Michelle Wie Blows Another Sony Open

Filed in archive Golf News on January 13, 2007

Courtesy: AP

Michelle Wie struggled in the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii on Thursday and had to claw and fight to a closing 78. She struggled in round two and finished with 76. She missed the cut by 14 shots. Are we getting tired of hearing this story?

This is the fourth year that she has tried to make the cut in this PGA event. And it's the fourth year in a row that she has failed to make the cut in this PGA event.

Now, I have to wonder. Why is she ruining her game, her confidence and her future trying to make the cut in a PGA event? Because, I argue, that's exactly what she's doing by piling one futility on top of another.

She injured her wrist in October during a tournament and, according to sources, was told by two different doctors over Christmas that she needed to take at least two months off.

But The Golf Channel has footage of her practicing before the New Year and now she's struggling again in tournament play.

Michelle Wie is 17. Only 17. She has a fabulous future on the LPGA tour. But she hasn't won on that tour yet. She's come close with several second place finishes. That means she needs to work on her LPGA game. Putting should be on top of her list; she struggles with the flat stick, badly at times, and yet still tries to be the first woman to make the cut in a PGA tournament!

The old adage of "walk before you run" flashes to mind in big neon letters.

Golf is a brutal game on the mentality of a pro. It's grinding and that's when you're in top form. It's a spirit-killer when you're not in top form. Check out PGA pro, Ian Leggat's comments on that very subject.

Where are Michelle Wie's parents in all this? Are they seeing what's going on? Or are they simply listening to her agent or manager?

Sure, she's a superstar already - so far based on her potential - but so is Paris Hilton, unfortunately.

At least Wie has talent.

She needs to focus on that talent and develop it - hone it, so she can rely on it. Then go out and win a bunch of LPGA tournaments, take Player of the Year honors, finish number one on the LPGA money list, win majors. Go after Annika's records.

Only then, when's she's got a game closer to the PGA players, try again. If she must.