Michelle Wie still a child on her 18th birthday

In most parts of the world, Michelle Wie is now considered an adult. In South Korea, however, Michelle will legally be considered an adolescent until she turns nineteen.

Maybe that explains some recent instances of her irresponsible, childlike behavior.

1. She left Annika Sorenstam’s tournament, the Ginn Tribute, early and without any explanation to the host. As of the Samsung Tournament, Wie still feels as if she did nothing wrong and has never physically conferred with Sorenstam.

Here are Wie’s thoughts, “I still don’t feel like I did something wrong but if I felt if Annika, or anyone felt like I disrespected them, or if I done anything wrong to them, you know, I do apologize for that. But I don’t really feel like I’ve done anything wrong as with myself.”

2. Wie chose not to attend Q-School or to try to become a member of the LPGA for 2008 because “it conflicted right with orientation week at school.” When I attended orientation at New York University, it consisted of getting to know where all of my classes were to be held as well as an introduction to McSorley’s Old Ale House, not necessarily essential to the learning curve!

Michelle still wants to participate in professional golf. I’m assuming that Q-School would be an important event for her, if only to prove to herself that she could do it. Perhaps she believes she would fail? That could be catastrophic to her career even though there would probably be numerous exemptions waiting for her on both the LPGA and PGA Tours.

3. One of our commenters, Alex, brought up an interesting point about Wie. He wrote, “There was quite a contradiction in her interview concerning her absence from the “Q” school. On one hand, she said that she couldn’t compete in the qualifying tournament since it conflicted with college orientation week, which was the week BEFORE classes began. But less than two weeks AFTER the start of classes, classes which she repeatedly says are very difficult, she has no qualms with blowing off her studies and departing for Palm Desert for about ten days.”

4. Wie’s mother and father rented a house nearby. When a youngster goes away to college, isn’t that exactly what he/she is supposed to do? Get away from the family, the old neighborhood and learn to stand on her own?

5. Michelle chose to keep her exemption to the Samsung. There was no consideration for Natalie Gulbis who was bumped because there was no room, or for the LPGA. Annika Sorenstam gave up her spot as her agent, Mark Steinberg declared, “She didn’t want the perception that she was taking a spot. She decided to do what’s best for the LPGA.”

Having an eighteenth birthday doesn’t immediately qualify someone as an adult. There is a constant learning process which includes (from Wikipedia, under adult) incorporation of self-control, stability, independence, seriousness as well as taking responsibility for your actions.

In the following year, I hope Michelle Wie takes all of the above into consideration, so when she turns nineteen she can look back at this year as one of growth and accomplishment.

Happy Birthday Michelle Wie!