- David Duval: "The novelty of it seemingly is wearing off a little bit, but you know, more power to her if she wants to try it."
- Scott McCarron: "You have to hit it high and far (at Montreaux Golf Club, where the Reno-Tahoe Open is played). I've watched her and she certainly does both of those."
But a sign of just how much criticism there's been is this: Her own instructor, David Leadbetter, blasted Wie's decision to play in Reno on Wednesday. Among the things Leadbetter told the London Telegraph is this:
"It's a shock to me and to her agents that this is happening. I don't think the family has made the right choice. There's definitely more to lose than to gain. ... I've put too much time and effort into Michelle to be able to sit by and watch this happening without saying something. If she doesn't stick to doing what's sensible, we could see one of the greatest potential talents the game has ever known going to waste."
Leadbetter said his fear is that Wie "will start swinging out of her shoes as she tries to keep up," and mess up a swing that has just started getting good again. He's also concerned for her psyche:
"There's far too much negative energy surrounding her at the moment. She's getting slated by players on the LPGA Tour and the men's tour. She's going to be like a pariah if she's not careful."
Others taking shots at Wie this week include some LPGA Tour players who aren't happy that Wie is playing against the men - in a tournament that is going up against an LPGA major, the Women's British Open. A few samples:
- Annika Sorenstam: "I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men."
- Helen Alfredsson: "I feel kind of sad for her. I think she's a very good person. I feel sad for the guidance that she seems to not have in the right direction."
- Paula Creamer: "I don't know why you'd want to pass up playing in a major, especially the British Open here at Sunningdale. But she goes a different path and that's not the path way that I've taken."
Wie herself has appeared completely nonplussed about all the fuss over her Reno-Tahoe appearance. And the criticism from some that Wie "passed up" the Women's British Open to play in Reno appears faulty. Those making that criticism seem to be under the impression that Wie was entered in the final qualifier for the WBO that took place this past Monday, and that she withdrew after getting into Reno. But that's not what happened. Wie was entered in the pre-qualifier that took place a couple weeks ago, on the Monday after the finish of the LPGA Jamie Farr Classic. And she withdrew from the pre-qualifier only after making the cut at the Farr (which would have required her to finish the Farr on Sunday, get to England in time to tee off in the pre-qualifier on Monday, then return to the U.S. for the LPGA State Farm). It was a week after she withdrew from the Women's British Open pre-qualifier that the announcement about Reno was made.
And there's at least one person who is absolutely thrilled with Wie's appearance in Reno, and probably gets more thrilled the more controversy surrounds Wie. That is Reno-Tahoe tournament director Michael Stearns, who invited her in the first place. And is getting exactly what he wanted out of that invitation: publicity, and lots of it, for a tournament that would otherwise be getting none.
Whether Wie gets anything out it - anything good for the development of her game - is yet to be seen.
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Comments
it’s all about money TV ratings.just think there could be a young PGA player they could use the sponsorship .it’s all about TV ratings I guess the PGA needs her for the ratings because tiger woods is implying .
Michele’s parents should look at Tiger’s.
“Pop” had an awesome plan, grooming Tiger
to be one, if not THE, greatest player to play this crazy game!
Please – she can’t qualify for a major…is afraid to enter Q-school because she could/would get beat…many players on tour now have won majors and multiple tourney’s at a younger age than she is now? Why do we care any more? The novelty is gone. Make this sorry circus act go away.
Good summary Brent. Just hope Wie will get some positives from this so she can make a good showing in the Canadian Open. The ill-informed comments from the LPGA players about the British Open qualifying reflect the negativity toward her which is very unfair (especially if her parents are making the key choices for her).
She kinda can’t (go back) the (Q School), now, can she? With ALL of the hype and NOOOOOO results, it seems like she’d be humiliated having to come back down to earth and grind it out against the other ‘hopefuls’. I’m sure her confidence is non-existent as she seems to sit by and continue to let her (dad) screw up her career. SAY SOMETHING, MICHELLE!
David Leadbetter should be fired in a very public way. Coming down that hard on an 18 year old just before she is starting a tournament is way over the top for a trainer/swing coach. Very unprofessional!
I’m sure Michelle is aware of the criticism being leveled at her from her peers and some dimwits in the public, but from her swing coach and confidant will really mess up her head.
leadbetter is an assh%?e
i cannot believe he would say that when she was committed to play reno–after how she played today, she does have a shot at making the cut–imagine if she does make the cut, now, after all of her injuries, controversies, etc.–she’ll make history and get exemptions all around the world-then she can set her sights on dominating the lpga tour without actually becoming a member–that would get some payback to those lpga tour players and anyone else who has made insensitive and harsh statements about a mere teenager who has more talent than most of the lpga players–wait until she finsihes college!
She isn’t going to be at Q school because she will be enrolled in a real school, Stanford. Her coach is out of line, obviously, from the facts presented in the story. And, NO, there are no younger major and multiple winners on the LPGA tour already. Morgan Pressel is the youngest Major winner but they are all older than the 18 year old Michelle. Why isn’t it enough for you to manage your own lives? What makes you think you need to manage hers too?
MW – Mostly Wild.
If I was a golf coach I know dmmm well I would agree to coach her. She already knows, or thinks, she know everything right now. As for the PGA, I’d be very upset knowing that if I was a pro and was not able to even try to qualify for the tourement due to her “exemption”. Next she will be asking to be “one of boys” and want a locker with them. Why doesn’t she just open her eyes and look in the mirror. She is no and never will be another BABE. I would go to a LPGA as long as she wasn’t in it. Men learn more from the LPGA then the PGA. What could they learn from her? Stay in school.