Looks like Michelle Wie decided...

**crazy_horst** · October 30, 2007

not to finish last at the Casio World Open this year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/new...v=ap&type;=lgns

A smart decision (finally), but it begs the question: are Michelle's best days behind her?

pippin2717 · October 30, 2007

Wie has gotten too much attention from the beginning. She is a whinny girl who thinks that the PGA Tour will hand her spots in tournaments forever, just because of publicity and nothing else. She has shown that at certain times, she can play well, but she has not shown that she can do it over a long period of time. I think she quit playing for a few years, finish college, and then maybe start competitive golf again. I'm tired of hearing the Golf Channel talk about her when she is not playing good. Wie should earn her press time the way tiger did, playing his ass off and winning tournaments, especially majors.

**alf174** · October 30, 2007

IMHO, she's got a lot of talent that won't go to waste but right now, and for the next couple of years till she's done with college, its a mistake for her handlers or the press to feature her in the golf spotlight. 5 years from now I wouldn't be surprised to see her come around.

E.Hall · October 30, 2007

Even if she does turn her career around, she's not gaining many friends among her peers (or fans) with the lack of class she's displayed over the past year. I think she needs to "grow up" a bit - maybe college will help.

**themasteroncbs** · October 30, 2007

I think it's a real shame how her career has been handled thus far by supposed responsible adults, and it was certainly ill-advised the way she's played in so many men's events when she's certainly not able to compete with them. With all that said, I think that the wrist injury she suffered last year is clearly the culprit for all of her awful play this season, once she gets back to full strength I think she'll be competing for LPGA titles once again.

**Shooter McGavin** · October 30, 2007

it was certainly ill-advised the way she's played in so many men's events when she's certainly not able to compete with them.

She can't even compete with the best on the LPGA. Anika dominated that tour and not even she could compete in the men's events. And Wie wants to play in the Masters? She can't even win the Evian Masters. What makes her think that she deserves to play in the Masters? She needs to become the number one player on the LPGA before she sets her sights on playing with the men. Hopefully she mature A LOT at college.

**Jeepthrills** · October 30, 2007

She did show that she could compete on the LPGA Tour in 06'. In her first 23 LPGA events she finished in the top 20 in 19. She was in 4th in another one before being disqualified. I believe her average finish in the four majors was second only to Anikka (3, 5, 3 & 26). In two of those she finished 1 shot out of playoffs. She injured both of her wrists and came back too soon. Everyone has to remember she only turned 18 two weeks ago. If she can get healthy and get her head straight or more importantly the heads of those in her immediate circle she can still be a force.

She has made some huge blunders, but many teenagers do stupid things. I know that when I was 17, if you gave me millions of dollars and then scrutinized my every move I would have messed up way worse than her.

Assuming her injuries have not permanently effected her game, there is no reason she can't get back to where she was and more. There will always be imense pressure on her to play well. She needs to grow up a little and try to get herself ready to play next year and beyond.

I do have one question. Was she eligible for the LPGA Q-School this year? She was not 18 when the sectional qualifying started. How does that work?

**KIDDEREK** · October 30, 2007

Michelle Wie is so annoying. Shouldn't she win at least one women's tournament as a pro before she can play in the men's tournaments?

I understand that she's just a kid who has probably been pushed and pulled by everyone around her. Now it's time for her to enjoy college and grow up a little.

Hopefully, her best days are to come.

**g-funk13** · October 31, 2007

She has made some huge blunders, but many teenagers do stupid things. I know that when I was 17, if you gave me millions of dollars and then scrutinized my every move I would have messed up way worse than her.

I agree. Tiger went pro in '96 at the age of 20. This was after Junior, Amateur, and College play.

Wie went Pro at 16. Just old enough to drive a car. Still in High School. Her My Space is probably as important to her as her swing is. And it should be that way. She tied for 3rd in the Women's Open. . . she'll have a career.

**gbk56** · October 31, 2007

Wie has gotten too much attention from the beginning. She is a whinny girl who thinks that the PGA Tour will hand her spots in tournaments forever, just because of publicity and nothing else. She has shown that at certain times, she can play well, but she has not shown that she can do it over a long period of time. I think she quit playing for a few years, finish college, and then maybe start competitive golf again. I'm tired of hearing the Golf Channel talk about her when she is not playing good. Wie should earn her press time the way tiger did, playing his ass off and winning tournaments, especially majors.

Not sure what she ever whinned about. Seems to me it is everyone else on the tour and the fans that do all the whinning about her exemptions and preferrential treatment.

**alf174** · October 31, 2007

Not sure what she ever whinned about. Seems to me it is everyone else on the tour and the fans that do all the whinning about her exemptions and preferrential treatment.

Agreed; I've heard lots of whining on the Golf Channel and golf boards but can't recall ever hearing it directly from her.

***iacas*** · October 31, 2007

She did show that she could compete on the LPGA Tour in 06'. In her first 23 LPGA events she finished in the top 20 in 19. She was in 4th in another one before being disqualified. I believe her average finish in the four majors was second only to Anikka (3, 5, 3 & 26). In two of those she finished 1 shot out of playoffs. She injured both of her wrists and came back too soon.

She beat Annika handily if you consider a one-year stretch that included the prior year's British:

http://thesandtrap.com/lpga/sick_of_wie_whiners I think she came back too soon and her parents are WAY too involved. It's that simple. I don't expect to hear much from her for the next 2-3 years, but after college, hopefully she's learned to ditch her parents and can get back to golf, which I'm not even entirely sure she actually ENJOYS.

**NM Golf** · October 31, 2007

As much as I have detested Michelle Wie's actions over the past several years, I thank it would be foolish to not acknowledge she has some talent. To compare her to Tiger Woods is unfair. Tiger was tossed into the limelight at a later age, and the big difference is he had a solid set of parental figures behind him that had only one thing on their minds, do what's best for Tiger.

Michelle Wie's father is her worst enemy. He has so completely botched managing her early golf career that her future is at best uncertain. Earl Woods stood behind Tiger and supported him in whatever direction he wanted to go. Earl never did anything that was not in his son's best interest. B.J. Wie is an idiot. I don't think the guy has ever stood back and took into consideration what was best for his daughter.

Hopefully, Michelle Wie can recover from her rocky beginning, mature a little, and continue her career as a FEMALE golfer. Gone should be the thoughts about competing with the men until she has proven she can even compete with the women.

Gone also should be any advice given to her by her father. She needs to take some of that Nike money. Pay him off, and hire an agent and manager that have a clue how to handle a professional athlete.

**FortAsel** · October 31, 2007

I think Wie's attitude of being pro at the age of 16 was not a very smart play. She needs a lot more of experience in order to be able to compete at the highest level. If she wants to get a lot of experience, she should try the Ladies European Tour. It's not so challenging, and she might some bennefit from that... But still, she's just 17/18... not old enought to be a golfing super-legend

**Jeepthrills** · October 31, 2007

I think Wie's attitude of being pro at the age of 16 was not a very smart play. She needs a lot more of experience in order to be able to compete at the highest level. If she wants to get a lot of experience, she should try the Ladies European Tour. It's not so challenging, and she might some bennefit from that... But still, she's just 17/18... not old enought to be a golfing super-legend

If my kid had her talent and major companies were knocking down the door to offer millions of dollars I would tell him to jump at it. She made as much as 20 million in her first year as a pro. As long as the demands were not too outrageous it would be foolish as a parent to say no. However, the first thing her dad should have done is find an agent that handles young athletes. I'm sure there are plenty on the tennis circuit that would have helped. Unfortunately her dad is an ass.

If she had never had the wrist injuries, do you think we would be having this discussion? I would bet that she would have made enough on tour this year to have full time status in 2008. She made enough in 2006 to qualify. Unfortunately she was not old enough in 2007 to be a member yet so it didn't matter.

**crazy_horst** · October 31, 2007

If she had never had the wrist injuries, do you think we would be having this discussion?

Her play went in the crapper long before her "injuries". Just an aside.

**crazy_horst** · October 31, 2007

If my kid had her talent and major companies were knocking down the door to offer millions of dollars I would tell him to jump at it. She made as much as 20 million in her first year as a pro. As long as the demands were not too outrageous it would be foolish as a parent to say no. However, the first thing her dad should have done is find an agent that handles young athletes. I'm sure there are plenty on the tennis circuit that would have helped. Unfortunately her dad is an ass.

In your own way, however, you make the same mistake. The first thing to do is to ask your child if that's what they want. I assume Mr. and Mrs. Wie did not ask Michelle. And you have to explain to them what they're getting into. Do you want the press breathing down your neck 24/7? Do you want the pressure of having the biggest endorsements? Do you want the scrutiny?

This is golf, not football. Your next play isn't likely to be your last. Michelle, at 16, has earning potential in the game of golf for, what, 30 years? What's the rush? Why put the pressure on the kid? Let her play - IF SHE WANTS TO - and let her go to college - IF SHE WANTS TO - then let her play the Tour - IF SHE WANTS TO. I get the feeling Michelle's wishes and desires weren't part of the equation. I think BJ saw her as a cash cow, and that's just pathetic. Sure, they've got $20 million, but what if he's ruined his daughter's life in the process?

**Jeepthrills** · October 31, 2007

In your own way, however, you make the same mistake. The first thing to do is to ask your child if that's what they want. I assume Mr. and Mrs. Wie did not ask Michelle. And you have to explain to them what they're getting into. Do you want the press breathing down your neck 24/7? Do you want the pressure of having the biggest endorsements? Do you want the scrutiny?

However, what if she still hurts her wrist while jogging and then plays the way she did in 2007. Good bye 20 million. I also said that I would find someone who is good at helping young athletes. If he said he didn't want to turn pro I would respect his decision. At the same time I would tell him that there are no guarantees in life.

Her play went in the crapper long before her "injuries". Just an aside.

She hurt the wrist in January 2007 and then fell while jogging in February and hurt the other one. Her 2006 season was just fine for someone that could only play 7 times on tour. She played in a few men's tournaments where she did not do well but her last 5 LPGA tournaments before the injuries were T3, T5, T2, T26 and 17. Add in the two before that which were T2 and T3 (both Majors) and she was far from the crapper before getting hurt.

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Looks like Michelle Wie decided...

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1. Are Michelle Wie's best days as a golfer over?

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