Win a free golf book!

Inkster and Hurst anticipating team win at LET/LPGA World Cup. Michelle Wie anxious to make any cut after tanking in PGA Sony Open

Wednesday January 17, 2007 | 12:20:04 307 words, 5832 views  

With Annika Sorenstam turning over the defending Swedish team to Carin Koch and Helen Alfredsson and only a few recognizable names on the leaderboard of this week’s Women’s World Cup of Golf, it seems very “American” of me to predict an easy victory for the team of Juli Inkster and Pat Hurst. With many of the golf writers in cyberspace making predictions, why shouldn’t I?

The two stalwarts have a combined thirty-six wins on the LPGA Tour and a terrific 2006 season behind them. Inkster came away with twelve top-tens and Hurst almost grabbed the U.S. Women’s Open trophy but Annika Sorenstam claimed an easy victory during an 18-hole playoff the following day.

I’ve noticed Inkster strengthens her resolve as she plays more rounds but Hurst could be the weak link in the twosome.

In comes “tour sophomore” Julieta Granada, a youthful surprise from Paraguay, who catapulted herself into the spotlight with a $1 million win at the season-ending ADT Championship. She and playing partner (former Futures Tour golfer) Celeste Troche will have to be on their toes this weekend as the rest of the field, which also includes the incomparable Laura Davies, will all be looking to start the LET season off quickly.

Although the first official event on the LPGA Tour doesn’t launch until the ladies head out to Hawaii for the SBS Open, this certainly is a good warm-up and should get their juices flowing.

Michelle Wie will be in attendance at the SBS Open in Hawaii, attempting to make a statement to the naysayers who believe she’s just a flash in the pan. We’ll see if she can compete in the LPGA instead of just preening for the cameras as she did at the Sony Open.

Catch the Women’s World Cup of Golf January 19th-21st on The Golf Channel. Check your local listings.

Permalink 12 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stacy and Barry,

Was your remark 'Michelle Wie will be in ATTENDANCE at he SBC" a Freudian slip? Shouldn't you have said "She will be competing at the SBC?

The way that her game has gone to pieces, I'm not at all sure she will be a factor in that event.

Several posters on these boards have noticed that Bubbles has undergone a "growth spurt" and not all of them are referring to height. But she shouldn't let that discourage her any further, Pat Hurst has done all right as a wide body.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-17 @ 14:45
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
Perhaps it was a Freudian slip Alex, lol.

I'm hoping that she will be a factor at the SBC. Wie really has what it takes to be a successful LPGA golfer but I don't think that's where she wants to be.

Bubbles needs to get a win under her belt. Remember how Lorena Ochoa was before she won? After that first taste of success, she became unstoppable.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-17 @ 16:40
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stacy,

If you need a few laughs, look up some of the ludicrous predictions some of Bubbles' fans made for her in the last couple of years.

Some of them had her making it through the PGA"Q" school, winning enough on exemptions in PGA events to get her tour card, even winning on the big tour and challenging in majors.

She had better be satisfied with being competitivewith the women.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-17 @ 19:40
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
I've watched Q-School before and I understand that you have to be really on your toes to get through it.

And, yes, I've seen some of those predictions. Unfortunately, people like to "will" Michelle Wie, using their minds and their pens, to win a tournament. Unfortunately, it will take alot more than that.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-18 @ 13:57
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex,
You asked on another thread if my opinions had changed.

Nope, the general opinions have not changed.
I still think that Michelle Wie will gain a pga tour card. However if you read any posts properly, you would have realised that those predictions were made for when she was well into her twenties.

You can check back if you want to check the exact age I predicted. I think it was between 26 and 28, but it's obvious that you have plenty of time on your hands, so perhaps you won't mind going back through a few thousand posts to find the answer.

The thing about Wie is that apart from her driving at the Sony Open, the rest of her game had improved. She played with close to a pga tour standard short game. She putted well and she hit the ball really well from awkward situations. She also showed that even though things were against her, she kept grinding it out.

While you look at the scoring Alex, and don't have the capacity to look at anything beyond that, some other people do actually know about golf.

Her overall game has improved, and Michelle finding fairways should win plenty of lpga events.

Since you are often asking for predictions Alex, a prediction:
- Michelle Wie will win on the lpga tour in 2007. That is a prediction.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-18 @ 18:14
Comment from: bad joke [Visitor]
I predict Michelle will gain more "Muscle" weight.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-18 @ 22:09
Comment from: Trevor Stevens [Visitor]
If Wie wins a LPGA this year:

1) The Wie fans will have a parade down Honolulu and declare a state holiday

2) The Wie detractors will shrug and say 'So what?'

At the end of the day, the Wie fans will find something positive no matter what, whilst the Wie haters will continue to nick pick on her no matter what she achieves.

Just look at all the Tiger haters out there. They will always find something about Woods to criticize.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-19 @ 09:26
Comment from: bad joke [Visitor]
Trevor's definitely right about #1

The Mayor of Honolulu has already declaired a "Tadd Fujikawa Day"

seriously º_º

read the second paragraph:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2007-01-17-fujikawa_x.htm?csp=34
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-19 @ 14:24
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
Does Honolulu already have a Michelle Wie day?

Tadd will probably become a golf superstar quietly and with dignity, no circus needed.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-19 @ 15:01
Comment from: Baby Blue Eyes [Visitor]
Moms have been right all along:

Put a hat on when you go outdoor, all those sun will fry your brain if not protected....

I think that's what happened to Hawaiians....
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-19 @ 15:05
Comment from: Ford [Visitor]
I just had a Norman sighting on another blog. He was up to his old tricks; calling all of us that just focus on Michelle's scoring shortsighted(silly me I thought they counted strokes for a reason). Her game according to Norman is actually PGA tour ready, except , of course for the problem of hitting fairways, being last in driving distance and next to last in greens in regulation. Her once in a lifetime scrambling and putting numbers this week prove this according to the great unemployed golfer. Last year Norman and others were obsessing over her overall driving distance and accuracy as indicators of her imminent success on the PGA tour, it was her putting that kept keeping her down. Now, like Ghet Rheel, Norman is claiming that the teen pheonom will actually hit her stride in another decade or so--Wie warriors worldwide be patient the promise that Michelle showed at 12 was nothing to what you will see in 2007. Don't believe your eyes, the obvious regression you are seeing in her game is just an illusion, she is actually improving according to Norman. Michelle Wie is a classic example of too much too soon. She was paid on potential that will never be realized, the sooner her fans see this the better off we will all be--We should go back to rewarding people for achievement and substance rather than simply style.

Oh yeah, one more thing, girl is fat!
PermalinkPermalink 2007-01-19 @ 15:41
Comment from: realarcade [Visitor] · http://www.xn--spermario-q9a.com
Very nice article. Thanks...
PermalinkPermalink 2009-02-28 @ 04:09

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be displayed on this site.
Your URL will be displayed.

Allowed XHTML tags: <p, ul, ol, li, dl, dt, dd, address, blockquote, ins, del, span, bdo, br, em, strong, dfn, code, samp, kdb, var, cite, abbr, acronym, q, sub, sup, tt, i, b, big, small>. Bloggers reserve the right to edit or delete comments. Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Set cookies for name, email and url)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will NOT be displayed.))
Grass is green. What color is grass?

Golf for Beginners Golf for Beginners


...because we're always learning

WorldGolf.com's Golf for Beginners podcast features golf tips and advice from tour pros and experts. Hosts Stacy and Barry blend personal anecdotes with tips on equipment and instruction from tour professionals and magazines in this weekly podcast.

Get 100's of our easy Golf Tips by Email! Over 52 FREE archived Podcasts!! Equipment and training aid reviews, interviews, news and more, delivered to your mailbox, FREE!
Your Name:
:

Powered by GetResponse email marketing software