Does Michelle Wie version 2.0 still have glitches and is Tiger Woods too tired for golf?

Tuesday February 10, 2009 | 09:22:58 429 words, 26431 views

With LPGA Tour card in hand, Michelle Wie is presenting the upgraded version of herself to fans this week at the SBS Open. You might even consider her “M.W. version 2.0″, but don’t expect any surprises as she still remains the same golfer but in a shiny new package.

Although her parents have allowed her a bit of wiggle room by allowing Wie to live on campus they still maintain ultimate control, living close by and even following her around in a cart three times a week during practice sessions. She alleges that she’s “to the point where I don’t care what other people think of me, if they think I’m weird or something” which obviously means she is still concerned about the opinions of others. The now nineteen-year-old Wie is also probably fearing what may happen to her endorsements if she should not succeed on the LPGA Tour. Yes, Michelle Wie has demons that she needs to exorcise in order to successfully play in the zone and make a name for herself among her peers.

In other words, the computer desktop may have a new theme but bugs in the operating system need to be fixed before she can successfully release this new edition.

On a more positive note, Wie will get a kickstart in Hawaii in an event which, as a fifteen-year-old amateur, nailed her a tie for second place. Michelle has finally secured her Tour card, validating her ability to play by the rules and, for at least the start of the season, she is the darling of the LPGA, offering Golf Channel shows like Grey Goose 19th Hole plenty of fodder with Carolyn Bivens agreeing to sit in as a featured guest this week.

One question to consider over the upcoming season is, will MW’s “play-whenever-you-want” ideology prove successful or detrimental to the new star of the LPGA Tour?

Golf for Beginners also wonders if Tiger’s stamina during practice will improve with the addition of newborn Charlie Axel or will the world’s number-one golfer fall prey to late-night feedings?

Congrats to the Woods family!

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10 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]

If MW can keep her drives in the fairway and make those four foot putts under pressure, then shame on all of the LPGA gals. If on Thursday she tees off with her five wood, then all bets are off!

Permalink 2009-02-10 @ 19:59

Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]

Carol Bivens is the typical executive in the USA. The poorer performance you have, the bigger reward that you receive. I can not understand why she did not go into politics. She was one of the biggest media head hunters in the business.

Permalink 2009-02-10 @ 20:03

Comment from: ted w [Visitor]

Guys, you are way off. Didn't either of you read Driven? Michelle's parents asked to live in a dorm with michelle at stanford. They got into a tiff with the school and were forbidden from campus for a while. yet you say they have given her wiggle room? The zone is not a rarity...it's actually easy to achieve in life not just golf. Finally, how can you say with a straight face that tiger's stamina might suffer? please...

Permalink 2009-02-12 @ 18:20

Comment from: Stacy [Visitor] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-for-beginners

Who said we were serious??

Permalink 2009-02-12 @ 18:52

Comment from: Reader [Visitor]

In 2nd round of the SBS Open today, MW birdied 3 consecutive holes on her back nine. Currently in 1st place, 9-under overall.

Permalink 2009-02-13 @ 17:11

Comment from: Art [Visitor]

I hope Michelle does well at least as long as She stays away from the men's tour, then it turns into a circus.

Permalink 2009-02-14 @ 06:35

Comment from: Alex [Visitor]

Bubbles had her best tournament since she became a professional.

Playing on a course with which she is very familiar, a layout which might be called her "home course", she managed to forge a three-shot lead with eight to play.

The Wie Warriors must have surely believed that their dreams were about to come true.

So what did she do? She CHOKED, plain and simple.

If she couldn't close the deal with all the advantages including a friendly hometown gallery, it's quite possible that she never will close the deal.

Alex USMC 1969-73

Permalink 2009-02-15 @ 09:46

Comment from: JR [Visitor]

Michelle Wie 2.0 is almost identical to MW 1.0.

Permalink 2009-02-15 @ 11:22

Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]

Good morning Alex,
It is interesting that in the past Michelle, when in position to win, elects to play conservatively and gets a death grip on her three wood. Even after she blew her lead and going to the eighteenth hole, she decided to "lay up" and be happy with a par and assured of second place.

With her past history and the "Annika situation" I don't think that any of the LPGA gals spoke to her during that week in Hawaii. I still see that she uses her caddy only as a mule and does not seek any advice from them at all. "Just shut up and carry my bag." Her mental breakdown on the last six holes, if not improved on, will prevent her from ever winning a golf tournament.

Permalink 2009-02-15 @ 12:05

Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]

MICHELLE WIE: I'd have to say it's pretty high. Every good shot that I hit I'm putting in the positive memory bank and gaining confidence a little bit by little bit. I feel pretty good with my game. Obviously, right now I am a little disappointed, but I can take a lot of positive thoughts from this week. And I think I know exactly what to work on. I know, like, what I have to do to go to the next level. And I think this is just going to -- just missing the trophy by a little bit is going to motivate me to work even harder for the next one. JR, does this sound familiar?

Permalink 2009-02-15 @ 14:36

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