Michelle Wie made the field for the upcoming U.S. Women's Open the old-fashioned way on Monday, taking the path that Team Wie tried to avoid at every opportunity the last several years. She earned it.
Without any special perks or exceptions, Wie shot a 70-67 at two different courses in Maryland, giving her the second best score on the day against a field that included many fringe LPGA players who hadn't qualified yet. For the first time in a long time, the first time really since the days she first captured the public's attention in that carefully constructed hype blitz of her early teens, Wie didn't rely on a sponsor's exemption, a rule that was reworked specifically for her or a free pass.
She actually played her way in. None of the more established players on the LPGA Tour can moan about Wie being in the U.S. Women's Open this year. She deserves her spot. And that's really been the biggest grip about Wie from the very few who never bought the hype from the beginning. She kept being given things because of a puffed-up legend that had little basis in reality.
Wie wasn't given a spot this time though. The United States Golf Association deserves some credit for finally treating Wie like any other golfer. At least before she arrives in Minnesota.
Wie deserves even more credit for her honest answer in tonight's press conference on whether she watched any of the LPGA Championship over the weekend.
"Actually I was kind of busy watching the NBA playoffs," Wie told reporters in Maryland. "I’m a big fan of Kevin Garnett."
Wie wasn't the only one who stayed away from the TV for Carolyn Bivens' rethought product. You can expect numbers from this last weekend that would make even hockey ill.
Funny that the LPGA hasn't sent out a press release yet with its Nielsen numbers for a major.
Of course, Wie's earned her laugh this time with her play. And it's doubtful she'll be skewed for that little LPGA Championship diss the way Tiger Woods was for his hockey dismissal. That takes passionate fans.
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