88? What 88? It's the PGA For Me!

Filed in archive Golf News on June 1, 2007

Courtesy: Associated Press

A week after I wrote that the only one commenting on Michelle Wie's future plans in golf is her swing coach, David Leadbetter, Michelle pipes up.

Wie spoke after her embarrassing return to the LPGA at the Ginn Tribute in South Carolina on Thursday.

The wrist injury incurred back in January flared up again and she decided to take what she called "caution measures" and withdraw from the tournament.

She also said, "There is no place to go but up". And that's very true. The bigger issue is just when that is going to occur.

By the way, she shot an 88 in her one and only round at the Ginn Tribute so, clearly, she's way off form. Not surprising after a long layoff.

But back in January, doctors told her not to practice and I wonder if she followed their orders?

That 88 included a 10 on the par 5 third hole after her tee shot hit a car and rolled down a drain!! What are the chances??

There is a rule on the LPGA Tour that any non-tour player who shoots 88 or higher is banned from the tour for the balance of the year. Wie was two bogeys (or one double bogey) away from that disaster.

At any rate, the best comments came earlier this week from Michelle. She also stated - for the record, it might be pointed out - that her swing coach, David Leadbetter, was not "the person who could talk about what events I play in. He got misquoted. I learn so much from playing with the men. I'm going to do it as long as I enjoy it".

Leadbetter, of course, said several weeks ago that Wie was going to focus on the LPGA and give up her ridiculous quest to compete with the men.

But misquoted? These days, journalists carry small, digital pocket recorders everywhere. The days of taking notes with short-hand are long over. So if Leadbetter was misquoted then the wire service that wrote the story is hiring deaf journalists.

And if Leadbetter is not the person to talk about what events she plays in, that just leaves one other: her father, no doubt.

I don't mean to vilify the man but, frankly, Wie is still only 17 and, talented or not, does not possess enough life experience to make clear decisions about what is best for her career. So it must be her father who's calling the shots.

If you don't believe me, then listen to Retief Goosen. The two-time US Open champion said Wie should not receive any more invitations to play in men's events.

He said, "The players (i.e., the men) in general don't think it's a good idea. We all know that with her playing in the men's events she's not going to get anywhere, so I'm not really sure what she's trying to achieve.

If she thinks it's helping her game, then, fine. But so far I think it's been damaging her game."

So it's really questionable what Michelle thinks she is learning every time she tries to compete with the men.

This is a circus act that is quickly losing its audience. The tiger is no longer jumping through the hoop of fire.

Eventually, the Big Top will have to close down and leave town.