Aug
02
Michelle Wie thinks a win is coming. Could it be at the Women's British Open?
Michelle Wie is not only gaining confidence in her golf clubs but she is also improving her interview skills. I was impressed by her answers at this week’s press conference regarding her expectations of herself. Also, her restraint when asked about her opinions of others who might speak out-of-turn about her skills, or lack thereof, was very becoming for a girl her age, where cattiness sets the high-school standard.
A mature Michelle stated, “it’s not because people expect me to win that I get frustrated. It’s just because I expect myself to win. You know, getting second, getting third every week, I mean, I think that’s pretty good. I think that’s pretty consistent but I’m ready for a win now.”
Okay Michelle, you say you’re ready now so here at the final major of 2006 is your place to prove yourself. Show all of the Wie-bashers that you can finish strong. Don’t allow the Women’s British Open to go into a playoff as the previous three majors have done. Don’t allow yourself to say once again, “obviously it’s very frustrating right after you finish playing. It’s like, oh my G-d, I was close again.”
Karrie Webb won the Kraft Nabisco in a playoff and comes into this event with “special memories of her first ever win as a pro". Webb lost in a playoff to Se-Ri Pak at the McDonalds LPGA Championship and Annika Sorenstam rallied in a Monday finish at the U.S. Women’s Open. Where will Wie stand come Monday morning?
Karrie Webb stated that Wie is “learning to win the hard way", that she is gaining her experience on professional tours and I agree that “it’s such a fine line between winning and finishing second or even fifth, tenth.”
Wie declared avidly that she doesn’t care what people have to say, “people have their right to talk” and I concur that second and third place is still great golf but now that she has learned how to compete it is finally time to learn how to win.
Let’s see some action Michelle! I, for one, am cheering you on this week. Don’t allow Annika Sorenstam to grab the Weetabix just so that she can text message Tiger Woods with a smiley-face. Don’t allow Karrie Webb the satisfaction of TWO major victories this season or your possible dip in the Rolex Rankings to phase you. Win that spa trip to Canyon Ranch, take your mom and pop along and smile all the way to the bank!
The Weetabix British Women’s Open will be televised for the first two days on TNT and the final two rounds on ABC. There will also be plenty of internet coverage so let’s all tune in and celebrate the final major of the year on the LPGA tour. It’s sure to be exciting!
| « Even ABC-TV finds LPGA and Women's British Open boring | Podcast: A valuable training aid already in your golf bag, perseverance pays off and loads of golf tips » |
53 comments
Comment from: Jay [Visitor]
If Wie still finishes 2nd or 3rd, it is still fine and well. She is just 16 for crying out loud. She does NOT need a win at this time to prove herself. No one in the world has won a major before 17 yrs old, and that only happened 100 years ago in some old far away place. We all know she is a tremendous talent, win comes when it is the right time. It is a when not if for Wie, so why push things ?
If she was your daughter, would you push her to win, or would you just say play your hardest ?
If she was your daughter, would you push her to win, or would you just say play your hardest ?
2006-08-03 @ 00:02
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Bubbles is a lot younger than sixteen. She and her sisters, Buttercup and Blossom, are still in kindergarden. How old can they be?
2006-08-03 @ 02:19
Comment from: brad [Visitor]
I am predicting a Michelle Wie win at this week's Weetabix Women's British Open. I am no longer going to be happy with just a 2nd or 3rd place finish. Yes, I said a 2nd or 3rd place finish isn't good enough for her. She is the future of the game, I think this is the week she will show what she is made of.
2006-08-03 @ 02:58
Way to go, Brad! Spoken like a true Wie Warrior! I also predicted a victory for Bubbles. The margin was supposed to be ten shots, but after her so-so start maybe seven or eight is more realistic. But she may turn it on and still win by ten or more. Count on it!
2006-08-03 @ 08:24
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
You usually don't win when you bogey the first three holes on the way to a first round of 74.
I am so happy!
I am so happy!
2006-08-03 @ 08:35
Booger, some people start their four-day tournament a little slower than others. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are two individuals who start out confident, yet cautious, and climb the leaderboard. It's a four-day event so she's probably trying not to place any undue pressure on herself.
Sorenstam is climbing the leaderboard more quickly than anticipated.
I'm surprised that Natalie Gulbis isn't making the move this season that I anticipated. Even Butch Harmon can't seem to help. I'm waiting to see Paula Creamer make a comeback after last season's tremendous 2nd place finale on the money list.
Sorenstam is climbing the leaderboard more quickly than anticipated.
I'm surprised that Natalie Gulbis isn't making the move this season that I anticipated. Even Butch Harmon can't seem to help. I'm waiting to see Paula Creamer make a comeback after last season's tremendous 2nd place finale on the money list.
2006-08-03 @ 09:15
Stacy, Didn't Natalie Gulbis recently tie for first after 72 holes only to lose in a playoff?
2006-08-03 @ 09:26
Stacy, As far as Woods starting out cautiously and climbing the leaderboard later, that comment was a little ill-timed. At the Buick today in Michigan, Tiger birdied his FIRST FIVE HOLES!
2006-08-03 @ 09:31
Get out Alex! I'm still on "yesterday time" when I saw pics of him at the pro-am!
It's good to see Tiger Woods showing he's still top-dog!
It's good to see Tiger Woods showing he's still top-dog!
2006-08-03 @ 09:42
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
You are funny, Stacy, I'll give you that. You are also a Wie Weirdo.
2006-08-03 @ 09:49
Thanks Booger ;-)
In response to Natalie Gulbis' recent playoff at the Owens Corning Classic, she didn't win. As a matter of fact, she too has a problem with winning, just like Wie. Perhaps her entrance into the final ADT Championship will spur her on to victory.
Aside from the Corning Classic, since the Wegmans (in which she MC'd), Gulbis has not been breaking down any doors.
U.S. Women's Open...T16, HSBC Match Play...T33, Evian Masters...T25th
In response to Natalie Gulbis' recent playoff at the Owens Corning Classic, she didn't win. As a matter of fact, she too has a problem with winning, just like Wie. Perhaps her entrance into the final ADT Championship will spur her on to victory.
Aside from the Corning Classic, since the Wegmans (in which she MC'd), Gulbis has not been breaking down any doors.
U.S. Women's Open...T16, HSBC Match Play...T33, Evian Masters...T25th
2006-08-03 @ 09:57
As far as being a "Wie Wierdo", pray tell, what does that mean?
2006-08-03 @ 09:59
Comment from: Frasier [Visitor]
"You usually don't win when you bogey the first three holes on the way to a first round of 74.
I am so happy!"
Why are you happy? Do you really care that much?
I am so happy!"
Why are you happy? Do you really care that much?
2006-08-03 @ 10:09
Stacy, This is somewhat off topic, but Woods' five birdies in his first nine holes only got him a tie for first with two others. Woody Austin also had five birdies on the front nine (Tiger started on ten), and Brett Quigley has an eagle and three birdies on the back nine. I know these guys are good, but this is getting ridiculous. These three and others are taking the course at Grand Blanc apart. Looking at that scoring , can anybody really believe that Michelle Wie or any woman can ever compete on the PGA tour? People, you've got to get serious.
2006-08-03 @ 10:16
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Yes Frasier, I care that much. Anything that our degenerate global corporations promote with their dollars is something that I wish failure on.
2006-08-03 @ 10:53
I have to agree with you, Alex. I always thought that women have their own tour so that they can compete with one another on equal footing.
Unfortunately, money is the motivator. Without raising purses in the LPGA (which is slowing occuring...the Evian Masters first place check was about $450K) the women will seek out the $$$.
I personally like to see post-season action where all tours can get involved. The Wendy's Three-tour Challenge at the end of the season is one of my favorites.
Unfortunately, money is the motivator. Without raising purses in the LPGA (which is slowing occuring...the Evian Masters first place check was about $450K) the women will seek out the $$$.
I personally like to see post-season action where all tours can get involved. The Wendy's Three-tour Challenge at the end of the season is one of my favorites.
2006-08-03 @ 11:48
Comment from: George [Visitor]
Here's one for the group. I'll re-post this elsewhere:
Wie Warriors, Wie skeptics, here's your chance:
Who will be the first to win their first LPGA tournament?
Michelle?
Morgan?
Natalie?
Wie Warriors, Wie skeptics, here's your chance:
Who will be the first to win their first LPGA tournament?
Michelle?
Morgan?
Natalie?
2006-08-03 @ 13:14
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Stacy, Stacy, Stacy, you think that the women are playing the PGA Tour because they "seek out the $$$"? Stacy, you know what you make for missing cuts? Answer: $0.
There are reasons why some women want to play the PGA Tour, but money has nothing to do with it. Try again.
There are reasons why some women want to play the PGA Tour, but money has nothing to do with it. Try again.
2006-08-03 @ 13:22
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails, You use the word "women", plural, to describe those who don't belong and who don't have the game and who can't qualify wanting to play the PGA tour. To my knowledge, Bubbles is the only broad with this quixotic dream. Are there any other liberated females, dykes or straight, who want to horn in on Bubbles' action?
2006-08-03 @ 13:40
Comment from: Mike-FL [Visitor]
George,
I pick Michelle even though Natalie (and Morgan) will be playing in many more tournaments.
If I had to pick them in order
Michelle
Natalie
Morgan
Though I would put Ai b4 Morgan
In fact I will make the same wager as I did with Ford, I'll take Michelle, the bet being 1 Florida Lottery ticket vs a comparable Lottery ticket. Is it a bet?
p.s. Who's your pick?
I pick Michelle even though Natalie (and Morgan) will be playing in many more tournaments.
If I had to pick them in order
Michelle
Natalie
Morgan
Though I would put Ai b4 Morgan
In fact I will make the same wager as I did with Ford, I'll take Michelle, the bet being 1 Florida Lottery ticket vs a comparable Lottery ticket. Is it a bet?
p.s. Who's your pick?
2006-08-03 @ 13:45
Comment from: Wie fan not a golf fan [Visitor]
Can somebody please explain why with all their collective heads ( I read somewhere that tee times were decided by the BBC,LPGA, LET and others ) they came up with an such early tee time for Michelle that by the time TNT came on she was done. And so was I.
Why such a dumb marketing move?
That and all the delayed Golf Channel telecasts that make the LPGA look like a 2nd rate sporting event?
Why such a dumb marketing move?
That and all the delayed Golf Channel telecasts that make the LPGA look like a 2nd rate sporting event?
2006-08-03 @ 16:50
Wie fan not, That is definitely NOT the way tee times are decided upon.
2006-08-03 @ 17:10
Comment from: Mike-FL [Visitor]
Unfortunately, the way it is being run, the LPGA is a 2nd rate sporting assoc.
2006-08-03 @ 17:11
I agree with Mike. I cannot believe that Carolyn Bivens is accepting these conditions for the LPGA. Exposure is very important. I know that I cannot watch the Golf Channel at my place of business, so there goes several events right there.
Get the golf out to the masses Carolyn. Make sure people get a full dose of the LPGA. I'm sure they will like what they see.
And to Judge, playing on the PGA tour has given Michelle Wie much exposure which translates into $$$. True, she might also feel that she is capable of beating guys on the tour - and she should be able to beat a few of them however money is the true motivator in this society.
Okay, Wie would also have major bragging rights by competing, and by staying the weekend, on an event on the PGA tour ;-)
Get the golf out to the masses Carolyn. Make sure people get a full dose of the LPGA. I'm sure they will like what they see.
And to Judge, playing on the PGA tour has given Michelle Wie much exposure which translates into $$$. True, she might also feel that she is capable of beating guys on the tour - and she should be able to beat a few of them however money is the true motivator in this society.
Okay, Wie would also have major bragging rights by competing, and by staying the weekend, on an event on the PGA tour ;-)
2006-08-03 @ 17:49
Comment from: ToddCommish [Visitor]
Once again, Wie fans show themselves to be completely ignorant.
Tee times are staggered between morning and afternoon and alternated on Thursday and Friday. Since you're a Wie fan and admittedly not a golf fan, perhaps you should educate yourself as to how golf tournaments work before lashing out irrationally. It makes even Wie Warriors cringe when a self-proclaimed Wie fan demonstrates that much ignorance.
It isn't the Michelle Wie Open, although her sponsors might want it to be.
Tee times are staggered between morning and afternoon and alternated on Thursday and Friday. Since you're a Wie fan and admittedly not a golf fan, perhaps you should educate yourself as to how golf tournaments work before lashing out irrationally. It makes even Wie Warriors cringe when a self-proclaimed Wie fan demonstrates that much ignorance.
It isn't the Michelle Wie Open, although her sponsors might want it to be.
2006-08-03 @ 17:55
Comment from: Mike-FL [Visitor]
My comment had absolutely nothing to do with Ms Wie's tee time. The way they are running and what I know of the plans for the future it seems that they are bound and determined to stay second rate.
2006-08-03 @ 18:15
ToddCommish: I do not believe that "Wie fan" was "lashing out", but only asking a question.
Mike has a point. I thought that when Ty Votaw left the position and Carolyn Bivens took over (both a woman and with extensive marketing experience) that she would understand how to put the LPGA in the faces of the public. So far I have not seen any improvements in the LPGA, have you?
And, thanks for explaining the way tee times are issued.
Remember, we're always learning! :-)
Mike has a point. I thought that when Ty Votaw left the position and Carolyn Bivens took over (both a woman and with extensive marketing experience) that she would understand how to put the LPGA in the faces of the public. So far I have not seen any improvements in the LPGA, have you?
And, thanks for explaining the way tee times are issued.
Remember, we're always learning! :-)
2006-08-03 @ 18:27
Comment from: Mike-FL [Visitor]
By the way, ToddCommish, If you pay attention to the amount of people following the various players around the LPGA tournaments that Michelle plays in, you will notice that she the largest amount of fans/spectators than anyone else. BAR NONE! Why do you think she gets exemptions? Besides being a great golfer, she also is a fan favorite. She could help the LPGA the way that Tiger helped the PGA. They seem bound and determined to distance themselves from her and to minimize her impact. To me this goes against sound business practices and is counter productive. Because of her fan base, here and in Asia, the LPGA should get with her big $$ sponsors and work on raising the profile, purses, TV exposure (and dare we hope revenue) and coverage. Instead they tend to exclude and minimize Ms Wie and her fan base. Bottom line, Hype or no hype, she has fans who are not golf fans. When she is not playing they are not watching.
2006-08-03 @ 18:28
Comment from: Jay [Visitor]
44th is good. See, she is set up perfectly for another Top 5 finish. She will make a move over the next couple days, but due to the large gap from day one, she won't win.
2006-08-03 @ 19:10
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
John D, You'll have to say this much for the Wie Warriors, they aren't easily discouraged. Take our friend Jay. Please. He says 44th is GOOD! Just the place to start a drive for a top five finish. Eight strokes behind the lead? No problem! She's going to make a move. On another thread, prolific Wie-wee Ghet Rheel calls Bubbles' 2 over 74 a "solid round". Her two over finish a "great recovery". And the weird part of all this is they actually believe these fantasies. Sometimes these guys are entertaining, but at other times they inspire pity.
2006-08-03 @ 21:17
Comment from: Wie fan not a golf fan [Visitor]
Alex and ToddCommish (espy the latter) before you criticize somebody for being ignorant make sure you yourselves are not. I got the tee times info from The Herald in the UK and below is the quote:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/67117.html
"......The tee-off times are arrived at through a mix of influences, including the Ladies Golf Union, promoters IMG, the Ladies European Tour, the American LPGA Tour and television, in this week's case the BBC, who are understood not to have included Matthew in their requests.
Susan Simpson, tournament director, said: "We try to spread strong players throughout the field and there are some at the start and at the end on both days. It is noted that Catriona is the top-ranked Briton, who is attractive from the spectator point of view. We are expecting ......"
And which part of the "...not a golf fan" did you not understand?
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/67117.html
"......The tee-off times are arrived at through a mix of influences, including the Ladies Golf Union, promoters IMG, the Ladies European Tour, the American LPGA Tour and television, in this week's case the BBC, who are understood not to have included Matthew in their requests.
Susan Simpson, tournament director, said: "We try to spread strong players throughout the field and there are some at the start and at the end on both days. It is noted that Catriona is the top-ranked Briton, who is attractive from the spectator point of view. We are expecting ......"
And which part of the "...not a golf fan" did you not understand?
2006-08-04 @ 01:49
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Did you know it's only 16 in Lancashire, England ?
2006-08-04 @ 06:56
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Wie fan not, Since you're not a golf fan, which is rather obvious, but instead a Wie fan, perhaps you can answer this question. If Bubbles abandons golf and instead pursues badminton, mah jongh , macrame, or needlepoint, will you remain a Wie fan?
2006-08-04 @ 08:03
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Bubbles is now nine strokes from the lead at 3 over par and only two from a projected missed cut. As a contingency plan, perhaps the Wie Warriors like One-Putt, putt4par, Jay,Florida Mike, and Ghet Rheel should start preparing their excuses now for future posting on these blogs. Here are some ideas to kick around. 1)She is only sixteen and she might be getting homesick for her girlfriends. 2)Her famous 250+ yard two-iron shot deserted her, and if all else fails, 3) So what? So she missed a cut. Big deal.Even the best miss an occasional cut. Nobody cares when Morgan misses a cut. Even Vijay, Phil and Tiger miss cuts. She still gets more in endorsements, and besides, what did you shoot today? What were you doing when you were sixteen? That should shut up the Wie bashers!
2006-08-04 @ 09:16
Comment from: Mike-FL [Visitor]
Alex, thanks for covering the contingencies for us. I do not know how we manage without you
2006-08-04 @ 09:46
I haven't played a round all week. The heat was overwhelming...about 100 for the past few days. Barry and I flipped a coin for today's (Friday) tee time and guess who won?
2006-08-04 @ 09:57
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Mike-Fl, You're welcome. Anything I can do to help you guys, I will do. You birds need all the help you can get.
2006-08-04 @ 10:43
Wie is -1 through 12. I'm really peeved that, on the LPGA site when you click on Michelle Wie's name on the leaderboard, her picture doesn't appear. Hasn't the LPGA taken any pics of Wie?
Even though she is not a member of the LPGA, shouldn't she get the same respect as her peers?
Even though she is not a member of the LPGA, shouldn't she get the same respect as her peers?
2006-08-04 @ 11:12
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Stacy
I don't care about the picture--but I would like some stats.
I checked a betting site--and since there were no LPGA sites what came up when you clicked her name was her PGA stats.
I don't care about the picture--but I would like some stats.
I checked a betting site--and since there were no LPGA sites what came up when you clicked her name was her PGA stats.
2006-08-04 @ 11:58
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,
Believe it or not, Isabelle Beisegel (sp?) has been attempting to qualify for men's events for quite some time now. It's amazing, too, because she can't even beat eggs on the women's tour. I was at her site once and I think she uttered some folderol about how golf if all psychological, so women should be able to compete with men.
By the way, I can't be absolutely sure that she is still pursuing this fruitless endeavor, but my assumption is that she's no more intelligent that she was when I read about her eight months ago.
Believe it or not, Isabelle Beisegel (sp?) has been attempting to qualify for men's events for quite some time now. It's amazing, too, because she can't even beat eggs on the women's tour. I was at her site once and I think she uttered some folderol about how golf if all psychological, so women should be able to compete with men.
By the way, I can't be absolutely sure that she is still pursuing this fruitless endeavor, but my assumption is that she's no more intelligent that she was when I read about her eight months ago.
2006-08-04 @ 13:08
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,
Perhaps Bubbles should play it safer and gear down to her 250 yard three iron. Hmm, what would this make her nine iron -- 190 yards? What an amazing girl. And I believe I'm correct in saying she's only sixteen.
Perhaps Bubbles should play it safer and gear down to her 250 yard three iron. Hmm, what would this make her nine iron -- 190 yards? What an amazing girl. And I believe I'm correct in saying she's only sixteen.
2006-08-04 @ 13:13
Comment from: Wie fan not a golf fan [Visitor]
Alex of course not. What an absolutely silly question. What's your point?
2006-08-04 @ 13:16
Comment from: Pete [Visitor]
If she wants to win, it's better be now. People keep saying she still young and stuff. They will keep saying it until she is 30. Get agressive, win now.
2006-08-04 @ 16:16
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
Alex,
How do you post so often. Do you not go to school, like the other boys? Isn't there a law that makes little boys attend school, or has that been changed?
How do you post so often. Do you not go to school, like the other boys? Isn't there a law that makes little boys attend school, or has that been changed?
2006-08-04 @ 16:23
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails, At least Isabel is attempting to QUALIFY for the men's tour, something that Bubbles has never had to do, and which is beyond her reach in any case. Jim C boldly predicted that Bubbles would win the Weetabix, the Evian, and make the cut at the John Deere. Looks like JImbo went for the Horse Collar. Brad and a few other dreamers were certain that she'd win this weekend since the course "set up well for her" and some other nonsense. But I don't think they will be at all deterred in their allegiance to Bubbles. Look for them to come up with some far-out excuses and predictions in the coming weeks. She has a lot of pressure since this is her senior year in high school is one possibility. It wasn't as easy to get into Stanford and those SAT's were really awesome is another. One thing I have noticed is that some of the real diehard Wie-wie's are becoming a little cautious. Wie-zeal Ghet Rheel has scaled back his forecasts for Bubbles. Now he says we should expect her to really boom out when she is between the ages of 22 and 35! I can hear them now, "Let the poor girl alone ! She's only 27! What were you doing when you were 27?"
2006-08-06 @ 18:27
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Yes, Alex, but can you imagine the chest pounding and I-told-you-so's that will be heard when Bubbles finally hits paydirt? I mean, the Wie-zeals are much like their savior herself; they all just keep on rolling the dice until their numbers come up. In Bubbles' case, she'll be able to say, "I made a PGA cut! And it was only my 152nd attempt!" Her acolytes are just the same: they predict victory prior to most of her starts. Thus, given how they define victory a little bit differently than normal people, there's no doubt that one of these days they'll be gloating and boasting about their powers of prognostication.
2006-08-06 @ 21:47
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Wie fan not a golf fan, My question was very simple and to the point, but since you're having trouble with its contents, please pay attention. As your handle says, you are a fan of Michelle Wie, period. It also says that you are not a fan of the sport of golf. My question was, and still is, would you still be a fan of Bubbles if she quit playing golf? If your answer still is "Of course not," then you obviously aren't a true fan of Bubbles. Got it?
2006-08-07 @ 08:01
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