News
Wie: Why?
I’m scratching my head so much over Michelle Wie that the neighbors have complained about the smoke.
Speaking of smoke — we’re all overcome by Michelle’s second-hand smoke, as she inhales and exhales the smoldering fumes swirling in the heat of her own personal spotlight. And we find it difficult to tear ourselves away from the mesmerizing reality show of her repeated George Plimpton-like feats of futility. I mean, how many times do you beat your head against the wall before the wall wins…unless you find pleasure in beating your head against the wall?
I just had a thought: Why hasn’t a male golfer asserted his machismo and played an LPGA event in an effort to wreak havoc on his way to a huge (and certainly inevitable) win? I’ll tell you why: because he wouldn’t want to end up shopping at Fred Funk’s Skirt Emporium. Oh yes, the hapless male pro who took on the LPGA would lose. Lorena would kick his butt and the Pink Panther would eat him for lunch. And, despite what he would say, he’d be humiliated. So why isn’t Michelle humiliated by her frequent smackdowns at the hands of the PGA?
Frankly, I’m puzzled. Her illogical, odd, and fantastic choices have me guessing wildly, as you’ve no-doubt guessed yourself. But down what other path am I to traverse? Please, send me a logical thread I’ve missed and I’ll knit a new reality…but until then, I’m wearing what I’m given. This sweater has holes.
I’m no Freud, but I think she must be either (a) an obsessive attention-addict, or (b) intensely phobic about losing to her peers. No, I don’t think that’s an extreme thing to say. I know that many people forgive her and make excuses for her, as if she was unaware of her own mind or existence. I don’t buy in to painting her as a victim, either at the hands of her managers or the scoring tent personnel, who were unwitting conspirators in her latest effort to avoid defeat. It appears that she’s so afraid of failure and of not living up to expectations of perfection on the LPGA that she’s made a career out of avoiding defeat by attempting the impossible on the PGA Tour, where it is impossible for her to truly lose…and win. You have to compete and strive to win in order to lose. She’s shown no evidence recently that she is interested in doing that.
I’ll just bet that someone must have said to her at one vulnerable moment: "You’re a great player, Michelle…for a woman, of course." And now the poor talented young woman is held captive by her psyche, oblivious that she’s wrapped up in a Stockholm Syndrome scenario with her own ego.
Perhaps she golf’s version of the Peter Principle, only instead of slowly rising to her level of incompetence, she has willingly begun there.
Whatever it is, to me it smacks of a fear of competition and of losing. There’s one way to tell. Turn over one of her golf shoes. What do you see stuck to the spikes? Loose turf, or lost nerves?
I think she has become one of the most disturbing disappointments in the history of golf. (a) Because of her myriad golfing failures, and (b) because of the incredible wealth she has accumulated because of her enigmatic choices.
There’s still hope, though, because there is still time, according to her age. But bad habits—of body and mind—can shroud a lifetime. Hopefully, she can be rehabilitated.
What’s your diagnosis? My prognosis is that she’ll fully wake up when it is almost too late. Unless, of course, winning on the LPGA is not her life’s goal. If not, return to the beginning of this article.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall
|
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
- LIKE10
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Vincenzi’s 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson betting preview: International talent to shine
As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
- LIKE16
- LEGIT10
- WOW3
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP3
- OB0
- SHANK4
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment3 weeks ago
Jason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
jas
Aug 11, 2008 at 11:11 pm
She always thought she was better than her peers and other females on the LPGA. She isn’t and never has been. It’s amazing there are still people out there who believe she is on her way to greatness against men and women.
body electric
Aug 6, 2008 at 8:55 am
I feel that her parents understand her situation and are banking on the more cash scenarios right now. If you think about it Wie is hot when she plays poorly or does crazy stuff. The media will eat up anything she does and that’s what making her pockets fat. Think about it would you want to be yesterday’s news or headline news all the time?
Nash Carr
Aug 5, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Wie has never truly WON A TON at any level, her perception of herself is that she is too good, when in fact, she is mediocre at best, even against her peers!
Shame on the mens tour for allowing her more than her quota of exemptions, which should have ended aft her 1st Sony Open.
Even John Daly would be a better draw for tickets, he misses the cut just like MIchelle, but sell more tix Thur/Fri!
Golferman
Aug 5, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Michelle Wie is possibly down to her last attempts at making the “Cut” at a PGA event, but more importantly she is down to her last shread of dignity. Even if she does make a “Cut” who will really care if it is her 9th, 10th, or 20th attempt at trying to do so? I certainly won’t!
The only way this could get worse = Michelle regularly hangs out with Brittney Spears and Lindsay Lohan!
Tim Schoch
Aug 5, 2008 at 1:31 pm
8, that’s great stuff!
You should submit articles here, perhaps under the title The Golf Oracle, or Golfstrodamus, about where we are headed with this nutty game and its preposterous players. I just love it when an announcer will call White-Bread Phil a “swashbuckler” or Adam Scott “wily,” or John Daly an “Everyman.” (Is Everyman really a low-brow, schmaltz-slinging alcoholic denied by everyone?) But Wie and Limbaugh? LOL! Why not! I’m not so sure she’s not being more ridiculous right now! Think about it, 8.
Tim
8thehardway
Aug 5, 2008 at 11:47 am
Yogi once observed, ‘The future ain’t what it used to be.’ Unfortunately, neither is Michelle.
Divorce becomes a matter of course as Michelle starts marrying the only guys she’s ever around – male golfers. Michelle met Ian back in July 2006; she was playing well in the Evian Masters, one of only three confirmed sightings of her at an LPGA event; Ian Woosnam was also playing well at the Deutsche Bank tournament in Germany, one of only two confirmed sightings of his name on a leader board during this century. They emailed congratulations to each other, met and married four years later… too quickly, it turned out. Ian divorces Michelle because her married name – Wie-Woosnam – causes 5-foot, four inch Ian too much grief at the pub. Michelle is inconsolable but her parents are ecstatic, having always said that 6-foot Michelle had married beneath her.
Her social climbing parents insist Michelle marry David Duval for his name. Michelle Duval-Wie sounds so… so… French, like Maurice Chevalier. Dave divorces Michelle after his nickname “the double Ds†becomes a double entendre and fans hold a You-Tube contest for creative inflections.
Husband number three leaves after his kiddy comedy comeback show is threatened by potty-mouthed seven year olds yelling Wee Wie-Herman during commercial breaks.
Devastated, Michelle turns to politics. She runs for Governor of Hawaii and her first speech “Wie, the people…†infatuates Rush Limbaugh who marries her in a fit of rhetorical frenzy… “In order to form a more perfect union,†as he says in his wedding vows. They divorce two weeks later while honeymooning in Africa after LimbaughWie is elected President of Zimbabwe on a write-in vote. “But they’re Bush-men,†weeped a disconsolate Michelle. “You’re thinking of the Kalahari,†replied an exasperated Rush. “That’s what you get for cutting geography class and sneaking out to play golf.â€
JP
Aug 4, 2008 at 8:57 pm
There are so many things that are disturbing about Wie not the least of which is that she continues to “attempt” to play with the men. I have no problem with a woman playing PGA events, IF she has proven herselp a consistant and dominating winner on the LPGA tour. Two come to mind…Annika and Lorena. They have proven that they can win and no doubt would be at least somewhat competitive on the PGA tour. Wie on the other hand has not proven her ability to beat her peers let alone compete in the PGA arena, and when is Nike going to reign her in and stop giving her sponsors exemptions to events that she is enevitably going to fail at. Nike has to realize that their investment is going to eventually be synonymous with failure and make them look stupid for throwing so much money at failure. I mean she plays the second hand events any way and she still stinks it up. All the grade A PGA players were at bridgestone and she couldnt even make a showing at reno. I just don’t get it. Why?
Tim Schoch
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Don’t disagree, J, but there’s more here than just what we think. It’s what she says and does. When someone heads down a given path, we can rightly assume it is by choice, and it’s only natural to speculate where it might end up. No one is saying her career is over–but she is headed down the wrong path, IMO. Also, I’m getting a strong feeling of deja vu, as if all of this has happened before. Hmmm, did we forget those lessons…or did she?
J Foote
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I do agree with many here that these attempts at making a cut on the PGA are rediculous. But to say that her career is over is a bit short sighted. She’s only 18 years old. Look at somebody like VJ, he didn’t become a genuine superstar until his 40’s. I think we were all expecting her to do something Tiger like very early on. Yes she’s becoming a side show, yes she’s being mismanaged but she has so many years left in her career. It’s barely started and we’re saying it’s over.
I agree with Pat Kozacik, the best thing for her would be to spend time with a proven champion. Get her head straight and soak up all their experience.
E Schuster
Aug 3, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I really believe she played this week because she had no where else to play. Has no status on any Tour at all, didn’t want to go to the British Open because she’d have to qualify first. The kid might also have some contractual mumbo jumbo in that big contract with Nike that gives her a bonus for just playing two days then vacationing for two days. I almost feel bad for her, notice I said almost, as she’s achieving the freak show status I forsaw three or four years ago. Say what you will, the girl has immense talent. She just needs to play somewhere on a regular basis. Suggestion to the Wies’ back up and start over. Head for the Futures tour. Play regularly. Learn to kick butt. Get Tour card. Play regularly there. Learn to kick butt. Enough already with this half a**ed career plan.
Francois
Aug 3, 2008 at 7:56 pm
It’s a free world. If Michelle wants to go for the big purse, she should be able to without the criticism she is getting. Questions are: Who is she doing this for? What is this doing for her confidence? Is she helping or hindering the LPGA by playing and failing on the PGA tour? Maybe she needs to take a break and think this over.
FR
bsd
Aug 3, 2008 at 6:22 pm
She needs to get away from her dad and start taking advice from someone who knows what they are doing. She might make money in the short term making appearances at men’s tournaments, but if she doesn’t start winning soon it’s over. She needs to learn how to win on the LPGA first.
Tim Schoch
Aug 3, 2008 at 5:45 pm
It is amazing, isn’t it? She seems so confident and matter-of-fact … no, I take that back. She seems passionless about her choices. Well, it will be interesting to see if she ever dents the LPGA. I hope she tries, at least as hard as golf-bunny Gulbis has. Gulbis is not as talented as Wie, but Gulbis has the fire, the work ethic, and love for the LPGA. Guts can lead to glory. You can’t coast on potential.
Big J
Aug 3, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Still amazed that this charade continues, and I’m sure I’ll be even more amazed the next time she accepts a PGA Tour sponsor’s invite.
Michael
Aug 3, 2008 at 1:08 am
Playing at a too high level too early is not good for your self confidence. You have to succeed at lower levels first. This is obviously all about money and mismanagement.
She is gone, mentally I am afraid.
Pat Kozacik
Aug 3, 2008 at 1:04 am
I see no reason what so ever for Michelle Wie to play on the PGA Tour. She has not won a single women’s event let alone getting anywhere near the top of the pyramid of ladies golf. Annika deserved a shot to play a PGA event, she had reached the peak of women’s golf. Wie has not enjoyed the level of success that Annika Sorenstam has and may never get to. Michelle Wie’s handlers have decided that becoming a spectacle is better for her career than following the tried and true path of playing against the right competition.
guy travell
Aug 2, 2008 at 9:25 am
True athletes likes to challenge themselves. She was given the opportunity and took it. Perhaps Michelle thought that playing with guys will make her game better. who knows. I’d jump at the chance to play any sports with someone better than me.
Everyone needs to give her a break, shes only 18 and golf is a lifetime sport. It did’nt help the way she was dis-qualified by LPGA in her last tournament. To wait until she played her full Saturday round before announcing that she is being disqualified, can be easily misconstrued as using her to boost ticket sales and attendance. Especially since the scorecard thing happened on Friday. There has never been such an ugly disqualification in the history of golf. Maybe she needed some time away from the LPGA.
One thing I know for sure, she does not deserve the venemous criticism shes getting from seemingly everybody….. here and every where else.
bobsuruncle
Aug 2, 2008 at 9:09 am
Because she’s become a side show, I’ve almost given up making any comments about her God-given talents being laid to waste, of wanton parental guidance, of a spoilt, immature and unfocused teenager, etc.
Now that financial security is not an issue for her or her family, she should focus on building a winning legacy that she and her (future) children and grandchildren can be proud of.
I wish you good luck, young lady.
Anders
Aug 1, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Streuth! Just watching the cream of the crop women golfers at the British Open this week. Even the majority of them would struggle on the mens tour so why the hell is Michelle Why(?) I mean Wie not playing?!!! More Bizarre decisions
8thehardway
Aug 1, 2008 at 7:43 am
There’s no psychological definition for loser, but there are plenty for parents who guide their offspring into actions ill suited to a positive self-image. If your child brings you wealth and fame, it’s very tempting to keep the gravy train on the same track it’s been traveling by toot-tooting the familiar childhood mantra of the Little Engine That Could. Fawning agents and convincing parents on the one hand, on the other a youngster continually trying to please by attempting a contrived and overblown feat… making the cut at a men’s tournament.
It’s great that Michelle can beat a lot of men but so can a successful dominatrix, for whom making ‘a cut’ is nothing unusual. Maybe Michelle should… but I digress. What’s the big deal about being better than exactly half the men? Any woman will tell you that’s nothing to crow about and when she becomes a woman maybe Michelle will agree.
Chris B.
Jul 31, 2008 at 11:01 pm
What part of LPGA doesn’t she understand? Ladies Professional Golfers Association. And far as why men don’t play or tried to play the LPGA, The PGA is for men, maybe we need to add a M in front of it so people get it. And as far as Wie being a great golfer, Gimmie a break!!!!!!!!!!!! Great men and women professional golfers have majors on the record. What has she done? Her amateur record is not good either, she never won any
“major” events. She is page 9 news, stop beating a dead horse.
Tim Schoch
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Absolutely agree. Right now, her parents are her managers. No offense Mom and Dad, but Michelle is too good a golfer to be only a sideshow exhibition.
Ian Tessier
Jul 31, 2008 at 8:07 pm
She’s in great need of personal and professional management. It would be a terrible shame to let that raw talent go to waste. Stop rushing her, start training her. A year with Dottie Pepper or Anika would be extremely worthwhile.