Who's more mentally gifted - Wie or Sergio?

[supercow]

Here's a toughie. Who is more gifted (mentally), Michelle Wie or Sergio Garcia?
This includes both on and off the golf course. :) I honestly can't tell at the moment.

Binh.

[Rafcin]

I don't think Michelle's problem is her mental game, it's more in the mechanics. Sergio is a veteran on the tour (respectively), he's defintely behind in the mental aspect of the game...

[allin]

I took a guess, but really don't know. Michelle appears to be more book smart. Golf smart? I think that Michelle is more willing to learn. But Sergio may be the more natural instinctive player. Emotionally in 5 years no contest, Michelle.

[thehillgolfer]

what does mentally gifted mean?

[Rafcin]

Originally Posted by thehillgolfer

what does mentally gifted mean?

being able to make correct decision uder pressure, being able to execute required shot under the pressure, being able to "close the deal" on the course. All of these guys(and gals) can hit a dime on a range and drain 10 10ft putts in a row on the putting green... Strong mental game allows them to do it on the course while in competition, while in contention...
Btw - if you look it up in a encyclopedia - you'll see Tiger's picture under "mentally gifted"

[Wood]

I'd take Sergio, broken English and all, in a, like um, grammar contest.

[Rafcin]

Originally Posted by Wood

I'd take Sergio, broken English and all, in a, like um, grammar contest.

C'mon, we're talking only about mental aspect, not grammar or wet t-shirt competition Focus Wood and stop making fun of my girlfriend ( who is by the way - again on the pace of falling 2 strokes short of victory at the Evian Master.... )

[cdriver]

Michelle Wie will eventually have it all. She already has a great golf physique and that will only get better as she matures. She already seems pretty mature for a 16 yr old, so I think she will, again, only mature and get better.

She will certainly mature in her understanding of what it takes to win in the professional ranks.

I keep having to tell myself she is only 16... I mean can you ever remember when another 16 yr old fostered such expectations? Even Tiger at 16 was only a promise of things to come. She is way ahead of the pack here.

[Wood]

Originally Posted by Rafcin

C'mon, we're talking only about mental aspect, not grammar or wet t-shirt competition Focus Wood and stop making fun of my girlfriend ( who is by the way - again on the pace of falling 2 strokes short of victory at the Evian Master.... )

Sorry Rafcin. Couldn't let that one go.... I'll try to remain more focused on the discussion at hand. I'd take Gulbis in the wet t-shirt contest. Damnit, I can't get my head straight. Where is the ritilin.......

In terms of the mental side of golf, I'd still take Sergio. He, like many before him, have failed to match Tiger at the end of a tourney. I don't think this makes him an idiot, he just played bad, and putted bad, as is his modus operandi. He also had the misfortune of trying to do it from 1 stroke back. He is a proven winner, just not a winner in the majors, yet. I'm not saying Wie is not GOING to be a more mentally fit golfer over her career than he is over his, but his experience alone gives him the edge RIGHT NOW. It wasn't really long ago that a lot of the expectations that are being put on Wie were being balanced on Sergio too, as a phenom coming through the ranks.

I don't think you get to be the #9 player IN THE WORLD, and having a 10-3-2 Ryder Cup record by not being mentally strong.

This posts has all the potential in the world for being quoted/dissected/hammered in replies, but I'll be thinkin about that wet t-shirt contest anyway. Have a great weekend!