READER LETTER

Michelle Wie and the media: WorldGolf.com readers cast blame

Michelle Wie's struggles on the golf course and with injury have helped keep the teen sensation on the front pages recently. In his recent column "The rise and fall of Nike star Michelle Wie: Time for an inquest, and self examination" WorldGolf.com Editor Jeff White took a look at who was to blame more for Wie's spectacular rise and current descent.

Afterward, WorldGolf.com readers were quick to give their opinions on what has gone wrong for Wie, and who's to blame in the delicate dance between the media and golf.

Maybe there should be a Wie inquest

Readers love Moe Norman and Natural Golf Reader: Michelle Wie undeserving of exemptions Michelle Wie withdraws from U.S. Women's Open LPGA Tour news updates at WorldGolf.com Is Wie's hype really the media's fault?

"I agree with the article for the most part, but must stress the one word in the article title, "inquest." Why does the LPGA Tour let Michelle's father get away with everything he's done. Look at other fathers, in other professional sports, who have been banned from coaching or even from being at events.

And, why not an inquest when she left the Ginn Tribute when in jeopardy of losing her spot on the tour for posting a mega-score. I believe the same would have happened at the U S Women's Open, had she not retired from that event.

I'm just sick of hearing about Michelle, and in seeing the preferential treatment she receives. Who else gets the sponsors exemptions and such, while never winning on the tour. Let's hear more about Lorena, Christie and Paula."

Bob W.

It's her looks, stupid

"Let's face it, she is a very pretty girl and very photogenic! She fits the bill for the media - young,tall, trim, exotic, and talented! You guys are a mark! She obviously still has a wrist injury from when her father stupidly told her to hit off of a cart path. What you dorks need to do is to report more on the Morgan Pressel's and Paula Creamer's of the world, but I guess they just aren't as hot to look as as Wie."

J. Blank

Yes, it's the media's fault

"I agree somewhat with the article and totally with the blame being on the media. The sports media "have" to create superstars because they don't have any stories if people develop normally. They found a high school student who has an amazing talent and tried to make her a mature veteran years before that was even possible. Was she driven by others? Perhaps! But the biggest and most unrelenting ones were the media themselves.

Never mind the injuries that she has suffered trying to live up to the press clippings that media, only interested in the "story", created. Let the lady grow up and go through the struggles that come with professional sports without being held up as a failure if she doesn't match the expectations of someone who doesn't really matter -- the media! She will succeed without them because when it comes right down to it, the media aren't even good enough to carry her golf bag let alone call her a failure!"

Hurricane

Too much too soon?

"Michelle tried to become a "Tiger Woods" instantly. Although she has the talent, she should have continued thru the amateur ranks and and maybe college. She tried to conquer both the the Men & Women Tours before graduating from High School. Was she trying to buy her way on the LPGA, with the help of Nike? I saw here at the 2006 US Open in Newport, RI and have to say, she was impressive in relation to my game."

Jim Coccio

Wie's sponsors and parents deserve blame, too

"Let's not forget Nike & Sony and their part in all of this. They were the oil that made the machine go. Then there are her parents and handlers; they should carry the most guilt. At some point this little girl will have to grow up and make her on decisions. The day that Wie saids she is sorry for all of her past errors and that from now on she will earn her way through hard work and not hype is the day that Wie will become an adult."

Joe Wilson

July 20, 2007

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