by Jimbo
Jeff,
You write as if we had short memories or none at all! I love to say I told you so! So I'll say it again - I told you so! Yes, the media is part to blame, if we choose to believe what is written instead of what actually happens.
Nike is also to blame. Her parents (father), Sony, LPGA, PGA and tournament sponsors - but don't blame her - She had it figured out! She found out early she could reap rewards without winning. She didn't have to. All the above mentioned were quick to give exemptions, endorsements, world rankings (#2) and all the trappings of success without ever having achieved a thing. And the media had most people fooled into believing she would shape the future of golf. A large task for a 13 year old child - Don't you think?
Making the Woods comparisons were unfair and unfortunate. It's time to take the high road and leave Michelle by the curb like yesterday's news (pun intended). As for who has the harder row to hoe? The media or Wie? Give me a break!
... NEXT VICTIM PLEASE!!!

by Derek O'Brien
Dear Sirs,
I wrote a letter to my local paper 8 months ago stating that "the game of golf was becoming discredited and it was time for the game's administrators to act" over the irksome and never ending spectacle of Michells Wie playing in mens tournament after mens tournament, invariably coming last and/or missing cut after cut and so on. I am a great believer in facts and earning the right to play in such tournaments would, it seem to me, be based on merit(i.e performance, record etc etc). In the case ot the great Annika Sorenstam there couls be no such doubts, but even in Annika's case after a couple of distinguished efforts, she had the good grace to admit that it was not a particularly good idea and has subsequently and with dignity decided not to pursue this objective in future.
This is a golfer of great stature who has won well over 80 tournaments in her illustrious professional career, a recent hand injury career once completely overcome I believe will see her rise once again to the top of the women's rankings (she is now 3rd).
My point is simply why has a golfer who has not won a single tournament in her professional career in nearly 2 years been allowed to get away with such self indulgence which has ultimately brought the sport into disrepute, blaming the media is okay but then they are fickle and false by nature, where have the very talented Miss Wie's advisors been in all this, apart from cashing in on her short term popularity did they not have some sense to ensure Michelle concentrated at ALL times on what put her in the public eye in the 1st place, i.e. practising on golf, golf, golf to make her into one of the greats, a la Annika, when she could have matured as a person like the equally great Tiger and they, too, could have benefitted.
it is all a very sad spectacle and many questions remain unnanswered.
Derek O'Brien

by Barb
Very well stated, Derek.

by Don
Well said, when will we learn that children are just that - CHILDREN.

by Gloria
This is but another example of an immature athlete not receiving or following good advice from a mature and interested adult on the real world. In this case, because of her age, she may find it more difficult to recover from what has befallen her. Hopefully, she can receive and accept good advice from people really interested in making a woman out of this girl.

by dereko'brien
well said Gloria

by William Tweedle
It is a celebrity-driven news media. It is everywhere. How is a new motion picture considered news on the local 6-PM newscast. Yet weekly they will feature a new-release movie with the star of-the-day. It is prevalent in other sports, so it has to happen in golf, especially in the LPGA with so many young, blond attractive players. Ultimately, the blame goes to the American public who cannot get enough of celebrities. Just look in the TV Guide and see the programming. I don't see a change anytime soon.

by Brian Mac Millan
I think it's the media that's to blame. Nothing has been said for awhile. You obviously know the media has to share the lion's share of the blame---So why ask your question in the first place? This is just your way of stirring the pot again.
As for Michelle Wie---she will be back I hope---she has the talent----but holy geeze give the kid a fighting chance will you. 16 years old and is expected to act and preform like a seasoned vet.
With respect to the media!

by Claude Rancourt
Can you expect something else from Wie ?
Can somebody survive to be compared to Tiger Woods at 15 years old ?
it was just a marketing blitz but it is not the way to make a winner.
I think she will survive and may be the «system» will give her a second chance... hope so ..
Claude

by Jimmyc
Give this girl a break, when she starts to win it will snowball and she will go down as one of the best ever. She has very special talent. The media is to quick to deify and then crucify athletes. Its very hard to win a tournament, which is why some great golfers have only a few to their resume. The talent is that good in professional golf. In ten years, she will just be entering her prime.