Wie WD's (with an update from Tim Rosaforte)

[golfdigest]

This is pretty interesting....

 

It's from ESPN.com:

 

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. -- Hawaii's Michelle Wie withdrew from the Ginn Tribute on Thursday after shooting 14 over par through 16 holes, aggravating a wrist injury that sidelined her since January.

 

After Wie bogeyed the par-4 seventh, the 17-year-old star from Hawaii told an LPGA tour official: "We're not going to play anymore."

 

Wie wore bandages on her wrists during the round and said her withdraw was because she "tweaked" the injury and not because of an LPGA rule that bans nontour members for the year if they shoot 88 or higher. Wie was two bogeys from that scenario when she stopped.

 

Here's the full story.

[vanquish007]

That's unfortunate.

 

Golf can be a fickle game sometimes.

[dude]

somebody will correct me if i'm wrong, but the LPGA has a rule that if a nontour member shots 88 or higher in a round they are banned for one year. She was only 2 bogey's from shooting 88 when she "withdrew". I believe it was her manger that stopped her on the way to her 17th hole and talked to her for a few moments, when she got to the tee box she withdrew.

[GolferGal2009]

that's really lame, wrist injuries are the worst!!! they take forever to heal.

[Gdmichael]

I agree with "dude".

 

I am not buying the "injury" routine. Why would they have let her play in this event and risk greater injury with the LPGA McDonalds coming up next week if she was not 100%? Just doesn't make sense to me. I suppose she will be "all better" by next week.

 

She was having the worst professional round of her career and manager realized if she shoots 88 she is finished for a year. I think that's why they pulled the plug.

 

I feel for her. She is 17 and they (manager/parents) need to let her be 17. It sure seems like mismanagement may keep her talent from taking her golf career where it could go. I said in an earlier Wie thread: If it happens, she wouldn't be the first nor will she be the last brilliant young athlete to have mismanagement prevent her potential from being realized. Bad judgement will overpower pure talent more often than not when they butt heads.

[crew_138]

How does a supreme talent shoot that high of a score if it wasn't a wrist injury. Should've let her finish and lesson learned for everyone. She can focus on what really counts, and that is the awesome education she is about to have a Stanford.

[johnj]

Nah nah nah nah...hey hey...goodbye...Michelle? Could you take Tiger with you...thanks.

[sriedy]

Nah nah nah nah...hey hey...goodbye...Michelle? Could you take Tiger with you...thanks.

 

Do explain...... I have heard the anti-WIE from everyone just curious on your take on Tiger too.

[johnj]

Wow...You had a busy day already just hearing from everyone "ant-Wie"...lol...To elaborate on my post though...Rampant commercialism is the price I pay to view the best in professional golf compete at the highest levels of the sport, men or women, accepted, no problem...Tiger included of course. However the sideshow element that has been introduced vis-a-vis Nike starting with Tiger has really reached a low point with the campaign promoting Wie. I'd compare it to Walter Comiskey sticking Eddie Videl (midget) up at the plate for the White Sox to boost gate receipts. The Tiger reference has nothing to do with performance only coverage being governed by marketabilty over substance. Disagree? Answer this then...Have you ever watched a PGA event where Tiger was not in contention (struggling to make the cut even?) where you have been deprived of leaderboard golf coverage in favor of shots of Tiger? Of course. The reasons though clear-marketability chiefly-still offend. I tune in to golf because of my love of the game and the desire to watch the best play at their best...for mediocrity I could turn the digi-video camera on my own foursome weekly...point taken?

[DRGJR72]

The PGA Tour is a business and all about making money. So they are obligated to show Tiger because that is what the fans want, as shown by the ratings when he is playing vs. not playing, or even playing well or not playing well. I don't recall the last time someone at the 19th hole spit out "hey did anyone hear how Tom Pernice Jr. played today??"

 

Also I am sure that when Jack was dominating the tour in his day, or Arnold in his, that they got some special coverage or at least a mention of what they did that day. I cannot verify this statement, just a guess.

 

Some like it, some don't. That is why this is a great country...you can voice your opinion for whatever it is worth.

 

On a side note, I would not consider poor little Michelle mediocre. She had a bad tourny, oh well it happens. I am sure that she will be back in form at some point and doing great things on the LPGA tour. She already has some impressive finishes out there, just has not won yet.

 

A massive amount of pressure for someone so young. But I guess all the money that she made will make up for some of that.

 

Anyhow back on topic.....I am guessing that her wrist had to be an issue...

 

DG

[gators78]

Play 16 holes and with the threat of not playing this year she happens to WD? Supspect at best.

[joecollege]

I'm curious to hear what the John Deere Tournament people are thinking. I'm sure they care about her health, but not as much as the tickets that were sold for their event. If she shots 14 over on the LPGA, I fathom to guess what she will shot at the John Deere.

 

I didn't know that she could be penalized for shooting an 88.........Is there such a penalty for the PGA? If so, then this might end her shot to play in another PGA event. Is anyone in her camp seeing the warning signs? I think not since they have already cashed the Nike checks.

 

On the flip side, I still think Michele will win on the LPGA before Natalie Gulbis does.

[right2left]

However the sideshow element that has been introduced vis-a-vis Nike starting with Tiger has really reached a low point with the campaign promoting Wie. I'd compare it to Walter Comiskey sticking Eddie Videl (midget) up at the plate for the White Sox to boost gate receipts.

 

Just to clarify.....it was Bill Veeck, owner of the St. Louis Browns, that dreamed up the stunt of sending Eddie Gaedel up to the plate.

 

I'm sure you were thinking of Charles Comiskey, who of course owned the Chicago White Sox, but died a mere 20 years before the Gaedel incident.

 

That nonsense aside, John, I agree with your comments. I too, have no interest whatsoever watching Tiger Woods, or anyone who isn't in the hunt. I don't care for the fact that I have to have his entire round played over and over for me in the span of a 3 hour telecast, simply because Mr. Amazing unfortunately finished his round before the network went on the air.

 

I respect his game, just as I appreciate any persons golf game played at the top level, but just like the fact that I enjoy eggs on occasion for breakfast, I'd sour on them pretty damned fast if I was forced to eat them for every meal.

[Swingtheclub]

There are several reasons I believe the girls wrist was not injured yesterday.

 

One she has not played well sense well before the actual wrist injury. Note this girl got a 10 million dollar deal and has not won a tournament of any kind sense she was 13.

 

Its not nearly as hard as you would think for a player of her calibre to shoot 88. Throw a triple and a quint in it gets pretty easy.

 

When she walked off the last hole she played. Her manager came up to her and talked to her. Right after this happened she quit.

 

He was scared to death she would make two more bogeys.

 

Then during the interview, she comes right out and says she plans to practice the next day.

 

I have had wrist problems for thirty five years on and off. When it hurts enough that I have to quit during a round I am not thinking of practicing the next day.

 

In my opinion the girl was told to quit. Which brings up a lot of questions mainly about her character.

What I question the most though is her support group and this girls own intelligence. I am tired of saying she is immature when she makes these stupid statements during interviews.

 

The thing we have to wait and see is if her talent, will win out over her character and intelligence flaws. I do not see this girl having near as big a career as some people do. We will have to wait and see.

[right2left]

I agree with you....and for anyone who truly believes the Wie camps story regarding this latest WD, I have some really nice beachfront property for sale in Death Valley, Ca.

 

Call me if interested.....anytime.

[mcbush25]

There are several reasons I believe the girls wrist was not injured yesterday.

 

One she has not played well sense well before the actual wrist injury. Note this girl got a 10 million dollar deal and has not won a tournament of any kind sense she was 13.

 

Its not nearly as hard as you would think for a player of her calibre to shoot 88. Throw a triple and a quint in it gets pretty easy.

 

When she walked off the last hole she played. Her manager came up to her and talked to her. Right after this happened she quit.

 

He was scared to death she would make two more bogeys.

 

Then during the interview, she comes right out and says she plans to practice the next day.

 

I have had wrist problems for thirty five years on and off. When it hurts enough that I have to quit during a round I am not thinking of practicing the next day.

 

In my opinion the girl was told to quit. Which brings up a lot of questions mainly about her character.

What I question the most though is her support group and this girls own intelligence. I am tired of saying she is immature when she makes these stupid statements during interviews.

 

The thing we have to wait and see is if her talent, will win out over her character and intelligence flaws. I do not see this girl having near as big a career as some people do. We will have to wait and see.

 

I agree. There are just a lot of signs pointing to her actually doing this to avoid 88. Heck, if I walked off everytime I played bad then I wouldn't make it past the third or fourth hole. If you are a professional and you run the risk of getting banned for a year because you are playing bad then don't withdraw to avoid it. Be a professional and finish out and try to avoid it the true way in playing better.

 

I have nothing against this girl and I really hope she develops into a great talent, but her support cast aka her parents are definitely not helping her I think. If she could play regularly on the LPGA and get some wins there then she would be on the right track, but she keep sgetting pushed into PGA events by sponsors and her family and the money I am sure. Win at the LPGA level, because if you shoot 88 there you don't need to be on the PGA Tour playing. Plain and simple.

[iCollector]

Poor Michelle.... Really. Consider the circus she is in right now. granted, the money is good, but her whole path, thanks to a father with little sense of the "right" thing to do, is causing what looks like a death spiral. No question she is talented. But she has been placed in situations she is not ready to be in. The thoroughbred analogy is a good one. Shoot 14 over, WD, and then give the interview she did.... just awful. Of course she "must" keep on with the positive sound bites. I'd love to see her say, I'm through with pro golf till I'm done with college!

 

She needs to develop a bit more, I think they're killing the poor kids hope for a great career. (Nike, her managers, and her dad)

 

just my 2 cents....

[joecollege]

There is a professional simularity to both Michele and now Natalie Gulibis. Both dad's got there noses where they don't belong. Be a dad-not a manager, golf coach, caddie........matter a fact, stay in the club house and eat and drink with the sponsors and tell them stories about how cute you were when you were in diapers. That's it!

 

Maybe Michele needed to shot 88 and sit out the year to get her head on straight. After further review of this episode, I couldn't stop thinking that maybe this would have gotten her mad enough to get piss'd and tear up the LPGA tour. Kinda like Rocky Balboa mad. But now her handlers are steering her into telling stories and this can only get worse. Wrist injury, but going to practice tommorrow?????

 

Phil is out do to wrist injury, but won't play until he sees the Doc. Eventhough his isn't as serious physically- the greater worry is chasing Tiger. Butch will have something up his sleave and Phil is no slacker.

[golfdigest]

Here's the latest word from Tour Insider Tim Rosafort on both Wie and Mickelson's withdrawals from wrist injuries:

 

"Oakmont's fabled rough has extracted its first victim and the troubled teen superstar of women's golf is in the midst of controversy again on a day that saw Phil Mickelson and Michelle Wie withdraw from tournaments with wrist injuries.

For Mickelson, who tweaked his wrist in practice rounds earlier in the week at Oakmont, it raised immediate questions about the upcoming U.S. Open, where he has become a favorite. For Wie, playing her first women's tournament of the year, there is next week's McDonald's LPGA Championship and a full summer schedule where, like Mickelson, she figured to contend in all the majors...."

 

And here's the full article...

[Navigator17]

She MAY have hurt her wrist, but that's not why she WD'ed, that's pretty plain. I hope the people around her don't drive this talented young lady into the ground.

[phil75070]

Interesting comparison. Mickelson is rubbing his wrist, takes painkillers and has his "healer" massage his wrist at the turn. Wie plays poorly, shows no signs of being in pain, then quits with two holes to play, going and shaking hands with her playing companions with wrists too sore to play golf with? Mickelson flies to San Diego to consult with doctors; Wie heads to the practice range?

[HeadonaStick]

She withdrew to avoid tossing away her entire season.... BFD, I mean really, who cares? And who among you can honestly say you would not have done the same thing?

 

And frankly, I imagine her wrists were giving her problems. Whatever else you might say about Wie, she is better than an 88 on her worst day. She may have wished to finish, not aware of the 88 Stroke rule until she was told at #7. She may have assumed she was playing under "normal" LPGA rules - but, not being a member of the tour she has "special" rules. And the special rule is not in place to nix a player like Wie - it is to keep the sponsor's hacker niece from buying her way into being a regular 88 tour player. One event and out. Perhaps the LPGA itself informed Wie's manager - I would not want to be the one to inform the world Wie is sitting out the season.

 

 

Wie's problems run a lot deeper than a non-issue w/d. I won't reprint it here (it is in another thread) but suffice it to say it has nothing to do with turning pro or playing PGA events, per se. At this point, I do not believe Wie will ever fulfill her potential.

[gators78]

The fact that we are even questioning why she WD's speaks volumes to how people perceive her character. It seems like she is getting more enemies every time she tees it up...

[Gdmichael]

Speaking for myself and not GD, enemies seems a bit strong and questioning her character seems a little out of line to me. I could be wrong, but I don't think most see it that way. I think a level headed look at the facts coupled with the fact that she is a 17 year old child (get it? - a child!) says stop blaming her. I don't believe she is making these poor decisons. Others are doing it for her. Going away to college will probably be the best thing for her psyche and her golf career.

 

Myself and a few others have said or inferred what we think the biggest problem is - mismanagement, inteferring handlers, putting the almighty $$$ in front of accomplishment and the parents being sold an emotional con job by those chosen to represent and guide Michelle.

 

There is no doubt she is a brilliant talent. Let's hope others do not destroy it before it can blossom.

[johnj]

Thanks for the corrections...Would it be fair to say that I was in the ballpark (pun intended)?

[oregongolf]

I agree with "dude".

 

I am not buying the "injury" routine. Why would they have let her play in this event and risk greater injury with the LPGA McDonalds coming up next week if she was not 100%? Just doesn't make sense to me. I suppose she will be "all better" by next week.

 

She was having the worst professional round of her career and manager realized if she shoots 88 she is finished for a year. I think that's why they pulled the plug.

 

I feel for her. She is 17 and they (manager/parents) need to let her be 17. It sure seems like mismanagement may keep her talent from taking her golf career where it could go. I said in an earlier Wie thread: If it happens, she wouldn't be the first nor will she be the last brilliant young athlete to have mismanagement prevent her potential from being realized. Bad judgement will overpower pure talent more often than not when they butt heads.

I first heard about this yesterday on ESPN radio. Jim Rome was riding this one pretty bad, although it was kind of funny.

 

I agree. Let her be 17. They could've banked more on that cash cow if they waited three or four years. I honestly would've been far happier if she won a solid amateur event.

 

She can't even play in college now, sad.

[Metalhead]

I'm curious, why do people care what Wie does?....outside of the fact the media continues to give merit to her cause...

 

from a professional stand point, I would have withdrawn as well knowing i wouldn't be able to play for the rest of the year...mental illness would have been a much more believible cause in this case...

 

I honestly feel for Wie- she has no life, she has handlers....quit the professional circiut, go to college regain Amature status in a couple years and tell your parents to F&&* off! Come back out to the Pro's if you want to and when you are ready.........

but if she continues on the path she is on it could take every single dollar she has...Pay To The Order: Shrinks 'R" US.

[imsocrabby]

getting her amateur status back will be .....well........ impossible.

 

 

i have a friend who gained his back. but it was painstaking. all he did was pass a PAT then accept compensation for lessons. they put him through the ringer fighting him on it.

 

 

she will never get hers back.

[WildMoose]

I cant believe people make it seem like Wie is an 8 year old that doesnt make any decisions for herself.

 

Though I'm sure the stress of professional golf with as much publicity as she gets has overwhelmed her, but to make it seem like she is forced into working on her game and playing tourneys 24/7 and signing the nike contract when she just wants to be a kid and doesnt want the money as much as everyone else is crazy.

[oregongolf]

I cant believe people make it seem like Wie is an 8 year old that doesnt make any decisions for herself.

 

Though I'm sure the stress of professional golf with as much publicity as she gets has overwhelmed her, but to make it seem like she is forced into working on her game and playing tourneys 24/7 and signing the nike contract when she just wants to be a kid and doesnt want the money as much as everyone else is crazy.

she's 17. period.