Time to Bag it, Michelle
September 17th, 2006 by Michael StephensThe worst thing that can be said about a professional golfer is that he or she is irrelevant, and that’s the perfect word for what Michelle Wie has become in her dubious ventures against male pros.
Fans who just last year were convinced Wie, 16, could make a cut in a men’s event are now reduced to shaking their heads and asking how badly Wie missed the cut.
In consecutive weeks going up against the men, once in Europe and this week at the 84 Lumber Classic on the PGA Tour, Wie finished dead last. At the 84 Lumber, Wie finished 36 holes with scores of 77 and 81, an unimpressive 14-over-par effort.
The stunning thing about Wie is that just as her play in women’s golf seems to get better, she diverts her attention to this ridiculous notion of competing with the PGA field. Her play then regresses with each horrendous performance in a men’s event.
Reasons for her struggles abound. Some say the 6′1″ Hawaiian’s swing has become too mechanical under the tutelage of David Leadbetter. Others say she’s picked poor courses for her PGA aspirations, or is simply trying too hard. Regardless, it’s a joke. An irrelevant one.
What have we learned from Wie’s play this year?
- Against women, Wie is a threat to win any tournament. She will be one of the favorites in the Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert next month — assuming she doesn’t blow it off to get embarrassed against men again.
- Few people care about Wie playing against men, and she will not gain credibility until makes a PGA Tour cut — which she is clearly not even close to capable of.
- As a result of her insistence on trying, Wie is losing support among even the most staunch defenders of her decision to play against men. PGA Tour golfers are starting to lose patience when it comes to hearing about (and being asked about) the teen golfer who finishes last in the field.
In short, Michelle, it’s time to reassess. Until you can flat-out dominate the women’s game, there is no excuse for this ongoing stunt. Give it up.
