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Michelle Wie has a lot to learn about winning says Kathy Whitworth

Thursday March 29, 2007 | 11:03:40 423 words, 10940 views  

In a recent interview with ESPN.com, LPGA career-win leader Kathy Whitworth was given a chance to air her feelings about rising star Michelle Wie. Since she is no longer considered a “threat” at this year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship, how many people will follow the LPGA or be interested in it’s superstars (past or present) if Wie’s name is not mentioned?

Speaking candidly about Michelle Wie’s constant interest in playing men’s tournaments, Ms. Whitworth said,

“I don’t think in the long run it’s going to be good for her. I feel like at some point, for her sake, she needs to place herself in a competition where she is expected to win. There’s a different mind-set. She will tell you, ‘Well, I don’t feel any pressure,’ because she doesn’t expect to win. There’s a big difference when you are expecting yourself to win and you feel like you should win. That’s where you learn about yourself and how you handle pressure. As far as I can see, she hasn’t put herself there.”

Kathy Whitworth is correct in both her assessment of Michelle Wie as well as the mindset of a winner versus a contender. Wie has not yet made the commitment to win and, until she does, she will always come in second, third or worse, with “injuries” and “heat exhaustion” plaguing her every move.

Naturally, Dana Gross-Rhode, over at interview headquarters, tried to push the button of Lorena Ochoa in pre-round talks asking, “This is the first major that Michelle has not played in several years. Does it detract from the tournament that she’s not playing?”

Handling the question with aplomb, Ochoa sympathetically stated that Wie could probably use the rest and “she will be here sooner or later and playing really good, so we’ll wait for her.”

While the world is waiting for Michelle Wie to make a grand re-entrance, all the LPGA can do is move forward, hoping that Wie will make a smart decision, join their forces and make a name for herself bringing new hope to a flagging tour.

P.S. For those people who will be watching the Kraft Nabisco in person, don’t forget that this tournament also coincides with the annual
Dinah Shore Week, the most frolicky Lesbian and Gay party on the West Coast. The event has grown immensely since 2005 with this year’s talent including Carmen Electra, Sandra Bernhard as well as numerous actors and tons of parties. Given a choice between the Kraft Nabisco and Dinah Shore week, which one would you rather attend?

Permalink 159 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Stacy,
As you probably would have come to expect, I don't agree with your blog, but it is at least written with some intelligence and thought out points attached to it, which is a long way away from some of the other blog writers, and there really isn't any malice in the blog either, just reasoned points, which is refreshing for the website.

As regards, putting herself where she would expect to win, it could be argued that many of the lpga players don't expect to win on the lpga tour, yet they still play there. When Michelle plays lpga events, she probably has expectations of winning that event, moreso than most of the field.

She has also come very close to winning. In my opinion, if Michelle were to not win in 2007, then she should join the lpga tour and completely dedicate herself to womens golf until she won a title. I do expect Michelle to win in 2007 on the lpga tour.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 15:07
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

Let me see if I understand your pretzel logic.

You expect Bubbles to win on the LPGA tour in 2007.

But if she doesn't win an LPGA event in 2007, thereby rendering your prediction incorrect, she should join the LPGA, presumably in 2008, and completely dedicate herself to the LPGA UNTIL she wins a title.

When and if she eventually wins an event on the LPGA tour after joining the tour fulltime, what would you propose that she do then?

Should Bubbles then resume her failures on the PGA tour? Should she petition the Masters' committee fort an exemption to Augusta? What?
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 16:48
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
correction: for
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 16:50
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
Stanley,

First, thank you for the compliment on our blog. We try to comment on golf, not just report about it.

I do not completely agree with your statement, "many of the lpga players don't expect to win on the lpga tour, yet they still play there." All of these women have won at some time in their past experience in order to achieve this level of golf.

The newer players on tour are more determined to win than those who have been on the tour without success for many years.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 17:16
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Alex,
In my opinion Michelle will win in 2007. However if she were not to win, then the status quo of 8 more lpga tournaments in 2008 would be a bad idea in my opinion.

Not winning up to 18 years old is perfectly fine, and to win before that would be historic, but if she hasn't won by then, in that case, it would be my opinion that she should knuckle down to a good stretch of golf on womens tours in order to give herself a better chance of winning.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 17:29
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Stacy,
The women on the lpga tour need not have won. If they get within the top 20 or whatever number it is at q-school, then they qualify for the tour. They may or may not have won before that.

Even if they have won many titles, take Morgan Pressel as an example, winning at lpga level is a different thing, and they will then try to learn to win at lpga level, like Morgan is trying to do.

In any case Michelle has played the maximum lpga exemptions that she has been allowed to play as a 15 and 16 year old. What more could she do apart from petition early, and there really is no reason for her to bother petitioning early, only 2 other people have done that successfully before.

You could argue that instead of playing the mens events, she could have played some foreign womens events. If that's your point, I would also like her to play maybe some Ladies European Tour events, and I think that would be good for her and good for those events.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 17:36
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
I want to point out that I expressed a similar sentiment about Bubbles a long time ago. Stanley probably isn't aware of this, as he either wasn't frequenting these blogs at the time or was on a bender. What I said, however, is I believe that Bubbles' aspirations are designed to provide a built-in excuse.

I think that she fears pressure, and her way of dealing with this frailty is to ensure that she never truly puts herself on the line. If it's a PGA event, then, well, hey, she's no supposed to win because she's a girl; ergo, there's little pressure. And as far as the women's tour goes, she has the same benefit to some degree because she's not a full-time player.

This is why I wouldn't be surprised if Bubbles does pursue her Ph.D. After all, the last thing she wants to do is fail as a full-time player.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-29 @ 18:58
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Ph.D.???? She won't make it past Sophmore.......
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 05:37
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
As much as I respect Kathy Whitworth's game, she was in her third full year on tour when she won her first LPGA event and it was during her eighth full year on tour when she won her first Major championship.

I think Michelle might be a little ahead of schedule compared to when Kathy began winning at age 25. Well I guess we do have seven and a half years to find out.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 06:04
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Ph.D.???? She won't make it past Sophmore....... "

Coming from the same group of dour old men who said she would never be able to enter into Stanford in the first place?

Your credibility and insight are sorely lacking along with your spelling skills.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 06:10
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
One-Putt has just upped the ante from that of fellow Wie-wee GhetRheel. Now we'll have to wait until Bubbles hits twenty-five to see if she can win anything.

It seems like the Wie Warriors are lowering the bar even more each month. Two years ago, according to their rosy predictions, Bubbles was supposed to already be a multiple major winner on the LPGA tour. Tell me, Wie-wee's, what happened?

The best one yet is that Bubbles is ahead of Kathy in anything but hype.

As I have previously said, I really look forward to the day when Bubbles wins something, anything.

If the Wie-men have such glowing praise for someone whose game has been in the tank for about eight months, and who hasn't even played any competitive golf for months, what will they do if she ever gets off the schneid?
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 06:50
Comment from: Oneunder [Visitor] · http://www.thewiewatch.com
KW knows alot about winning, but I really think MW thinks she can win on the PGA and expects to win on the PGA tour
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 07:10
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Oneunder,

I don't know where you get your information or how you arrived at those conclusions, but if Bubbles believes that she can win on the PGA tour and expects to win on the PGA tour, sh needs to get off the LSD and the absinthe and go into rehab.

And if you share here beliefs, then you also need detoxification. Hallucinogens are definitely harmful.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 07:38
Comment from: Matthew [Visitor]
Judge Smails,
Why are you gone back to golf talk, the butt talk was much more interesting. Speaking of butts, did you happen to watch Serena Williams in the tennis at Miami. There is one large butt on display, too big in my opinion. As you said yourself, Creamer and Wie have much nicer butts. Anyway, she won her match by the way, but Justine Henin will give her a good pasting in the final. Come on Justine, do it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 08:01
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Matthew,

Unlike some guys here, I understand that a man shouldn't be governed by glands below the waist. Of course, if asked, I would say that Creamer was a nicely put together young gal, but I also know that what's on the inside is more important.

No, I didn't watch Serena Williams; if I wanted to see such things I'd read National Geographic.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 13:53
Comment from: Matthew [Visitor]
Judge. What's on the inside counts more. Ya right! How politically correct.

You are right about Creamer though, she is built very well indeed. If she had a face as good as Wie's, she could have endorsements from all directions.

That's something that just isn't fair in the golf thing. Sure Wie has some game, but the game she has shown does not match the endorsements. What fills the gap between game and endorsement size?
Looks, simple as that. If Creamer or Pressel were as good looking as Wie, they could hugely raise their endorsements.

That's golf though. It isn't always fair. At least they are all well paid anyway.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 17:09
Comment from: Larue [Visitor]
I believe that correct word is "sophomore."
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 18:06
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Attention all posters!

Know ye by these presents that Larue is now officially the the resident Chief of Spelling Police.

He knows how to spell "sophomore" and maybe a lot more words.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 18:24
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
One-Putt has just upped the ante from that of fellow Wie-wee GhetRheel. Now we'll have to wait until Bubbles hits twenty-five to see if she can win anything.

It seems like the Wie Warriors are lowering the bar even more each month. Two years ago, according to their rosy predictions, Bubbles was supposed to already be a multiple major winner on the LPGA tour. Tell me, Wie-wee's, what happened?

The best one yet is that Bubbles is ahead of Kathy in anything but hype.

As I have previously said, I really look forward to the day when Bubbles wins something, anything.

If the Wie-men have such glowing praise for someone whose game has been in the tank for about eight months, and who hasn't even played any competitive golf for months, what will they do if she ever gets off the schneid?"

OK Smart Guy Alex, I will go way out on a limb and predict for 2007 Michelle Wie will.....................................................................................

PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 19:15
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
That is better, I changed the batteries in my keyboard. Now I can type faster.

PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 19:18
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails,

As far as Bubbles pursuing a PhD, she said that she might take eight years to get a Bachelor's degree, so at that rate she'll pass the big three-o before she gets a PhD.

I'd be willing to bet that she'll win the Grand Slam on the PGA tour before she gets a PhD
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 19:41
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails,

As far as Bubbles pursuing a PhD, she said that she might take eight years to get a Bachelor's degree, so at that rate she'll pass the big three-o before she gets a PhD.

I'd be willing to bet that she'll win the Grand Slam on the PGA tour before she gets a PhD
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-30 @ 19:44
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Alex we got it the first time. It wasn't that good that you had to post it twice.

PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 02:35
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
One-Putt,

Yes, maybe Stacy will get around to deleting one ot them.

O-P, I'm all for encouraging young people to excel, to "shoot for the stars", to be all that they can be.

But when some of you Wie-wee's write confidently of Bubbles winning the LPGA grand slam, winning on the PGA tour, playing in the Masters',and becoming a billionaire, all this while studying intently to acquire a Doctorate, it becomes laughable,
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 09:00
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
One-Putt,
Alex gets impatient when Judge Smails doesn't reply to him straight away, hence the double posting.

Alex, I also doubt that Michelle will get a PHD. When has such a talented golfer bothered with that.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 09:03
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

Cary Middlecoff and Gil Morgan, both multiple winners on the PGA tour, were both doctors.

But since you are the consummate Wie-wee, winning doesn't matter much to you.

What is it you prize so much, style over substance?
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 10:01
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Matthew,

There's nothing politically correct about what I said at all; in fact, the leftists, the authors of pcness, treasure superficiality above all else. I love beautiful young women as much as the next guy, but I also know that just as with someone who marries for money, a man who marries for appearance will "earn it."

Alex,

Well, then perhaps Bubbles plans on completing her Ph.D. when she's about fifty; then she can start talking about how she wants to win on the Champions Tour.

I'll tell you one thing, even if she does forge on ahead to a doctoral degree, don't expect it to be in physics or chemistry. I'm thinking more like social work or education, those "Mrs." degrees the eggheads invented to encourage women to spend more money on higher edumecation and to help the mediocre feel like intellectuals.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 12:33
Comment from: Matthew [Visitor]
Judge,
Did you watch any of the 2nd round coverage?
Or did any of the rest of you watch any of it?

The girl in the lead Shi Hyun Ahn. There is one beautiful woman, and she is also confident, calm, and very graceful in the way she moves about the course. It's as if nothing would upset her and her game.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 13:11
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
Are any of you watching the Kraft Nabisco Championship, or watching the leaderboard more precisely?

Paula Creamer birdied the first hole in the third round to hit the front. Paula has picked the perfect time to hit form. The Grand Slam may well be on for Paula. Lorena is just an overhyped wannabe. Move over for The Pink Panther. Major number 1 on the way.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 13:14
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
2 birdies from 2 holes.
The grand slam is beckoning.
When will Chris Baldwin start a thread. Perhaps he will wait til after the Kraft. Yes that would be better, a celebration blog.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 13:28
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Ronnie,

I predicted on another thread that Paula's 67 would bring you out of hiding, and you didn't disappoint.

I'm not sure who is more out of touch with reality, you or the Wie-wee's.

Lorena is an overhyped wannabe? Yes Ronnie, with ten LPGA victories.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 13:29
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Oops, bogey on hole 3 for the Pink Panther.
Ronnie, was that part of the script?

There are several class players in contention. Lorena & Susan Pettersen are very good. Then there is Se Ri Pak who has lots of experience as well as game.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 13:44
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Do you suppose that Kathy Whitworth would criticize players for practicing--since there is no pressure to win when a player is only practicing?

What about Nancy Lopez? Why doesn't Kathy Whitworth criticize Nancy Lopez for playing in the Ginn Open next week instead of on the Legends Tour where she might be expected to win?

Even though Nancy Lopez has no chance to win, and might be a longshot to make the cut at the Ginn, my guess is that there will be a lot more pressure on Nancy Lopez than there was on Kathy Whitworth in her recent Legends win. No one was saying that Kathy's reputation was at stake when she played the Legends--but there are some who say that Nancy's reputation is at stake with her LPGA comeback. And that is the type of pressure that Michelle Wie faces almost every time she plays.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 14:39
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Jim C,

You've posted some very disoriented and nonsensical things in the past, but even by your lofty standards,
your last post is a masterpiece of incomprehensibility and convolution.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 15:13
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
One-Putt,
Alex gets impatient when Judge Smails doesn't reply to him straight away, hence the double posting.

Alex, I also doubt that Michelle will get a PHD. When has such a talented golfer bothered with that."

I take Michelle at her word, one of her dreams was to attend Stanford, the other was to earn a Ph.D like her father.

Everyone believes Michelle's world revolves around golf. That is everyone except Michelle who thinks of golf as just a game.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 15:28
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
Did you watch Lorena getting a quad bogey?
She is out of contention.

Paula is in the lead and still on to get the first part of the grand slam.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 17:44
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
What Michelle Wie did playing against men is pretty much the same thing Kathy Whitworth did turning pro before she was really ready. It would have cost a lot for Michelle Wie to play in amateur events in the continental US and earlier it would have cost a lot for Kathy Whitworth to go out east from New Mexico to play in the major amateur events of the time. Her first year on the LPGA Kathy had a miserable 80.30 scoring average. Kathy Whitworth was apparently never in contention as a 19 year old and she went on to win 88n pro events. What is the big problem if Michelle Wie is out of contention in a few mens' events each year as a 15, 16 ans 17 year old?

Right now Michelle Wie is coming off a few poor performances. The best thing she can do right now is to prepare as well as she can, and believe in herself and her ability to win--at least against the women. Suggesting that there is a mind set that a player needs to win, and that Michelle Wie does not have this mend set is very much the same thing that baseball fans do when they try to instill doubts in the minds of opposing players.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 17:47
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Ronnie. You would be right about Lorena being out of contention if this were a 3 round tournament. But it is 4 rounds. Lorena could still win if she puts up a great round tomorrow and no one ahead of her does enough to hold her off.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 18:00
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

According to the announcer on the Golf Channel, Bubbles won't be teeing it up at the Ginn Open.

She just isn't ready yet.

One-Putt, it looks like golf isn't even a game to Bubbles anymore.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 19:28
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Jim C,

Try as I might, I can't make head nor tail of your last post.

It is even more disconnected than your previous one.

Exactly what us the gist of it? What are you attempting to prove?

To most sane people, mentioning winless Bubbles in the same breath with Kathy, Hall of Famer with 88 wins seems a bit incongruous
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 21:14
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

According to the announcer on the Golf Channel, Bubbles won't be teeing it up at the Ginn Open.

She just isn't ready yet.

One-Putt, it looks like golf isn't even a game to Bubbles anymore."

All and all she gets to finish up the year with her classmates.

cBS wrote that she was recovering from a "broken" wrist and would skip the Ginn. It makes me wonder if they were reading the NY Times or that Michelle's wrist was actually broken.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-03-31 @ 23:32
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Wie isn't playing because she isn't playing the Ginn Open because she wouldn't be ready to play in it.

You are trying to turn that into some convoluted point, but it very confusing as to what you are incinuating. You earlier accused Jim of being disconnected in him posting. What does that make you then?

Wie will play when her wrist is fully recovered and ready to play tournament golf. It's not that complicated really.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 11:25
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
One-Putt,

Bubbles' wrist wasn't broken, and whatever the problem, it should have been healed by now.

The only things that Bubbles has that are "broken" are her desire to compete and her spirit

Will she get them back? We'll have to wait and see. But she is a teenage girl, and those of us who have raised three of these wonderful creatures know that being fickle is thie strong (or is it weak?) suit
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 11:30
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
I suspect that Michelle Wie won't be playing in the Ginn Open because she never intended to do so. This year there is a Ginn Tribute as well as a Ginn Open and the Ginn Tribute is one week before the LPGA Championship. I wouldn't be surprised if reporters got the two confused.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 11:49
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Jim C,

You are quite correct when you say that Bubbles never intended to play in the Ginn Open.

By the way, the Ginn Open is being played April 12-15, 2007 at Reunion, Florida.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 12:01
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Alex,
What benefit do you get from making things up?
The girl got an injury and didn't play some events due to the injury. The other things are just your overactive imagination.
Try to leave out the hallucinations and the conspiracy theories, and you might get out of that hospital sooner than you think. They need space in those centres badly, so they even let out some pretty f*d up freaks as long as there are others who are worse off. So please just try to feign sanity and you can get out before you know it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 12:34
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
Stanley
Alex and sanity in the same post?
*gasp*
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 12:49
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

What was the nature of her injury?

When did it happen? How did it happen? Where did it happen?

These are simple questions, Big Stan.

Since you are in the "golf business" and are thereby privy to a lot of inside information, you SHOULD have the answers.

And Stanley, kindly dispense with the half-assed insults. You're not that clever, and besides, you wouldn't want to be subjected to any Irish jokes, now would ye?
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 12:51
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
putt4par,

Welcome back from your rehab!

I came across a blog by Stacy from April 19, 2006. You had a good number of post in it, all in adulation for Bubbles.

If you can find it, there is a lot of really entertaining fantasy put forth by you Wie-wee's

All this present Wie Warrior nonsense is just a tired rehashing .
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 12:58
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
**********************************************
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
putt4par,

Welcome back from your rehab!

I came across a blog by Stacy from April 19, 2006. You had a good number of post in it, all in adulation for Bubbles.

If you can find it, there is a lot of really entertaining fantasy put forth by you Wie-wee's

All this present Wie Warrior nonsense is just a tired rehashing .
*******************************************
Post the adulation, Bud.
You are big on insinuation and short on fact as always, old spud.

You still come across as a hormonal 15 year old. The rehashing is mostly on your part. Same old tired bs, same old tired Alex?
Time for you to find something more comforting in your old age, ROFL.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 13:41
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Alex, take the banter in good jest.

By the way, Paula is making a move at the Kraft Nabisco. 3 bogeys in 5 holes is certainly making a move on that leaderboard.

Pak is probably well on her way to the title.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 14:03
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
It's become obvious that Creamer has a problem closing the deal on big stages as well. However, until she starts shooting her mouth off about how she wants to beat the boys and a group of fawning acolytes known as "Creamer Crazies" rallies to her defense, I'll have no problem with her. She is comporting herself like a lady and is playing where she should. Moreover, she has earned what she has received.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 14:24
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
Judge,
If Creamer could just hang in there, then she could fluke something. For example Wie could have easily fluked the chip in the 2006 Kraft and have been the outright winner.
Another example is where Creamer fluked a long putt at the SBS Open. But what happened for her to fluke that putt? She stayed in contention, that's the key. She could not have had that luck without staying in contention.

Creamer does contend sometimes in normal tour events, but as Judge said, she just hasn't stayed in contention at a major long enough to even give herself a chance of getting lucky.

Ochoa has proved to find it hard on the big stage as well. Her play at hole 17 in round 3 typlified that.

Majors are a different ball game. It's like there is normal golf tournaments and then there are majors. Se Ri Pak is a major performer.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 14:56
Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
I knew that Morgan Pressel would eventually win an LPGA event but I'm even happier that it was the at the Kraft Nabisco, the first major of 2007!!

Congratulations Morgan...now, let's see a Wie-Pressel matchup!
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 18:13
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Sorry but I agree with Alex. Having watched the standard of play at the Kraft Nabisco, it was horrendous. The lpga tour hit a new low.

Suzann Pettersen, what were you at?
Se Ri Pak, 5 time major winner, what were you at?
Paula Creamer, what were you at?
Stacy Pramanasudh, recent winner, what were you at?
Catriona Matthew, 3 putts from there, what were you at?

Maybe Alex was right about the standard of play on the lpga tour. Lets call a spade a spade, that was just dreadful stuff.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 18:39
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Now, now, Stanley, let us not be petty.

In line with the title of this blog, Bubbles has a lot to learn about winning.

And now, she can respectfully ask for that information from Morgan Pressel, the youngest golfer to ever win a major on any tour.

The sound of Wie Warrior heads exploding has reached a deafening roar.

My advice to you Wie Warriors is to put down the cyanide capsules, drop the .357 Magnum, throw away that hangman's noose. It isn't worth it.

If you guys are the Wie-wee's you purport to be, you will learn to realize that this is only the beginning.

An old story goes that a certain sad sack had a pretty bad day. His buddy told him to cheer up, things could be worse. So he cheered up and, sure enough, things got worse.

Stanley,

Thamks for your epiphany and your support. Better late than never.

One slight correction. I know that you're upset, but one of the cardinal rules of grammar is never to end a sentence with a preposition.

It is awkward at times to avoid it, but you did it five times in your last post.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 19:22
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Johnny N,

It took a lot, bit you've convinced me.

Majors are the true test of a golfer's determination.

And now, the much-maligned Morgan Pressel has don the mantel of greatness as the youngest golfer to win a major on any tour.

Wie-wee's, I challenge you to bestow upon Morgan your unqualified congratulations.

I don't believe you Wie Warriors got the moxie.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 19:38
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Congratulations Morgan Pressel.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-01 @ 20:14
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Before any trivia nerds junp on my case, Morgan is not the youngest golfer to ever win a major.

Young Tom Morris won the Open in 1868 at age 17.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 08:05
Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]
Pretzel back-doored the win like Ogilvy last year at the US Open - nicely done.

I predict Wie will have to write refund checks to all her sponsors this year. And by next year, she will be out of golf all together.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 09:23
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
Kathy Whitworth may know a lot about winning--but she has to be the worst golf coach in the world if she thinks that telling a player who is in a slump to put more pressuire on herself to win is helpful advice. What Michelle Wie should do is just forget about winnning. She should focus on the fundamentals of her own game and just tune out things she cannot control like how well other golfers are doing.

Of course I my be wrong. If there is someone out there who believes a player in a slump should put more pressure on herself to win--please let us know, and if you can, explain why that would be a good idea.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 11:07
Comment from: 2under [Visitor]
Jim,

The education of winning comes with managing pressure. So it is the best advice that can be given. The pressure of winning needs to come with participation in the right level of play - and that is the LPGA.
Expectations are what need to be managed with Wie. Stop the insanity with the PGA "make the cut" roadshow. focus on the LPGA, get yourself in the pressure situations of winning, learn to deal with the pressure, and learn to win.
As someone pointed out earlier, it took years for Kathy to learn how to win, and the only way she did it was by getting herself in the mix, feeling the pressure, and learning how to overcome it. Smart lady, that Kathy Whitworth...
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 11:35
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
Morgan Pressel could not possibily teach anyone about winning. All she did was post a leading clubhouse score. Wie has done the same at other tournaments. Unfortunately for Wie, her fellow competitors actually played half decent golf down the stretch and didn't hand her the present that Pressel was handed.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 12:07
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
So Miss Piggy won it then.
Better than Wiener winning it anyway.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 12:08
Comment from: How's that crow taste? [Visitor]
Johnny--Maybe my memory is a little fuzzy, but I seem to recall Michelle needing only a fairly routine up and down for birdie on 18 last year to make it into a playoff, of course she slightly bladed her chip and missed the 10 footer coming back. All Morgan did was make a clutch birdie putt on 18 to post what would turn out to be the winning score. You tell me who knows a thing or two about winning now, spin it however you like, but the fact is that Morgan is now a proven winner on the LPGA while Michelle's win total still sits at 0.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 12:36
Comment from: Tour Velvet [Visitor]
You are right Johnny N. what would an 11-time AJGA tournament winner, Women's Amateur winner and now LPGA major winner possibly know about winning.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 12:52
Comment from: Stacy Solomon [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
Morgan had a great round on Sunday and everyone around her fell apart under the pressure. She kept her cool and won...simple as that. Whether the win came from others not handling the pressure or whatever excuse is given, it was Morgan Pressel who posted the best overall score and held up the trophy.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 13:34
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
The fact is that Morgan posted a score that wasn't even worthy of a playoff. Wie has done just the same. She posted the clubhouse score in numerous tournaments, and sometimes it was just one shot off the lead. That wouldn't have been a lot to ask for the leaders to mess up. In Wie's case the leaders just played decent golf and stayed the shot ahead of her.

In Pressels case, it was like there was a major charity going on.

Since Alex mentioned how Wie missed a birdie putt to get in a playoff in 2006, maybe Alex might like to note, that Wie played against Lorena and Karrie who both eagled the last hole, to get one shot ahead of her.
In 2007, for whatever reason the leaders completely crumbled and handed the title to an undeserving Pressel. Pressel did not show that she knows what it takes to win. All she did was a post a score worthy of 2nd and then accepted a gift from a player who was 3 strokes ahead of Pressel when she posted that score.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:06
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Whether or not Pretzel knows how to win, one thing is for sure: The Bubbles doesn't. LOL.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:34
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
Bubbles is Big Miss Piggy.
Pressel is Little Miss Piggy.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:37
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Johnny N,

Your take on the Kraft is that Morgan posted a round good for second, and that the rest of the field handed her the win .

Wrong! Morgan knew what it would take and swept to victory.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:45
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
Wow Alex, that Morgan must be some sort of a genius if she knew Catriona Matthew would 3 putt from 15 feet on 18, and that both Pettersena and Pak would go +4 over holes 15 to 18. Is that Pressel some sort of genius at predictions?
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:51
Comment from: Morgan Pressel [Visitor]
I'd like to thank the fans first and foremost, your support and love really gave me strength to play well.
I'd like to thank the organisers for putting on such a great event.
Mostly though, I'd like to thank Catherina Matthew, Brittany Lincicome and Se Ri Pak for very great help along the way, and the biggest thank you goes to Suzann Pettersen, who had the trophy in her hands but decided she would give it to me instead. Many thanks to Suzann, and again thanks to the fans for the love.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 14:54
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Joynny N,

You've got it right. Morgan KNEW what it would take and did it.

Herb Krickstein predicted it and it came rue.
This is the stuff of which greatness is made.

Johnny N, Morgan is performing the things that will re-write history. Sit back and enjoy it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 15:14
Comment from: Mr. Wonderful [Visitor]
Hey Beginners...

Did you guys learn anything from the other 74 posts? Want hits, just mention Michelle. You don't need to write about anything else, instruction, equipment, nothing, just start a a blog with Michelle.

Nothing else is needed... You'll be the number one site on the map...

Mr. Wonderful
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 15:54
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
I disagree with those that say this win was handed to Morgan.
She had to play well enough to put herself in position to win.
She can only ever play her own game, what others do is out of her control.

Don't try to take anything away from her, she WON!
Congratulations Morgan ! Damn fine display of keeping your cool, kid.
Kind of makes up for the flukey eagle Birdie Kim made 2 years ago.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 16:34
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
putt4par,
Morgan played well to get herself in contention just as Michelle played well to get herself into contention at the 2006 Kraft Nabisco. There was a big difference though.
In 2006, Michelle's fellow competitors Webb and Ochoa eagled 18, and in 2007 Morgan's fellow competitors played very poorly down the stretch.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 17:37
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
Yes, there was a big difference. Morgan is holding the check, all else is immaterial.

In 2005, Birdie Kim was holding the trophy after what many considered a huge lucky break.

Bottom line was still a picture of Birdie Kim holding the Trophy and the check.This time, Morgan was holding the winning combination.

What any other player failed to do means absolutely nothing. Michelle Wie had exactly the same chances of anyone crumbling on the final 9 holes in 2006, -the fact the no one did is immaterial. It's called luck or being in the right place at the right time or in this case, Morgan played better than anyone else on Sunday. End of story.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 17:47
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
According to Kathy Whitworth, Michelle Wie should put herself in a competition where she is expected/expects to win. But Michelle Wie has never won on the LPGA. She is 19th in the world, and most of the higher ranked players will be in any LPGA event she plays. Added to that is the fact that she is in a slump.

Wouldn't it make sense for Michelle Wie to join a tour like the LET where there will be events where she would be expected to win--with the bonus that there are not the restrictions that come with LPGA membership. She could play in events where she is really expected to win, and then mix in other events as well.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 17:51
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
putt4par,

You got it right except for the part about it being luck.

Luck had nothing to do with it.

It took skill, tenacity and fortitude for Morgan to close the deal.

She is now a US Women's Amateur champion, and and the youngest winner of a major on the LPGA tour in history.

Wie Warriors, eat your hearts out.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 17:57
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]

Alex, Did you not understand what I wrote? Do you need glasses? Dyslexic maybe?
I believe I said "..in this case, Morgan played better than anyone else on Sunday. End of story. "

Also, old sock, there is always an element of luck in the game of golf. To say otherwise is to admit you are a fool.What are you admitting to, Alex?
Alex, you just have to show your prejudice and spin a story any way possible to mock Michelle Wie. Grow up man, you gain nothing with your continuous attacks on her. She hasn't played since early January and yet you keep attacking her. What do you gain?

Earlier you stated in a post that you raised 3 girls. I would be amazed if they are still talking to you with your attitude and prejudices against the opposite sex. Actually, I find it hard to believe that you are actually old enough to be a father.
Your verbal assaults on anyone and everyone in these blogs are very immature to say the least.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 18:25
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
putt4par

Sometimes you win and luck is not much of a factor. Sometimes you get lucky when you win. Sometimes you are unlucky when you lose--other times you're just not good enough. If you want to get a handle on how well a player is doing. it pays to look beyond just win or failing to win.

Your mention of Birdie Kim raises an interesting point. Will Morgan Pressel become another Birdie Kim? I would think not because in addition to her win this week, Morgan Pressel has several high finishes this year. That would suggest there will be more wins to follow--but there is still a question. Morgan Pressel had fallen below the radar before her strong start this year. Now the expectations on Morgan Pressel are likely to be higher and we will have to wait to see how she responds.


PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 19:28
Comment from: Matthew [Visitor]
Nobody won that tournament.
Plenty of people lost it, but nobody won it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 20:14
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
Jim C.
Actually, by inference I was suggesting there was some good luck/bad luck for Michelle last year.
I don't believe that you have heard the last of Morgan. She is very talented and will continue to win. Her continued presence in the top 10 or 20 says she isn't going away

As for this win by Morgan, yes Matthew she won that Title and no matter what your opinion, she managed to make a record that'll be hard to beat as well.

To suggest she didn't says you think you would have done better. Chances are pretty good that Pressel could kick your butt anytime in a game of golf. You have a bad case of Sour grapes my friend.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-02 @ 21:00
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
putt4par.
Morgan didn't put herself in a position to win. She just shot a score that would give her a decent top 5. Then the tournament was gifted to her by some very generous players.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-03 @ 07:49
Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]
Johnny N,

No matter how Morgan won it, the only thing that matters is that she WON. There will be no asterick next to her name in the history book.

PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-03 @ 08:37
Comment from: Stacy Solomon [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners
Now that Morgan Pressel has won she can probably handle everyone's expectations of her. It doesn't matter how she won, this major tournament was a real confidence booster for her.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-03 @ 10:55
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Stacy,
If Morgan is not a very intelligent person, then the win could be great for confidence.
What, you say? What do you mean?

Well Stacy, Paula Creamer choked away an event at the SBS Open, but she got a really lucky putt on hole 17 that pretty much gave her the title. People said that would give Creamer great confidence, but in an interview after, Paula was intelligent enough to admit that the putt was really lucky. If Paula had been less intelligent to realise the amount of luck involved in that putt, then maybe she would have been more confident at the Kraft Nabisco. Instead she recognised the luck and didn't gain the confidence she could have.

Morgan Pressel got even luckier at the Kraft Nabisco. When she posted that score, she probably let her mind wander and thought, if they really really mess up, that she just might, just might sneak into a playoff. Instead through a series of strange events Morgan won the title.

If Morgan is intelligent enough to realise that she just got lucky, then next time in contention and with a putt to win, she would still not know if she could make that putt knowing it was for the win.

However if Morgan is of little intelligence, then maybe she might be fooled into thinking that the Kraft was just pure skill on her part and indeed the +5 over 5 holes for Pettersen was just run of the mill stuff, then maybe Morgan can garner the lots of confidence from it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-03 @ 18:06
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails,

It seems that the Wie-wee's have become unglued

When the courageous and tenacious Morgan Pressel stole the thunder from their darling Bubbles, it must have been too much for them to bear.

We should probably allow them to lick their wounds so as to prevent any slitting of wrists.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-03 @ 22:40
Comment from: Bad Joke [Visitor]
They wont slit their wrists....

They'll just claim a wrist injury has prevented them from using the computer.

for four months...
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 03:58
Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]
Alex,

How did Pressel steal Bubble's thunder? Bubbles was not even at the event. Just let Morgan bask in the spotlight, she earned it.

By keep using Wie as a benchmark, it just seems like the Wie-detractors are still being haunted by Wie.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 08:53
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Oui,

You obviously don't know the meaning of the expression "to steal one's thunder."

Briefly, it means to take a goal or an idea thought to be the exclusive province of an individual, and turn it to the advantage of a rival.

When Tesla invented the alternating current. electric motor and thus revolutionized the electrical industry, he "stole Edison's thunder, which irritated TAE no end.

Similarly, Morgan has won a major, somethign that the Wie-wee's predicted longly and loudly would never happen. It sticks in their collective craw, which is evidenced by the sour grapes being spewed on these boards. Does Bubbles share these sour grapes? You can bet she does!

Finally, Oui, Bubbles is no longer the benchmark, if indeed she ever was. That significance belongs to Morgan, and to a lesser degree, Paula.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 10:42
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
edit: Morgan won a major before Bubbles.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 10:45
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Stacy,
You were proved right, when you said Morgan will gain confidence from the win. From her press conference it was evident that she thought she masterminded the whole collapse of the other players. Somewhere between knocking in that putt, which was 3 shots off the lead and obviously very little threat to the lead, and then vatching a Van de Velde style collapse, she somehow instilled in her own mind that she knew this would happen.

PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 11:17
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,

Bad Joke stole my thunder, but, yes, there is cause for worry because Wiemen seem to be very wrist oriented.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 11:59
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

If Morgan didn't KNOW she was going to win a MAJOR GOLF TOURNAMENT, she surely must have sensed it.

She started the final round FOUR strokes from the lead and swept to an easy win.

She probably figured that the rest of the field couldn't match her steady, inexorable play.

She didn't make a bogey in the final round when bogeys were all over the place.

The others didn't fold or choke. They just couldn't keep up with that miniature dynamo, Morgan "The Machine" Pressel.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 13:25
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Alex said:
She started the final round FOUR strokes from the lead and swept to an easy win.
_______________________


Lets just modify that line a little Alex.
She started the final round FOUR strokes from the lead and swept to being THREE strokes off the lead at the end of it.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 14:14
Comment from: Johnny N. [Visitor]
Judge Smails said:
Bad Joke stole my thunder, but, yes, there is cause for worry because Wiemen seem to be very wrist oriented.
________________________

Judge, it is you and Matthew who appear to be obsessed with discussing the gluteus maximus of a certain Miss Creamer. Maybe it's the anti-Wie men who are interested in wrist activities.
But that Judge is your own private business.
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 14:16
Comment from: bad joke [Visitor]
oops, sorry 'bout that :)
PermalinkPermalink 2007-04-04 @ 14:25
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Stanley,

I would appreciate your direct answers to a few very simple questions questions that require a minimum research.

Which female professional golfer finished first in the recently completed Kraft Nabisco Tournament?

Which female golfer finished the four rounds of the tournament in the fewest strokes?

Which female golfer had the best score in the final round?

Which female golfer now possesses the Kraft Nabisco Championship trophy?

And finally,