one always bearing the brunt of criticism.
If people aren't happy w/ the sponsor's exemptions, maybe they should be directing that towards the PGA and the sponsors. If people think that Wie should only be playing on the LPGA, maybe they should direct some criticism towards the LPGA and their outdated rules. If people want to criticize Wie's golf game, I see nothing wrong with doing so. But to criticize her for taking opportunities that are presented to her? I don't think many people in her position would not take these opportunities to play when she really is quite limited in the number of tournaments she can play. But really, no one else is in her position, so we can't say these things definitely.
People say ridiculous things here, like... oh Michelle Wie should go back to playing junior girls. Even Natalie Gulbis hasn't played junior girls since she was 12. They even think Michelle Wie will get cut from Evian, a tournament without a cut. They say she won't even finish in the top 10, when she's finished in the top 10 of every LPGA tournament she's played this year. I'd say something is clouding their rational thinking and it's probably hate.
"Of course Wie is considered Korean to people in Korea (and Koreans who live in America)"
By "Koreans who live in America", you don't happen to mean Americans of Korean ethnic descent, do you?
gosh, it's a shame bubbles putts so lousy and missed her birdie at the 14th today, she had to settle for a measly 66. I see that Brittany is once again amazingly consistent, 2 consecutive 78's. Oops, I forgot, isn't it better to have a lower score in golf?
****************************
Well Brittany has something that Wie-Wee doesn't....A WIN ! ! !
I'm not an American, so maybe I'm not familiar with *ahem* your culture, though I have resided here for the past year. However, I don't think you can definitely say that, "It is simply not in the mentality of the vast majority of American people to "hate" anyone."
It seems like such an odd statement to make when we're not talking about the vast majority of Americans. We're talking about Travel Golf Bloggers and the people who respond to their posts. I see so much vitriol in these blogs. It goes so much further than people just disagreeing with each other, but personal attack upon Wie and upon each other. You have even said that "If Bubbles does get her first "W", I'll be the first to congratulate her. I'd really love to see her do it. The stark, raving insanity on these blogs would be priceless." Yes, indeed.
I think the original post set the tone for racism. It's great how the quality of post by the Travel Golf Bloggers doesn't matter, if it says Wie in the title we just take it and run.
Maybe it is fate!!
It's amazing how you're able to be so ignorant on so many different levels. Yet your racist comments support my views that there is indeed hatred on these blogs.
BTW, E-wie-n is not how Evian is pronounced in Korean. It's closer to Eh-Be-Ahn.
To those who think that Koreans consider Michelle Wie as Korean:
If you read any Korean newspaper, they pointedly refer to Michelle Wie as a Korean-American. They consider Christina Kim, a Korean-American.
As far as the Evian tournament goes, it barely registers on the radar of the Korean sports pages and when it does, they are almost exclusively talking/featuring/have a picture of Mi-Hyun Kim.
Recently there was an article re: the LPGA's attitude towards Korean golfers in the Dong-a Ilbo(a Korean newspaper). They tallied the winnings of Korean golfers on the LPGA. The article noted that when they were refering to the winnings of Korean golfers, they were not including Christian Kim and Michelle Wie who are Korean-Americans.
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=070000&biid=2006071902678
Koreans generally don't regard Korean-Americans as Koreans. Of course, in Korea there's a certain amount of fascination towards anyone of Korean ancestry who is famous or successful, for example Hinds Ward(who was born in Korea and his mother is Korean) when he visited Korea. However, they consider someone who is born or even raised primarily outside of Korea different than a Korean national who is both born and raised in Korea.
Anyway, Korea has plenty of golfers who win on the LPGA, why would they need to bogart Michelle Wie?
MW is actually growing up like a typical American girl, which is why America loves her. MW's parents are Koreans, but they can only teach her so much. The only way for her to become a Korean is to move permanently there, which I doubt would happen. I eat Korean, Mexican food, etc. and that doesn't make me a Korean nor Mexican. I may dress like one, learn Spanish, or Korean but I will always be an American who happens to like Mexican food, and speaks Korean. So, MW is American, folks like it or not.
Not knowing where you are from, i.e., your "ahem" culture, I'm not sure I can give you a comparison that would make sense, however, KKK was (and still is to some degree) spread throughout the good ole US of A, having once numbered millions of people in their membership, not unlike the nazis, I'm sure.
And, to some of us in the mid-west, Ann Arbor is considered a foreign country, not to mention Wisconsin. :-) - just kidding folks, don't anyone get on the high horse!!
i have to, very reluctantly, agree with Alex on this one -- in the mid-west, particularly (and probably in the south - the one true place in america that still has manners!) - the majority of folks are people you would want as a next door neighbor...
remember, the media reports on the negative things in life - that's what sells..
toto
PS - welcome to america
As far as giving me a geography lessson. Gee, I appreciate it, being a foreign alien and everything. So basically you're saying any city that is considered Liberal, is not a place where you'll find the true warm-hearted Americans? That sounds a little rude, is it because you're not from the South? It's interesting how you're so quick to mention all these academic towns, why would you assume I live in one?
I can't believe someone brought up Nazis. Well since you did, the Nazi's didn't use the word hate either, but there you go.
Now really, Alex, you've gone from saying that Americans would never hate to saying the people of the mid-west and south would not hate. It's pretty irrelevant, unless all the people who post comments on Travel Golf are from the "true" areas of the mid-west and south.
Blah blah blah. I'm sure there are nice people everywhere in the USA. Lets get back to golf instead of it making it some patriotic dogma lesson.
The original poster of this blog hasn't addressed any of my questions to what they meant by "Koreans who live in America." or why they think Koreans would take ownership of Michelle Wie. In fact, who is the original poster of this blog? Is it Stacy who has this blog as her Site/Url? Oh yeah, lets not get into Site/Urls... it can be confusing for some.
What is everyone's take on this?
My take is, you don't really know what you're talking about. BJ Wie hasn't been caddying for Michelle Wie for quite some time, so it's not like this is really news even though someone asked her a lame interview question.
The reason why BJ Wie is not her caddy is because he is not skilled enough to be a professional caddy. Caddies are not just guys who carry your bags around the golf course, because the USGA tells you you can't have a cart. Caddies, especially in the LPGA, are HEAVILY relied upon to read the greens. Greg Johnston has been a caddy for 20 years.
Michelle Wie, at John Deere, said, "I mean, obviously people are going to have expectations. I can't please everyone. I'm just out here for myself, and my parents still love me even though I don't win tournaments (laughter). It's great."
Now that's hardly a sign of a girl who has overbearing parents. It's apparent that she is very close to her parents and I don't see how that's a bad thing. Many golf parents have made significant sacrifices for their children, it doesn't mean they are evil or bad or put too much pressure on their children. Children have pressure, no matter what, it's just nice when they have supportive parents to help them.
I don't think you actually know BJ Wie enough to make comments on his character or his relationship with his daughter, so don't. And yeah, you have made comments on BJ Wie on other blogs, something about wondering if other South Korean golf parents are just as pushy. Why don't you ever back up your "questions" with any substantial evidence? If you think he's pushy, give us some examples of it, instead of veiling everything in the form of a question. It's not Jeopardy.
I have many friends who are Korean women who live in America. They are NOT Korean Americans because they are not yet citizens and perhaps may be struggling with a green card (I don't ask...that's impolite) but I'm not gonna tell you who they are.
These people only know of Michelle Wie as "Korean" no matter how many times I tell them that she is a red-blooded American.
I think it's great that they associate Michelle Wie with their native country. It gives them a connection to their home (which they probably miss terribly as some of them have not visited for years) that they probably would not have otherwise.
Also, pushiness towards children is not necessarily a bad thing. It can give a child the motivation that he/she would normally not have. Asian families have children who are terrific in school too. The Bronx High School of Science (my alma mater) is one example where the Asian kids almost outnumber the other kids. Their family philosophies are all about studying hard to achieve goals, whether in science, math or even golf.
Now stop putting me down.
BTW, just because someone isn't an American citizen, does not mean they are an illegal alien. If I were an illegal alien, I'd be working hard... not writing on these blogs.
As someone who has such a grasp of the English language, as you claim, you would also know the subtleties of a phrase like "Of course Wie is considered Korean to people in Korea (and Koreans who live in America)".
By "people in Korea" did you not mean Koreans?
There are other people in Korea who aren't Koreans. In fact, there are Americans who live in Korea, do they consider Michelle Wie a Korean? Do you even know?
Do you understand why I might take exception with "Koreans who live in America". Of course you do, because now you're giving me this whole, "I have many friends who are Korean women who live in America."
I didn't ask you who they were, nor do I care if you have these friends. If that's what you really meant, why would you say it that way? Koreans in Korea and Koreans in America are both Korean Nationals. Why would their views be necessarily different? Now Korea National vs. Korean-Americans... there's an actual difference there.
You knowing Korean women who may or may not be illegal aliens in America, doesn't change the ambiguity of what you initially wrote and the veiled stereotyping, particularly to Koreans, I've seen in your posts. Of course, you are usually just paraphrasing LPGA.com so your attitudes towards Koreans would also fall in line w/ theirs.
I don't really care how many Korean American kids you went to high school with. I don't even care where you went to high school(Oh you couldn't get into Stuyvesant ?) or where you went to college(Oh you couldn't get into Columbia?) I don't care if you play golf(doesn't everyone?) or your handicap(you play with one?). These things are not relevant to stating clearly your opinions on the game of golf and why you have these opinions. When I read both your blog and your posts on other blogs, you usually just make statements(usually in the form of a question) without any reasons.
We don't have to agree, that would be no fun. Even Alex gives me reasons for what he says, though I almost never agree with him.
And as for putting you down, I don't even know *you* as a person. I only know what you write on these blogs. I'm not going to just stop disagreeing with you and making fun of you for what you say, because you tell me... you've got to convince me. You asked for people's takes. I gave you mine. Ask Chris Baldwin, Tim McDonald, or your favorite William Wolfram... It's how blogs work.
Stuyvesant and Bx Science are equally good schools. But you probably never attended either of them. Where did you go to school? Oh, you won't say.
What is your handicap? Oh, you won't say.
And, if you don't care about anything I have to say, why continue to post blogs here? Hmmm?
I disown Jenny M, don’t even consider her for my cup.
I know exactly where you are coming from and enjoy winding you up.
Jenny M is another matter altogether. She doesn’t seem to have a point and uses a lot of words doing it.
By the way, your latest belittling exercise was pretty good, Quite entertaining really. I suppose you have had plenty of practice.
Maybe, only people with degrees should be allowed on this site. Each person should have to submit a copy of their degree with a signed affidavit.
Alan M
Uh... Alex? I think already told you to get yourself to a hospital. Do you have heat stroke?
I'll just pretend your previous weirdness did not happen.
I already told you as much as I'm going to tell you. I could tell you what my academic credentials are, but that would mean that those things actually matter here on a web forum.
Since you're a lawyer, you know if I'm legally living here in your country, it's rather unlikely that I'm uneducated. Is that why you want me to be an American?
It's kinda sad how you've demonstrated so much prejudice towards the working class. Do you think that someone who didn't go to college has less legitimacy when talking about golf than someone who has a PhD from an Ivy? I know quite a few academics who can't tell me the first thing about golf. Yet, I'm pretty sure you don't need a college degree to be a caddy for a top pro or to be a professional golfer.
This seemed a bit much. Only two pictures and the one of Michelle Wie--but no mention of any Korean connection.
My guess. The Koreans are being careful not to make any claims that Michelle Wie is Korean in their English language press. To get the true view, we would need to read the Korean language press.
Why would the Koreans feel any need to be careful with the English language press? The previous Dong-A-Ilbo article that I sited was orginally written in Korean and only translated into English aferwards.