Tiger Woods cancels Barclays claiming fatigue, Michelle Wie wilts, easy golf tips from Sorenstam and Adam Scott

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Tiger Woods claims that he is physically and mentally drained after winning both the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship. The world’s number one golfer announced on his website that his body is “spent” and needs time to recuperate.
With good intentions, Woods stated recently that his plan was to show for all four FedEx Cup playoff events but, with little notice, withdrew just prior to the first playoff. I personally don’t think it’s fair to either the PGA Tour, the sponsors of the event who announced (with regularity) that Tiger is coming to Westchester CC and certainly not to the New York area fans who probably got their tickets weeks ago in anticipation of seeing TW at the Barclays. But it appears that Tiger beats to his own drum now and seeks out tournaments which benefits his sponsors and charities.
Is this fair or should Woods be held to a more strict schedule for this FedEx Cup that he originally touted as such a great idea? He was “given” his own tournament in Washington D.C. this year by Tim Finchem (the Congressional) which seems to have taken the place of the now defunct International; should it now be payback time for Woods?
Not a chance, but Tiger is scheduled to play in the second leg of the FedEx Cup at the Deutsche Bank Championship which also happens to support the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Both the third and fourth playoffs are currently not listed on his schedule.
Another golfer who appears to have “wilted” under tournament pressure is Michelle Wie.
Unfortunately, Wie is fast becoming just another name in a large crowd of golfers catalogued under the “missed cut” section of the leaderboard, this week at the Canadian Women’s Open. At least her caddies seem to be improving their status over time as former bag carrier Greg Johnson now loops for Ginn Open champ Brittany Lincicome and David Clark left before this event to carry the bag for PGA Tour’s Greg Owen. Of course, with a current standing of 156th, did Clark really make that good of a decision or did he do it just to get away from Team Wie?
For example, does Bo Wie really need to place practice balls on the tee for Michelle? Can’t seventeen-year-old Wiesy just bend down and place them there herself? I have to wonder, with two LPGA exemptions remaining (Safeway Classic and Samsung), is it still a wise decision to offer them to Wie?
This week on Golf for Beginners, in addition to the latest about Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie, we also include easy golf tips from Annika Sorenstam and Adam Scott. A flagstick ruling also comes into question.
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53 comments
When I saw that she had missed yet another LPGA cut, I thought of posting a comment on one of the Bubbles threads, but something had changed. I felt a sense of . . . boredom with the Bubbles story. It really has gotten old, reaching a point at which I'm not even sure she's interesting anymore. Really, the only thing that would be mildly interesting would be if she would have a fit of honesty, perhaps saying something after a bad round such as, "You know, I just played lousy, there are no ands, ifs or buts about it. I'm really going to have to put my nose to the grindstone and try to get my game back on track." That at least would be refreshing.
As it is now, I think Bubbles has used up her public relations currency. I mean, it's at a point at which her story can't even be spun anymore.
Anyway, forgive me for even commenting on this. Bubbles' golf game, RIP.
Come out, come out where ever you are!!!!
You should know by now that Stanley and the rest of the Wiebots have gone into deep cover.
But I can guarantee that they will emerge as fanatical as ever as soon as Bubbles does ANYTHING that can be remotely construed as positive.
Those things can include showing up for the Safeway, making an inane interview, and actually going to any class at Stanford.
If she makes the cut at the Safeway, it will be Katie bar the door, absolute proof that Bibbles is back and ready for the Grand Slam, Master's, Ryder Cup, and the Hall of Fame.
Yes she lost her game because of injury, but the way you get it back is through practice, practice, practice.
While she goes to Stanford, Morgan, Paula and the other young players will keep playing full-time, keep getting better and keep notching up the titles.
If Michelle wants fans, she should get serious about golf.
In all honesty, Bubbles' injury was to her psyche. I could elaborate on what I believe are the psychological factors, but I don't feel inclined to write that much, and, besides, it's old territory.
I studied footage in slow motion of Michelle's swings at the lpga championship and it was very obvious that she was favoring the wrist. I have no doubt that she did have a serious injury.
However she has been swinging much better and harder through the British Open and Canadian Open.
What she is probably too immature to realise is that although she has worked hard to build up strength, it takes a big commitment to get the game in order as well, and that takes time on the golf course, not in the classroom.
Alex, John D. and I have already made our predictions for Bubbles performance. Alex believes that Bubbles will make the cut this weekend and finish around 45th (right Alex?) On the other hand, John D and I do not think she will make the cut, and I think she will finish around 80th. Do you have a prediction? This will be your last chance to predict her outcome for a while on the LPGA, as she only has the Samsung left.
Predicting Bubbles fate on making the cut is not an easy task as she is finishing right around the cut line these days.
LR
LR
I predict she will miss the cut by 3 shots at the Safeway Classic.
Are you serious? Have you lost faith? Do you really think she will perform that poorly? She missed the cut by 3 strokes last week, but improved on driving and hitting greens. She still has control issues, but I think their is slow improvement. She is playing better than she did at Annika's event. Even Alex has predicted that Bubbles will make the cut this week.
I don't believe this...I am trying to cheer up a Wie fan.
What is the world coming to????
I'm losing my mind!!
You are right that Michelle has showed signs of improvement and her driving has improved. It takes time to put the whole game together. As her driving improved, her irons might have got a bit worse, as it's difficult to judge them if you are hitting them a bit longer than you had before when the the injury was worse.
Then a player might work on that and putting might go off a bit. It takes time, but as the work is put in, the whole game starts to come together.
But the thing about this is the work has to be put in at the golf course. No amount of studying or listening to lectures about Economics or anything else is going to improve a golf game.
That is why I am very pesimistic about Michelle's golf. Is she really committed to the game?
Looking at bubbles future, I think she will be successful on the LPGA tour is she wants to be and devotes the time and practice. In this capacity, I do not think she will be unbeatable or carry the dynasty of wins that Sorenstam did. As you mentioned, there are to many young players like Ochoa, Creamer, and Pressels (not to mention all the up and coming Korean players) that are getting better and better. What I don't think is that Bubbles will ever make it on the PGA tour like she has vowed to do. I believe that teeing it up against the men on a course like the 84 Lumber Classic last year was damaging to her game, where she was consistently out driven and hitting a second shot 5-iron to the rest of the field's 9-iron. We can agree to disagree, but I think events like this one and the subsequent European Masters where she again came in dead last hurt her game more than any physical injury that she suffered afterwards. A lot of golf depends on your state of mind, and getting pounded by the men late last year could not have helped her game any.
It will be fun to see how she does this week. This will probably be the last time she competes for a while.
LR
But can she put together three solid rounds and beat off the invincible Lorena Ochoa?
Ochoa has gone way ahead of the other players and is set to dominate the womens game.
Even if Wie gets her game back, she will be hoping that she produces her best golf when Ochoa has off-form tournaments, because in likelyhood, Lorena is going to win anywhere she plays well.
Then...she will miss the cut!
LR
It is gratifying to read that you have become disenchanted with Bubbles' performances of late.
What I find troubling is that you apparently have adopted the politically incorrect stance that young woman like Bubbles should eschew higher education.
Many LPGA touromg pros are college graduates, for instance, Annika and Lorena.
Are you saying that Bubbles should,t try to emulate these two champions?
This is only my second post in this website. First of all I want to apologize for any grammatical and/or spelling mistakes since English is my second language.
Being from Mexico you can imagine that I am in Lorena’s corner all the way. One of the things that I have always admired about her is the fact that although she is confident on her abilities she is the first to admit if a part of her game is lacking and needs to improve. Yes…. She has lofty goals such as reaching number one, as many of the ladies on tour. Yet Lorena backs those goals with small steps…. Improving distance, improving accuracy, etc. It took 5 years of sacrifices and determination to be able to get to where she is right now. Those, combined with the right support system like her family, have created not only an amazing athlete but a basic good human being.
It is funny how I have hardly read a negative thing about Lorena, except about not winning majors and that she is not a closer, or is considered a choker. And yet, emotionally, I believed that she has gained the most strength in the last year. Hopefully we will keep seeing great golf from her, and yet at the same time remain a good role model not only for young Mexicans but for young people around the world.
I am astounded to find the polarizing feelings about Michelle Wie. There is nothing for me to say (good or bad) that has not been said before. I love the LPGA, and I would love it for tour to have bigger audiences and exposure. Can you imagine the ADT championship with a 10 million dollar payout? I rather have the Wie’s, Pressel’s, Creamer’e, Kim’s and Park’s getting better and giving us great golf. Of course as long as Lorena still beats them at the end :)
If the pain gets bad enough almost anybody can seek help
Many LPGA touromg pros are college graduates, for instance, Annika and Lorena.
Are you saying that Bubbles should,t try to emulate these two champions?
_______________________________
Alex,
Lorena is not a college graduate, she did two years and dropped out of college.
If that is what Wie has planned, it might be okay.
However Wie stated that she intends to get a degree and she said it would take more than 4 years, that probably means 6 years. That is too much time away playing part-time golf, and it would make it more difficult to adapt to full-time golf at that stage.
Also, her results at golf during that time, wouldn't be what they could be.
I support Michelle Wie because I have many years experience in the golf industry and she is the most talent female player ever. However, all the talent does not matter if a player is a slacker who isn't prepared to put in the effort and commit to the game.
If she went to college for a while and dropped out then that's fair enough, but if she persists with a part-time golf attitude, that isn't good enough.
The "most talented female player ever" is currently 2 over through 8 (tied for 49th). But, there is still a lot of golf to play. We will see. I do agree with you that if she spent six years in college, it would not be good for her game. But I do not see her staying in college that long, especially when she figures out how tuff Stanford is and how unglamorous living in a college freshman dorm is.
Irma,
I do not think you will find a lot of negative writings about Lorena Ochoa on this post or any others. No player is without critics and fans who do not like them, but there is not a lot of negative things folks can say about Lorena. She is a class act both on and off the course, even the other players like her.
LR
Bubbles just bogeyed 10 and parred 11. She is now +4 through 11 and needs to gain a stroke if she is going to have a decent chance of making the cut tomorrow.
What a round Ji Young Oh is having. She is -7 through 15. If she keeps this up much longer, she will be hard to catch in this 54-hole tournament. Hey, has anyone seen the LPGA photo of Ji Young Oh? She looks just like Bubbles, except she wears glasses.
LR
Hey, has anyone seen the LPGA photo of Ji Young Oh? She looks just like Bubbles, except she wears glasses.
__________________
Ji Young Oh looks very beautiful in that photo.
I don't think she looks like Michelle though.
Stanley,
I agree 100%, Ji Young Oh does look beautiful in that photo.
Well Bubbles has her work cut out for her. She shot a 79 today, but its way to early to know what the cut line is going to be. Lorena Ochoa is slowly approaching the top of the leader board at 4 under. Will she win her third in a row???
LR
"Yeah, I mean, I still feel I hit some good shots there today. Shooting a 79 is not something I think about. The 25-foot putt in number 16 for a birdie was really awesome! I mean, I am capable of getting a birdie in the other holes, too. I mean, you know, like think about it, I am capable of doing that and if I birdie every hole as I am capable of doing, I can shoot a 54. So,as you can see, there is a fine line between a 54 and a 79. That is one of the things I learned studying for my SAT to go to Stanford. My wrist felt really goodly when I had the birdie, but when I had the double bogies I felt a tingly sensation. I am still improving, though. Six months ago, I was only at 60 percent and I have been improving 10 percent per week, so now I am at what, 70 percent. The important thing is to get as much practive as I can, so this high 70s and 80s are really helpful. This week is a tremendous improvement, you know. Tomorrow is Saturday and I will still be playing. Anyway, I still think it is really awesome so I am looking forward to my 54 tomorrow."
Sorry about splitting the URL up like that, but you can cut and paste the URL to find the article.
http://newsvids.blogspot.com/2007/08/
michelle-wies-career-at-crossroads.html
Art, try going to the Address below and then scroll to the bottom of the page. In Archives under August 24/2007, look for the article "Michelle Wie's Career at a Crossroads
"
Hope that helps
http://newsvids.blogspot.com/
She should have realized that when She saw a photo of herself being carted out of a tournament on a strecher due to heat. I googled Michelle Wie News and there are no new articles on her. I guess the novelty is wearing off and She will only get Press from now on if She makes the cut. Poor Thing, except for her Money. I hope they invest it well.
Thanks for the link.
Wow!!!! He ended that with some pretty strong words. "I think her best days may be behind her." I would actually find it hard to believe that she is finished, or that she never seriously contends again. If she is finished, it's her choice. She could always come back and compete. She has proven already that she can compete with everyone on the LPGA, she just has not proven yet that she can win. At any rate, she is pretty much set for life anyhow. $10 mil in the bank and on her way to Stanford, life could be a whole lot worse.
Anyhow, I think she will be back and will contend once she takes some time off.
LR
She should have realized that when She saw a photo of herself being carted out of a tournament on a strecher due to heat. I googled Michelle Wie News and there are no new articles on her. I guess the novelty is wearing off and She will only get Press from now on if She makes the cut. Poor Thing, except for her Money. I hope they invest it well.
She just missed a birdie Putt for a 29 on the front nine by 2 inches. She did not hit it. Michelle looks like She would rather be somewhere or anywhere besides the golf course
Michelle Wie, 38-41=79
Q. Not the round you wanted, was it?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I mean, obviously it was very frustrating because just, you know, couldn't get anything going. I made some great par 3's early on in the round, later on in the round, but just a lot of putts didn't go in today. It's just, you know, it was kind of like a hectic round. I didn't know really what happened. I felt like I didn't shoot this bad. But, like I say, the score didn't show how I played today.
WHY can't she just say that she didnt play well instead of trying to make is sound like she played well....
Looks like The Teenage Golf Sensation's score once again doesn't show how she played today.
Apparently, a lot of putts didn't go in today again.
Too bad about that eagle -- now we will never hear the end of it.
No, Bubbles does not have the 88 rule, she has the 86 rule. The rule reads like this: If during any LPGA round, you are +14 (par 72) or (+15 par 71) such that you will shoot 86 if you par the remaining holes (which is to close to 88), you simply withdraw from the event citing an injury, and head to a driving range and begin pounding balls. When envoking the 86 rule, explanations concerning your actions are not necessary.
Well, Jimbo, I'm glad to see that you're still with us. I was ready to take you off the MIA list and and put you with the DOA's.
Since you were a full-fledged Wiebot prior to your prolonged absence from this forum, I assumed that you'd have something to say either pro or con about Bubbles.
If you'll notice, Stanley, formerly Wie Warrior numero uno, has bailed out and is now a severe critic of Bubbles announced intention of going on to college at Stanford and obtaining a degree. He figures it would be all right for her to enroll and experience the college life for two years, but that she should drop out and begin to practice in earnest.
But you have preferred to eschew any mention of Bubbles. Instead, you seem to delight in poking fun at 50 year-old Nancy Lopez, someone who rarely plays anymore, but a multiple major winner, winner of 48 tournaments, and a member of the Hall of Fame.
Hey Jimbo, did it ever occur to you that Nancy was being facetious when she made those innocuous remarks with which she has been credited?
Nancy Lopez said that she hoped to get a top 10 as quickly as possible in her comeback. I'm not sure about the remark of showing the young players to play, but she did make the top 10 remark and she was serious about it.
The way she said it was like, get a top 10 and kick on from there.
The good thing about Wie at the Safeway from the 2nd round coverage was that she looked to be getting her swing back. Maybe she hadn't got her distance control back and her putting was shocking, but her swing looked technically much better than it had.
I think that can only have occured through hard work, so it is a good sign that she has put that work in.
I don't know what Stanford will do to her game, if she actually goes there. But she does need to commit herself to serious practice. Her swing looks technically good, she hit some shots right down the centre and some right at the flags and the plane of her swing looked excellent, much better than it had in other tournaments, but she has plenty to work on.
Hopefully she puts in that hard work on the golf course.
If her websites are to be believed, Bubbles DOES practice diligently every day.
And what about the weeks she spends in Florida with Leadbetter?
And all the practicing she did at Bulle Rock after she withdrew at Annika's Ginn tournament/
Or were these just propaganda put out by the Wie spin machine?
As far as Bubbles actually attending Stanford, unless she and her family are willing to forfeit all the tuition money and the dormitory fees, as well as look foolish to the faculty and the news media, she had better be there for enrollment and at least go to class for the first quarter or semester.
As shaky as her golf game has been for the last year, I'd wholeheartedly advise it.
What websites does she have?
Where have you been, brother?
Bubbles has several site which used to sing her praises.
www.miss michellewie.com is just one.
The sad part is that in addition to all the google ads, the website itself has a links portion and most of the websites it directs you to are "sexy" sites:
Best Sexy Celebs: Michelle Wie
Sexy BabesX: Michelle Wie
SexySportsChicks.com: Michelle Wie
And there are others. Let me say again, these are not google ads -- they are links placed there by the webmaster. I guess it is true that sex sells. I would hope they want to "sell" her golf skills, but...
There are many other sites of MW, just do a, guess what, google search. Unfortunately, since her game started going south, they are hardly kept up to date.
http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Sports/2009-barclays-championships-schedule.html
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