The worst kept secret in golf - that Michelle Wie's first tournament as a pro will be the Samsung World Championship starting Oct 13 - is long past rumor stage. Golf World is reporting that Wie could officially announce her new pro status as early as next week (think you'll see a few swooshes at that press conference?)

Once all the Ts are crossed on those mega hype-built endorsement contracts and Michelle Wie goes from closet pro to official one, things get interesting. For while it was long fanciful to argue that Wie was a 15-year-old amateur above criticism (LeBron James didn't try to do that in his high school Hummer H2 days), this removes all shades of gray.

No more citing that Michelle Wie is "concentrating on high school" to explain away her inability to actually win. No more saying she's only 15 or in the case of that first pro tournament, only 16. She's a pro. She gets judged like anyone else out there playing for big money.

It should be interesting and great for golf.

But, why do I think the Wie maniacs are getting awfully nervous about now?

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