Michelle Wie is most likely not complaining after finishing even par after round one of the Women’s British Open along with a bevy of top contenders such as Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis (Annika Sorenstam is at -1). But is she holding true to her pre-tournament dialogue in which she stated, “I’ve seen … Tiger play here. He made the golf course seem like a real easy golf course. My goal is to play like him this week.”
Is Michelle Wie making St. Andrews look easy? She holed out from ten feet at the fourth and then made it to the green in two on the following par-five. I guess we can finally put to rest stories of her injured wrist!
But which Michelle Wie are we going to see this weekend? Is it the golfer who feels that she must withdraw because her round isn’t up to par or one who fights back and shows the world that she’s not a quitter?
After a sub-par Friday round at the Evian Masters last week, Michelle’s lackluster followup of 84 and 76 proves that she has much work to do to on the psychological front. However, in stark contrast to last week’s errors, Michelle is on the right track. She had a few wayward drives but saved par. That’s a solid beginning to a long week with many bunkers to overcome and average putts that are measured in yards, not feet!
With fans marching alongside of Wie with as much fervor as they do when Tiger Woods is in town, Michelle is still a phenomenon but must now show the world that she can win. That’s going to be quite a struggle with Ochoa in full control at the top of the leaderboard. Lorena made The Old Course look easy today!
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You can't be serious.
____
You are correct. The fact that she is getting better as her wrist strengthens should put to bed the doubters.
It has been obvious how her game has come along as her wrist has got stronger. One very bad round does not change the general positive direction of her game evidenced at the Evian Masters and continued through the first round of the British Open.
Michelle Wie is well on the road to recovery and that is great news for women's golf.
The people who were saying she couldn't break 80 and that she wasn't injured and it was just a confidence thing have got to be feeling really silly. Unless of course they believe that she found something in her game to give her much better form, & if they think that they are giving her credit that she wouldn't deserve.
Her game has got better as her wrist has got stronger.
A big well done to Michelle for sticking with it, putting up with a few bad scores, in order to strengthen that wrist and get her back on the parts of the leaderboards that suit her better.
She is a true competitor and a great role model.
It doesn't take much for Stanley to get all worked up about Bubbles, does it?
He seems to have forgotten that Bubbles was at even par after two rounds just last week at the Evian.
What I find entertaining is that to a fanatical Wiebot like Stanley, the fact that Bubbles is T21st and six shots out of the lead after one round is cause for unbridled rejoicing.
Judge, well said. When her Nike ball says 59 instead of 88, maybe she can think about throwing down with Johan Edfors and Joey Sindelar. Tiger will still be a loooong way up the ladder!
Michelle withdrew from the Ginn Tribute. She was injured, but I imagine she would have completed her round if she had not had the threat of a yearlong ban if she did not withdraw. As far as the Women's Open is concerned, you yourself on June 20 wrote an article saying she should drop out of the event because if the John Deere was too much for her, the same was true for the US Women's Open held earlier. Give her credit for being game enough to give it a try--and give yourself kudos for being right. That tough an event was too much for her with her injury.
Interesting link to the NY Times article.
The article mentions four young Americans as contenders starting with Morgan Pressel who shot a first round 80, but does not call Michelle Wie a contender.
Of course the article was written before the first round was played. But it is interesting to see Michelle Wie ignored as a possible contender in favor of a player who winds up shooting 7 shots worse than she does in the first round.
Ever sense Michelle dissed the "Queen Bee" the media and the LPGA have put her on the back burner. Unless Michelle is in contention, do not plan on seeing very much of her on TV. During the first round they only showed her bad chip shot on no.18 and her 25 foot par putt.
Michelle could still appear in six LPGA events per year on exemption (with an appearance fee) or qualify for some U.S. Majors from the LET money list.
The LET recruitment of Michelle may lead to growth for the Ladies European Tour of events, sponsors and prize funds.
I wonder if this might be why the LPGA is distancing themselves from her after the meeting, between Carolyn, her father and her agent.
BTW Joe, the BBC has aired two specials on Michelle during their coverage of the event. According to them Michelle had the largest gallery during the Pro-Am and first round.
Nike and Sony both have the largest potential for growth in the European and Asian emerging markets.
What does it say when a lot of these fans are following Wies?
You make sound silly statements not the least of which is Europe, an emerging market??????
The story the Wie's gave about why Michelle did not compete in the US Amatuer events was because they live in Hawaii and did not want the long travel to these events. Now you think she would be interested in going from Hawaii/California to play on the LET. Of course this would be a good way of ducking the best women golfers again because all the good Europeans come to the US to play on the LPGA.
IF the LPGA is distancing themselves from Bubbles it would be because the Wie gang has no respect for Rules or the game of Golf. Until they show that respect they will not be truly welcome anywhere in the golf world. They are only accepted now because of the absurd media hype that brings in more money. If she brings in bigger crowds great but play by the Rules or do bother.
Your rules, LPGA rules, R & A rules?
List the rules she has broken please.
And give your evidence to support your post.
Looks like we're headed for the "good days, bad days" speech, along with the "fine-line between shooting 73 and 80-something" speech.
"She's an arrogant brat."
Sounds like your typical American teenager.
Acyually, I see lots of evidence of the sense of entitlement on the LPGA. Pressel is a great example of this. There are others as well.
Rules of etiquette? Hmm, until the press kept poking at it, there was no problem. Most of the crap that is credited to the Wies, is actually selective editing such as the Solomons headline for this blog.
Sorry, Stacy, what you did on that headline is what makes people lose respect for journalists.
The same one we have seen for the past year..The one eating cheetos on her couch at home.
"The people who were saying she couldn't break 80 and that she wasn't injured and it was just a confidence thing have got to be feeling really silly."
At last check Michelle seems to be on her way to a smooth 81 today--You're right Stan I feel really foolish for questioning her ability to break 80 on a consistent basis. Only time will tell if she ever regains her form, but for you to blindly carry on as if her decline is nothing to be concerned about is to fiddle while Rome is burning.
I assume you mean this:
The crowds that followed 17-year-old Michelle Wie during her pro-am round Wednesday are another sign that the times are changing, Mair said. “You talk to people here now who want to see Michelle Wie as much as they want to see Tiger Woods,” she said."
Mair is clearly delusional or simply trying to hype her book or women's golf - and that's an irresponsible use of the quote by the writer. Anyone who has seen Tiger live knows the experience can't be likened to any other current golfer - maybe even athlete. Sorenstam gets a much bigger following than Wie at events - at least the one I was at.
Oops, she did it again!
Big crowds also gather at train wrecks, accidents, fires, and other catastrophies. Big crowds also gather at horror movies. Maybe some of those folks are just following her just to witness her now-famous collapses. She did not disappointed them today!
I assume you mean this:
The crowds that followed 17-year-old Michelle Wie during her pro-am round Wednesday are another sign that the times are changing, Mair said. “You talk to people here now who want to see Michelle Wie as much as they want to see Tiger Woods,” she said."
Mair is clearly delusional or simply trying to hype her book or women's golf - and that's an irresponsible use of the quote by the writer. Anyone who has seen Tiger live knows the experience can't be likened to any other current golfer - maybe even athlete. Sorenstam gets a much bigger following than Wie at events - at least the one I was at.
Good comments but rather surprised you have only seen Annika once. I have attended/Marshalled at many LPGA and PGA events including Majors. The is NO comparison between the crowds that follow Tiger and the curiosity seekers who follow MW in far less numbers.
Putt4brains or whatever....
If you do not understand what I mean by for "Respect " for the Rules of Golf I can't help you. The recent example of her father and manager being too close is like the "proverbial straw". There have been so many examples that never get written up or shown on TV it is ridiculous. She is the only player I have ever seen where there is a need to chastise her entourage about what they can and cannot do inside the ropes. The need for the LPGA Commissioner to speak to them was because so many players have complained and it must stop. Maybe you should attend a tournament sometime and you might understand what respect is for the game.
I have never seen any player on the LPGA that shows the sense of entitlement that Michelle Wie shows. Certainly the comment on Morgan Pressel shows you have never seen these people in person or up close. I have seen MW play several times a year in person since she was 13. She and her parents seemed like nice people then but as they got closer to the money it all changed. It has been sad to see the fresh faced young girl who loved playing and seeing new places become a different person who is now a head case and not a very happy one. She is now like a robot who has been programmed. Now it is all business and if you think she makes her own decisions I have a bridge to sell you.
MW should go enjoy Stanford and come back next year.
http://www.waggleroom.com/story/2007/8/3/123526/4925
Again, I say that the LPGA and the rules officials are to blame if the entourage is inside the ropes. If you were a marshall on the course, you saw this and you didn't stop it or complain, then you are to blame.
All those "apparent" rules infractions were there for you to correct and you did nothing, thereby encouraging them? Shame on you, mr. "know it all- i've been everywhere-done everything expert".
As to your other little nugget. All those supposed items that the press never reported? Surely you jest? With every potential "Bambergers" in america waiting to pounce on any and all mistakes, miscues or infractions, these people missed them and didn't report them?
Muahahahahaha... Good one.
Go peddle your lovely little rant elsewhere.
I do not know... Maybe the one at the site of the practice area of the next tournament. It will not be the one playing at the British Open!
On second thought, who am I to cast doubts. I am, after all, just like her some times -- "My mind tells my body to shoot below par," but my body keeps shooting in the 80s.
Sorry if it was too long. Only Tour Officials can enforce the rules with respect to players. There are a lot of people inside the ropes but there are guidelines for each. There is no question the Golfer is only to seek help from the caddy or an Official. Therein lies the problem.
"Bambergers"??? you got me there, no idea what you mean.
The go to the Inaugural Tournament that Wie played as a professional.
Need anymore help?
As for this "Only Tour Officials can enforce the rules with respect to players. There are a lot of people inside the ropes but there are guidelines for each. There is no question the Golfer is only to seek help from the caddy or an Official. Therein lies the problem. "
If there is a problem and the officials in attendance don't or won't do their job, don' fault the players and their entourage from taking advantage of it.
Those, btw, are the rules of the tournament organizers.
It is up to them to enforce the rules.
As for playing by the rules, again, which rules do you wish to punish her under?
Of course, you trolls don't really care as long as you can sling sh*t, the rules really don't matter at all.
This is the reporter that the Wienuts have taped to their dartboard. He observed Wie violating the rules of golf, and had the audacity to report the cheating.
The answer should probably be "No".
The rules official at the time said it was not.
Further to that, I still question why such an honest and upstanding citizen waited til there was no possible way to take a penalty other than a DQ. Better sales for his own books?
If you want to talk cheating, talk about Annika defying the laws of physics with that banana ball of hers.Paula creamer called her on that one.She argued and argued with the rules official til he caved in to the queen. Then the LPGA members all closed ranks and wouldn't talk about it.
The queen shall not be questioned, lol And the rules official bought it. Also the Divot attempt the Karrie Webb called her on.She argued til the rules official was called. Cheating, Joe. She was caught both times.
But rather than tell the truth, you start a smear campaign, Joe.
You can't prove it, you can't verify it, so you start a whisper campaign, smearing a player so that you can feel ood.
If you can't prove it, STFU.
The truth? You can't handle the truth!
"Sounds like your typical American teenager," says putt4par.
Many young women aspire to be like these women of the LPGA/LET and especially (with all of the hype) Michelle Wie. With cameras surrounding both her and her entourage, she needs to maintain more decorum than the average teen. Good etiquette is slowing getting lost in the shuffle on the publinks where I play.
I hope that Michelle realizes that she is a role model and acts as such.
Yeah, truth. Something that I seriously doubt that you ar aquainted with.
You wouldn't recognize the truth if it smacked you in the mouth.
Now as to what caused your brain injuries...*shrug*
Go get your meds, Alex. I'm sure that I hear your mommy calling you.
As for Michelle and how she is seen by other kids, judging from what my wife and I see on television, there is nothing wrong with her. She sounds like a normal peppy teenager. Let Alex and the trolls make something out of nothing if they want.
Most often, after having listened to an interview, I look at what reporters send out to their editors and am constantly amazed to see the changes they make to what she says.
Like your heading of this blog, taken out of context, that phrase says something entirely different from what she said in her interview.
That is what the public sees in magazines and newspapers. Most people get all their news from the headlines, never bothering to read the full article. So often what is quoted in that headline is a long way from the truth, usually posted as a headline to grab the readers attention.
If you don't like being seen as dishonest with your article, then quote accuratley.
You ready for the quick naked crotch shot on your kid everytime they get in or out of a car?
You want your kid to take up golf or go drinking on the weekend , then go to jail?
Decorum.... Yeah, I see a lot of it in the role models that the media presents. Then we have people ( well, I use the term very loosely) like alex bashing the hell out of Michelle. And the thing that I see as the biggest unspoken beef from all the trolls, is they are jealous of the money. Yup, it all seems to come down to that big contract with all the $$$ signs that pisses the trolls off the most.
I thought that you said that you intended to proofread and correct your posts before you send them?
Just because Bubbles went into the tank again, that's no reason for you to become so irascible.
Did you say you were in the tank again? Out carousing with the dim blonde terors of Hollywood again?
putt4par,
I thought..
---------
You??? and thought??? in the same sentence?
Muahahahahaha..... Oh now that is wild.
It seems that putt4par has descended into the depths of despair since Bubbles' MC.
It is probably best to let him brood in solitude.
He'll get over it.
What did the rules officials rule? Was Annika DQ'ed? I didn't think so. Like I said in another post, what does it say on Michelle Wie's balls? 59? or 88? Perhaps the rules officials are more inclined to see things the way that the ultra-dominant player of her time sees them. Rookies with no wins? Not as much.
And thanks, I think I will Smear The Fraud Unceasingly.
No surprises there.
Oh, and btw, the rules officials should see the rules as they are written, not the way the most popular player sees them. In the case of the divot, she was assessed a two stroke penalty. With the wonder physics defying banana shot, she got away scot free. But at least she was called on the rules infraction at the moment it was played.
Bamberger pulled one of the most contentious and cowardly moves a sleaze ball can make. He waited til there was no possible way that a penalty other than DQ could be assessed. Now that is called cheating. And it was the press that did it, not Michelle. I'm still wonder wh it took Bamberger 3 hours to talk the official into measuring that drop. Why was he so adamant, so insistent? What was his agenda and why?
If it had been me they were tying to penalize, i'd have insisted on haveing them use a surveyors chain. At least it would have been more acurate than a piece of twine.
But of course that just doesn't fit in with how you want to punish Michelle for whatever wrong you imagine she has done you.
Lol, Alex, I see you are into the lugubrious and asinine statements again.
Why don't you go bray in the traffic? Maybe we could get lucky and you'd run into a bus.
"I'm still wondering why it took Bamberger 3 hours to talk the official into measuring that drop."
Ok, insert where it belongs in the above post. In Alex case, we'll not make any rude suggestions about where he can place it.
And you have the nerve to say my R must stand for rant. Looking at all of the above you need to have your medication adjusted. If you are not on medication please see someone soon. Hoping someone runs into a bus is a unfortunate and disgraceful thing to say. You should apologise or be banned from these blogs.
ROFLMAO,I love the way you guys are so selective in the posts that get your tails in a knot.
Better yet, these guys need to take a page out of the moderators rules on some of the young peoples forums.
You and Alex and a lot of the other trolls would have been put on permanent ignore and your IP addresses would have been red flagged with stop posts on them.
And I did say that he might run into a bus. Depends on your point of view, but running into a bus ight have taken him to a new location and out of our hair.(no, he needn't get injured but then the way he brays, he may injure others).
You can take that anyway you like and I'm sure you will.
putt-putt is really not as belligerent as he would have you believe.
Nor is he as stupid as is posts indicate. How could he be?
He is basically a Canuck who is educated beyond his capacity to learn. In other words, he has read too many comic books.
As soon as he gets over Bubbles' latest nosedive, he'll get back to normal, which is not saying much.
Heya Ali baby, hows things looking in your dim little padded cell?
It's ok Joe R, Alex really is as stupid as his posts would indicate. He is one of your basic arrogant and ignorant amireecan trolls with an attitude and no common sense. Thank god they are all south of the 49th parrallel.( well, with the exception of any that may be in Alaska)
Speaking of educating, could someone please tell the trols the difference between sense snd since, also our and are? Please help them ascertain the appropriate places to to use them.
I know it'll be a stretch for Alex, but since he was one of those poor benighted little mutts that had to be held because he couldn't comprehend anything above a kindergarten picture book, Alex needs all the help he can get.
I must disagree with you for the first time. Putt4par is certainly as stupid as his posts suggest. He accuses one of ranting, then fills post after post with copious nonsense. He never makes a prediction and rarely makes an original statement; rather, he waits for one to take a position, then fills posts with critical nonsense. I asked him why he did not make predictions on a previous post, and he explained that he has no balls (more information than I was looking for). So, in conclusion (I don't want to be accused of ranting), this intellectually vacant derelict is not worth debating with.
Because she is a symbol of futility in golf, followed-up by surreal and highly entertaining quotes and interviews. There's a big bright beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day: the sun will come up tomorrow! And Michelle Wie is going to practice really-really hard so by the next tournament miraculously her golf game will be sub-par. Moreover, she has the ability to say this with a straight face. Pound for pound, Michelle supplies more entertainment value than any other female golfer on the tour and thus she will stay in the spotlight so that "we" may kick Wie around in print awhile longer.
I like his latest argument, too: Bubbles is a better role model that the worst role models disgorged by popular culture, so she must be okay. Why, hell's bells, she's better than Paris Hilton!
Hey, I'd rather have Benedict Arnold be a role model for my child than Hitler, Stalin or Hussein. That Ben must have been a fair dinkum fellow.
Carry on, your doing great so far.
Then there were reports of her being rude to her peers. I was a fan of hers, and tried to discount these instances as immaturity, but she is a brat. After her WD to prevent the 88, I quit making excuses.
One-Putt
Well let me answer your first inane statement:
"You make sound silly statements not the least of which is Europe, an emerging market??????"
The New Europe has grown in the past decade with the addition of several Eastern Block nations of the former Soviet Union into the European Union. My statement was not silly, but a fact.
Now for your second rambling statement:
"The story the Wie's gave about why Michelle did not compete in the US Amatuer events was because they live in Hawaii and did not want the long travel to these events. Now you think she would be interested in going from Hawaii/California to play on the LET. Of course this would be a good way of ducking the best women golfers again because all the good Europeans come to the US to play on the LPGA."
In case you didn't notice Joe Bob, the past two European events Michelle played in were also sanctioned by the LPGA along with the LET.
As a member of the LET she could qualify for the Evian from the tour saving one LPGA exemption. As a member of the LET, Michelle could also receive appearance fees at LPGA events, as an LPGA member she could not.
The LET plays events in several European countries along with events held in Australia, South Africa and the Middle East. Michelle would only need to play six of these events to secure her LET membership.
As far as I know Michelle has been playing against the best golfers in the World and hasn't ducked anyone since she was thirteen years old.
The "Best European Golfers" come to play on the PGA/LPGA Tour for one reason only, money!
Unfortunately it is difficult to answer your final thought since it was a little disjointed:
"IF the LPGA is distancing themselves from Bubbles it would be because the Wie gang has no respect for Rules or the game of Golf. Until they show that respect they will not be truly welcome anywhere in the golf world. They are only accepted now because of the absurd media hype that brings in more money. If she brings in bigger crowds great but play by the Rules or do bother."
As an Alex Bot you should realize there were no violations of the rules as written in reference to the game of golf. If you know of another rule that was not respected, please let me know.
Do you actually believe that, considering the state of Bubbles' golf game and the fact that she plans to enroll next month as a full time student at Stanford, that the scenario that
you've laid out is very likely or even possible?
I don't believe Joe R was referring to any flagrant violations of rules printed in a manual.
O-P, I actually saw BJ Wie walking around and talking while others were putting at the 2005 Publinx. Was it a crime? No. Bad manners? Yes.
When Bubbles snubs her playing partners in pro-ams as she often does, it isn't even a misdemeanor, but it is bad manners.
It similarly isn't a crime when a healthy young man takes the last seat on a commuter train from and older lady on crutches, but it certainly would be considered bad manners.
As a professional and a well-known personality, Bubbles should realize as much. So should her college professor father, her mother, and the rest of her entourage.
I have a 9:20 tee time. I want to improve on yesterday's 89.
Alex
Maybe he has gone to his room, sulking?
Btw, Congrats to Lorena Ochoa to her first of many major championships. Even Annika gave a veiled salute to Lorena directed at the under-achieving sponsored ladened MW. Six amateurs made the cut, while Wieble, wabbled. Let's hear the spin on that.g
I'm sure that you've all noticed how our friend putt4par has become more irascible than ever of late.
His propensity for the use of vulgarity and profanity has increased almost exponentially.
His online Tourette's syndrome has become apparent even to those unfamiliar with his modus operandi.
Like all the rest of you, I wondered why he would abruptly turn from a likable Canuck curmudgeon into an internet attack dog. Then the reason for his personality change came to me.
No, it wasn't the Canadian health care system that denied him his monthly supply of coprolalia medication. It is something far more serious. I'll explain.
As we all know, putt4par is from Canada, a proud Canadian, although that may be a bit of an oxymoron. He does not reside in the liberal, effete region of eastern Canada, but on the prairie village of Edmonton, Alberta.(Some Londoners refer to the city as "Deadmonton: due to its lack of nightlife.
Anyway, as we all know, putt4par's favorite golfer, Michelle Wie, hereinafter known on this blog as Bubbles was successful in wangling a sponsor's exemption to the Canadian Women's Open which will be held next week. And where will this event take place? That's right, Dead-- Edmonton!
putt4par is undoubtedly beside himself in anticipation of what to him will be the event of a lifetime, actually seeing his idol in person. All that is left for him to realize his dream is for him to scare up the price of admission. So we can see why he has become so nervous and irritable of late; similar to a child waiting for Santa Claus.
However, lurking in the back of putt-putt's mind is a certain amount of dread, angst if you will. That angst is rooted in the fear that Bubbles may not make the cut or may even pull off one of her now infamous withdrawals.
So now you see, fellows, why we have to cut old putt4par considerable slack. He'll have a lot on his plate next week with Bubbles in town so we all should wish him well.
I hope Bubbles not only makes the cut, but finishes in the top twenty. If she does this much, putt4par won't have to be put on suicide watch.
Alex
You are becoming truly obsessived with this nonsense. Your continued reference to Tourettes's leads me to believe that you truly are ill. Please go get some help, Alex.
At this point, one would have to wonder about your mental stability because you certainly sound like a man on the edge of full mental collapse.
Mrs. Alex, take care of him before he loses it altogther..
Is that the best you can do? I expected a response of some substance. However, since you've run out of material, I guess it will have to suffice.
I'll be busy for the rest of the day so I won't be able to spar with you. That's busy as in work at a job.
One question putt-putt: Are you planning on rooting for Bubbles next week in your hometown?
No, I won’t be anywhere near that city. I live 2 hours away from your favorite whipping post. Why on earth would I subject myself to the traffic and the crowds just to watch a dog and pony show like that. But then again, maybe they can get Natalie to sit on her old glory again.
It was always your assumption that Edmonton was my hometown. Shows what you get for assuming, doesn't it?
So what's with your obsessive interest in TS, Alex? It’s sad that you and your family must be so ill with the disease but airing your illnesses in public like this makes you sound like a hypochondriac.