Would trash talking tweets help Michelle Wie's performance? Also the cheapest putter may be right for you.
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The public usually sees LPGA and PGA Tour golfers as an illustrious and highly regarded group, quotable and predictable in their demeanor. You rarely hear about an offensive or derogatory slur and, if you do, it is quietly handled by the powers-that-be (unless John Daly is involved and then it becomes fodder).
Michelle Wie, for example, is becoming one of the more quotable golfers on the LPGA Tour. She is highly visible to the media and her public image is full of aplomb. Her most recent stylized excerpt?
“You know, like I always say, dream high and stuff, set your goals up high, and I think it’s definitely - I’m not saying it’s an easy goal to achieve” …Stanford?
That’s all well and good but how would Michelle Wie, and the LPGA Tour in general, handle a dose of “trash talk” amongst each other? Does any of that occur on or off the course and would it make the LPGA more interesting?
Charles Barkley, during a recent media conference stated, “The best part of sports, number one is winning. The second best part is trash talking with your teammates. But they’re trash talking in every single sport. Let me tell you something, I played golf with Phil Mickelson, Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair, Dudley Hart. I’ve played with a lot of pros. And if you don’t think there is some trash talking going on out there, you’re crazy.”
Would you tune in to more LPGA events if microphones followed the ladies and if you could overhear their little digs at each other? Usually trash talk is all in good fun but highly effective. I think that it would increase ratings!
Carolyn Bivens said she would “love it” if some of the more outspoken Twitterers such as Christina Kim and Morgan Pressel would reach out right in the middle of a match. As Bivens related, “fans are 12-, 13-, 14-year-old girls and boys. They’re not waiting for the golf broadcast on Saturday and Sunday.”
“They want to know what’s going on in the middle of the round,” asserted Bivens, “we’re going to get out of the collared shirts and khaki pants and make golf chic, hip, happening.” The LPGA frontwoman also maintained that Kim and about 30 other LPGA pros will help to make LPGA golf more “relevant".
Pressel was waiting at the 14th teebox during a practice round yesterday, chatting it up with Michelle Wie, another tweeter who has links to several other LPGA golfers including Jeehae Lee and Paige Mackenzie (who mentioned that her 8-iron head just fell off as the grips were being changed!)
Imagine the number of fans who would follow the LPGA if Pressel and Wie went head-to-head during a match and bantered “tweety trash talk” to their fans!
“Hit ‘em hard - they’ll land somewhere,” Pressel may click to MW’s Twitter page.
“#1 BABY! you know… its hard 2 b humble,” responds Wie, trying so hard to keep her tweets UNDER 140 characters.
Perhaps Carolyn Bivens should encourage this new media correspondence although the PGA Tour does not allow communications devices on the golf course. But, just as the LPGA now allows bloggers to cover events, it is only a matter of time before we see golfers clicking away to their opponents on their qwerty keyboards during an event typing, “You’re away Michelle!”
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So you think she will be in the top 10? It is always fun to predict then see where the player ends up (something our ole friend Putt4par would never do).
I think she will finish around 30th. She has been playing really well for a while, and I think she may let down a little. It is also an event before a major, so her mind may be elsewhere. We shall see.
Lance R
Are you lowering your expectations for Bubbles even further?
She has been playing better than she has been for a long time, she might even have won this event last year if not for another of her patented gaffs, and the course is made to order for her game, and the best you can predict for her is a top ten?
Even I could predict a top ten for Bubbles at this weenie roast.
Alex USMC 1969-73
I really feel a Bu88les let down this week. She has played well for several weeks, and I predict a made cut, but also a middle of the pack finish.
If she does earn a top 10 finish, considering also that she has played well as of late, it will probably revive the Wie-bots like Putt4par and Florida Mike.
We shall see.
LR
I'm getting ready to leave on my annual trip to the Memorial, so I won't be viewing any of Bubbles' latest quest at immortality.
Today's "Trib" saw fit to publish a picture of Bubbles practicing her chipping, with the ubiquitous BO and BJ hovering about six feet from her.
I actually believe that Bubbles will have an excellent outing at the State Farm. In fact, I will go out on a limb and predict that she will be in a playoff Sunday, but will ultimately lose in that playoff, and end up T2nd.
That should buoy the spirits of the Wie Warriors. Still no win, however.
Alex USMC 1969073
Hey,man, I'm with you on that! Wie-Wee, aka bu88les, will finish at the bottom of the pack. I doubt if she can pull off a top 50 finish again.
Safe travels,
Joe Cool,
Yes, she was having quite a round until the last two holes. Still, I feel that she is going to let down during this event and finish around 30th. She is scrambling a lot, and still needs to improve off the tee box. We shall see.
Natalie Gulibus (sp?) had a solid round, I would like to see her get her second win.
Also, I think Jee Young Lee may be hard to catch if she keeps playing well. She is one that is capable of going very low (unlike Bu88les).
LR
After she made that bogey on 1, she was actually flirting with the cut line and I thought for a moment that she may pull the ole Bu88les choke on us and miss the cut. But she pulled it together and shot a very respectable 68. This tournamant is different than the past two or three events. The difference between the cut line and the leader is only nine strokes. So they are all bunched in there pretty tight.
I still think Bu88les will have a poor round tomorrow or Sunday and finish around 30th. We shall see.
Lance R
It looks like a gigantic birdie fest with Miyazato shooting a 30 on the front nine! She really must be flag hunting to shoot the 30. Bubbles length doesn't mean very much if she can not hit the fairways and have to scrabble from the rough. I really do not see her shooting better than another 68 under what seems to be perfect scoring conditions. As I had mentioned before, the top players rarely make bogeys and Bubbles will have to tighten up her game before the next major.
Bu88les was certainly due for a poor round. She has been playing consistently well (for her) during the past 4 events, so I figured she was due for a let down. She will probably do a little better tomorrow since there will be no pressure on her at all. The one consistent issue about her game that I have noticed this tournament is that she seems to having trouble finishing out a round. She finished the first round with two consecutive bogies, then fell apart on the final four holes during the third round. That's something she need to correct before next week.
As far as winning a men's event, it is sad that she is in such a fog. She will need to start playing a lot better and winning some events before she will likely be invited to a mens event again, let alone actually winning one.
Lance R
YAWN!!!
She was at least shooting even par with four birdies and four bogies with four holes to play, then dropped five shots over the next four holes. That is what makes predicting her outcome so much fun. She is talented, but she is also such a spaz (or scumwaffle as Florida Mike would say) that you never know what the hell she is going to do.
I am sticking to my earlier prediction of 40th place finish.
Lance
I am pulling hard for Kristy McPherson to get her first win on the LPGA tour. This is an athlete who had to give up other sports because she had an illness that prevented her from walking in the sixth grade. It looked for a while as if she would never compete in any sport again. Through faith, family, and hard work, she in now the 30th best female golfer in the world.
She has a great attitude, and hopefully she will get her first win this weekend. This is the type of athelete that I pull for....not the spoiled brat "Bu88les."
Lance R
The saga of Bubbles continues. One thing for certain is the fact that many golf fans are really tired of the golf phenom train wrecks.
Solheim Cup?...not a chance!
I think she will mwke the Solheim team. Right now I would make Inkster and Wie my two captain's picks. If you disagree who would you pick?
I know, I know, she finished 13 shots behind the winner, but you've got to look at it this way, like Bubbles does.
You see, if Bubbles could have turned six of her bogeys into birdies, and one of her birdies into an eagle, she too would have been 17 under par. Thus, there isn't much difference between 4 under par and 17 under par.
As Cubs' fans like to say, "wait until next year."
Alex USMC 1969-73
You are really the astute man of the year! Bubbles still has not figured out that on the golf range it is 10% mental and 90% physical...on the golf course it is 90% mental and 10% physical. I am sure that during the hundreds of balls hit on the practice range, BJ and Bo yell out words of encouragement and WOW Michelle, another great shot!! Bubbles has not figured out where her driver is going to end up and I do not give her much of a chance to make the cut at Bulle Rock. I hear that Saucon Valley is even a longer and tighter course for the U.S. Open, so, Bubbles will not make the cut in that tournament either unless she can harness in her driver accuracy.
People are wondering why so many Korean players are winning the tournaments. When the Koreans represent 40% of the LPGA roster, it comes as no surprise that they are winning most of the tournaments. What has happened to the collegiate golf program? Alex, I am sure you will have the answer in your next blog.
Well, when you have $40,000,000 in the bank, I guess having fun IS more important than winning golf tournaments!
Bu88les is hanging in there tough with a 70-72 Even score in a tournament where the ladies are struggling to break even par. It seems as the conditions are difficult at this major, and I predict an over par score for tomorrow. But, she does know this course and may surprise us tomorrow. Nevertheless, I predict a "no-win" for our womens golf icon who is the biggest name in womens golf....yet has never won.
Lance R
Bubbles shot 70 and 74 to be at even par. The leaders didn't make a move, however, Bubbles didn't either.
"Uh Lance, where are you getting the super great weed? you sound like Bubbles herself,"
No "weed" consumption here Mr. Smudge, I am not a Wie-wee and do not think she will win this tournament. But at even par after the second round (70-74), she is hanging in there and is within striking distance, especially considering that she is only 8 strokes down with two rounds to play. That is all my post said. Are you sure you are not actually Putt4par signing up as Smudge? Are you the same person? You actually sound like him yourself.
LR
I entered a typo claiming Bu88les had a 70-72 instead of 70-74. Sorry...
As I stated, I think she will have an above-par round tomorrow as the conditions at this event are tough. But she does know the course well, so we will see.
Lance R
Do not worry over the typo, you will not be scheduled for castration. The next sentence is for Bubbles. BUBBLES, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS...GET IT TOGETHER AND DO SOMETHING! I have been waiting for the past five years and my patience is growing thin. I am on the verge of going to "ALEXVILLE." The "GOOD TO GO" town.
Now I will agree that Bu88les is out of contention. If she went low today, she had a slim chance, but now with only one round left, she is way to far back. Her ace on the par 3 was sweet, but way to little to late.
Sorry Bu88les, another lost opportunity.
LR
Despite this, she is still only even par after 12 holes, with two birdies and two double-bogies after the eagle.
Yes Judge Smails, Wie-wee just suffered her second double bogie on #12 which put her at +1 over all and a tie for 46th (at the time). She seems to suffer on courses that really make you pay when you miss a fairway or green.
Had it not been for those two eagles, she would really be letting down the Wie-bots once again.
I cant wait to see what she has to say afterwards. Those hopes of playing the Masters in Agusta must be fading a little.
LR
Below is your predicted Bu88les post-tournament speech:
..."I thought I played very solid except for a couple of shots"..."as you know, my game is a work in progress and I know I am not playing the way that I should be playing"...I think my putting has never been better and I need just a little tweak here and there and I will have my game where it should be."
I believe that you are close; however, I believe that it will be more like:
..."Ahhh I thought I played very solid except for a bad holes"..Ahhh, everyone has bad holes ya know and stuff..as you know, my life is a work in progress and I know I am not playing the way that I should be playing, but I really learned a lot today, especially after that second double bogey on 12...I think my putting has never been better and I need just a little tweak here and there and I will have my game where it should be...and also, I tweaked my wrist again today....but ahhhh, I am ready to take on Tiger Woods at the Masters.....or something."
After getting beaten by 14 strokes and tieing for 23rd place, Bubbles quote..."I don't think my score reflected how well I played"...ahhh, she really is a work in progress.
At 7:15 tomorrow morning Bubbles will try to qualify for the women's US Open. I forgot that she had to qualify this year. I am not taking any bets that she will make it.
"I feel like I did really well, I feel like I was swinging really well. Everything felt pretty positive," Wie said. "I just couldn't get anything going, and some of the putts didn't drop. A couple of sprayed shots here and there (hurt)."
I am going to catch the train to Alexville tomorrow!
Two shout-outs in one comment section. I'm impressed! Especially as I rarely bother to correct ya'll anymore. But for the record, Michelle is not a scumwaffle. I must admit, that I thought consistently playing on the tournament would benefit her more. I agree that she will need to dramatically alter her game and mental attitude in order to win her first, but I am respectful about it. Down here we were raised to be respectful of young women, of course I don't listen to michelle's after comments, unlike some of you obsessed misogynitistic curmudgeons.
Wow..."obsessed misogynitistic curmudgeons"...that one really hurts. I could have handled the curmudgeon part...but coupled with obsessed and misogynitistic...that just put it over the edge, you hit us below the belt...I have hurt feelings now, thanks a lot Florida Mike!! Why could you not have just called me a scumwaffle like you did to poor ole Michelle Wie???
One obvious way that you use to deflect criticisms is to stick your head in the sand (or whereever else it may be):
"I don't listen to Michelle's after comments (sic)"
Well why not Florida Mike??? Is it because you actually do know how ignorant she sounds. Has your daughter heard Michelle's eloquent speeches after she has walked off a tee box to avoid an 88, or embarassed her sponsors with a pathetic performance? And since you have elected to stick your head in the sand and ignore her off the course behavior (like refusing participation in a pro-am), have you considered mayby shutting up???? The other bloggers would appreciate it since you have no idea what you are talking about.
Bubbles hit 46 of 72 greens! Is she trying to convince herself or her sponsors? She is definitely delusional about the quality of her golf. Like Alex said, "Bubbles is a pretty good golfer, but, nothing exceptional."
Her putting was certainly atrocious when one considers that on the ace and the eagle she had NO putts but still had 119 for the tournament.
I don't see Bubbles winning an LPGA event this year or in the foreseeable future. She shot her bolt in the SBS when she couldn't win with a three shot lead with eight to play.
Her tournament play has become ultra-conservative. She might as well leave her driver in the locker room. It seems her goal is to make the cut, and then coast in, falling further and further behind with each subsequent round, and finishing double digit strokes from the lead.
Definitely not the stuff that champions are made of.
Alex USMC 1969-73
Bye, bye Bubbles, see ya next year!
Oh yes, those dreaded last five holes! Bubbles mental game under pressure is zero! I wonder what her excuse was this time...probably that she was unable to get 12 hours of sleep before teeing off. The pathetic saga continues.
and you guys thought I could not sing.
I agree that at least the top 30 should be playing in the open and I don't know why the format was changed. Seems as if the top 30 would make better sense for automatic qualification.
Try asking Florida Mike this question, who will probably tell you it's because the LPGA is run by communist Nazi terrorist scumwaffles that are all obsessed misogynitistic pedofilic curmudgeons and have intentions of conspiracy against all women athletes (especially Bu88les)..
Bubbles was ranked 16th on the money list and I am certain that the tickets sales are going to suffer because of some USGA official's stupid decision to change the LPGA money list. Like Forest Gump said, "stupid is as stupid does."
However, there were seven Koreans that qualified at Woodmont out of the 30...just what we need for the US Open!
If I was ranked 16th on the LPGA money list out of 150 LPGA members and I had to qualify for the US Open, I definitely would be pissed! What USGA bozo changed it from 30 to 10? Did they get the LPGA mixed up with the Futures Tour?
Yes, let's keep them kimchi eaters out, who cares how well they play. Say no to Koreans and yes to Wie!
Racist.
The LPGA does has made a few questionable decisions over the past few years, I was actually unaware that Bubbles even had to qualify. She has not won anything yet, but has played consistently well this year and now has a card. Same with Gulbis. I agree 100% with you that the absence of Bubbles and Gulbis will hurt attendance at the Open. Maybe if enough folks complain about the silly rule change, then they will change it back.
I am actually sad that Bubbles will not be playing. We will not be able to analyze her performance, listen to her semi-literate speeches and excuses, or read Florida Mike's hillarious diagnosis of all bloggers that do not like Bubbles conduct.
The week will not be as fun for sure.
LR
Another racist remark by Joe Cool.
Really not worth any further comment.
If Bu88les were such a great player, how come she failed to qualify?
Please, don't bring up any fatigue related excuses. Other ladies played on Sunday too and managed to qualify on Monday.
Or the case of Mina Harigae. Mina Harigae won a Futures tournament on Sunday, drove five hours, and then finished first at the qualifier on Monday! (Btw. Joe Cool, is Mina Harigae a "good" American-Asian ala Wie, or a bad Asian from Asia? Hmm?)
--Coolio
I am not celebrating a Wie free Open yet.
I would not be surprised if bj pulled some kind of stunt and the winless princess somehow ended up in the Open.
--Coolio
You definitely need a knuckle sandwich you piece of shit!
I certainly am not claiming that Bu88les is entitled to the Open without merit, but she does have three top 10 finishes this year (including one runner up), she has made every cut, she is currently 18th on the money list and ranked 41st on the Rolex Rankings.
I would have guessed that those accomplishments would be enough to exempt her from having to qualify.
The irony is that in past years she has received sponsor's exemptions, and in some cases really did not deserve to be in the field. Now that she has a card and is playing full time, she did not qualify and will be staying home.
As far as BJ pulling some strings....we shall see, stranger things have happened and I am sure he will try.
LR
So far I have never been accused of political correctness (even though I usually don't go around calling people p.o.s.). Whether I am a liberal or not depends on your point of view.
One thing is for sure, though -- I do believe in "survival of the fittest" (or "best" in this case). So, what is wrong with Korean girls playing in the LPGA/Open? And what is Joe Cool right about? That Koreans should not play in the LPGA/Open simply because of their citizenship? That they are here illegally?
--Coolio
No, actually, you are what you are. Whether or not you're a liberal is determined by your ideology, your beliefs, not my perspective. What I believe doesn't change the objective reality of what you are. The only qualification I will add is that "liberal" is a relative term, in that its definition does change based on the time and place. However, in 2009 America a liberal is understood to have certain characteristics, lacking and defective though they may be.
Joe cool is right about everything in those posts, and that is clear if you read his comments with an eye toward understanding them. Note that he didn't say Koreans should be banned from the Open. He simply lamented the fact that so many qualified for it. This is understandable, as it's well-established that robotic foreigners who do not and cannot interact with the fans don't exactly help the marketability of a tour. Also note that people do not say the same thing about Shigeki Maruyama on the men's tour, and Chi Chi Rodriguez was a hit. Why? Because they aren't automatons who walk around with a Terminator-like countenance. They are personable, charming and funny and put on a show for the fans.
Joe's point also was that high-ranked LPGA players (which can include foreigners) should be shown more respect; he was saying that it's ridiculous to limit exemptions to the LPGA top 10, thereby affording players who haven't "paid those dues" — many of whom are foreign — a greater chance of getting in the Open.
You should also realize that Joe's commentary was inspired by the fact that Bubbles, despite being ranked 16th on the tour, was denied automatic entry into the Open. And her racial background is precisely the same as that of the Korean players.
Now, on a personal level, I'm tickled pink that Bubbles won't be in the event. However, I'm also fair and would thus never deny that, in this case, she was victimized by an unfair system. (Ironic, too, isn't it? The girl who benefited from copious exemptions she didn't deserve now is denied one that, it could be reasonably said, she actually did earn. Of course, it still is ridiculous that she couldn't qualify.)
Lastly, there is nothing wrong with requiring people who work in our country to speak our language. It's what any sane nation would do . . . . Oops, my mistake, as that characterization ceased describing us a looooong time ago.
While I don't expect it to be forthcoming, you owe Joe Cool an apology.