Aug
25
Can Michelle Wie win without team support?
Michelle Wie really wanted all of the “judges” who convinced themselves that she isn’t all that great a golfer to see her in all of her glory at the Solheim Cup, and with three and a half out of a possible four points to her credit. She really shut down the naysayers!
Is the “confidence boost” that Michelle Wie used to define her week in biennial match play against Team Europe at the Solheim Cup enough to change her psyche from just another player to winner? Can she finally become the female golfer that the LPGA Tour will look towards in order to boost their own ratings?
As one of the most expressive cheerleaders of Team USA, Wie proved that she has a voice and is a solid team player to boot! This may also be the defining moment in Wie’s career as well; the moment that fans will remember long after her first win, placing Michelle on the road to greatness.
Then again, maybe not…
“I think I played with as much passion as I could. I think I played with as much desire and hunger as I wanted to. I think it was absolutely phenomenal, this experience that I had,” mentioned a ‘hyped-up Wie.
Did Wie say, as I wanted to? Does that mean that she doesn’t feel the same way about playing in singles matches? Perhaps then, MW should be playing more team golf at Stanford and less on the Tour until she conquers this fear.
In addition Wie stated, “I did not want to come to the 18th hole, but it came down to that and I did what I can do,” concluding that her nerves were jangling but in spite of it she learned to conquer her fears and just go out and play.
Wie must now play on the LPGA Tour and win an event. She must win by a large margin, not because her opponent fails but because she shows confidence and strength from within.
Congratulations to Michelle Wie and to Team USA for taking possession of the Solheim Cup for a two year stint.
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27 comments
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor] 
Wie showed a dramatic improvement in holing putts under pressure, which to my mind has always been her achilles heel. Perhaps this new relationship with short game maestro Dave Stockton will be the real foundation of her future success. It would be great to see.
Professional golf history is awash with examples of great ballstrikers who struggled on the greens. Orville Moody won a US Open and absolutely nothing else. Tom Purtzer never won anything of consequence. Sergio Garcia putts just well enough to be close to greatness, yet it betrays him under pressure. Those are but a few examples of many.
Professional golf history is awash with examples of great ballstrikers who struggled on the greens. Orville Moody won a US Open and absolutely nothing else. Tom Purtzer never won anything of consequence. Sergio Garcia putts just well enough to be close to greatness, yet it betrays him under pressure. Those are but a few examples of many.
2009-08-25 @ 11:21
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
What really thrilled me were those fist pumps by Bubbles when she sank those two and three foot putts.
2009-08-25 @ 16:49
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
What really thrilled me were those fist pumps by Bubbles when she sank those two and three foot putts.
2009-08-25 @ 16:50
Comment from: wunderkind [Visitor]
Didn't realize LPGA still exists...Thought they have folded.
It doesn't matter whether Wie is going to win or not. The LPGA has gone too far to the wrong side. It will take them years to recover.
It doesn't matter whether Wie is going to win or not. The LPGA has gone too far to the wrong side. It will take them years to recover.
2009-08-26 @ 08:35
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
Apparently, Alex has never seen Chris DiMarco play a match.
2009-08-26 @ 09:25
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Shanks,
How did Chris DiMarco get in on the act?
Lost in the euphoria over the US Solheim win and Bubbles' overall decent play in that event, was Bubbles' dismal play at crunch time in the Saturday alternate shot match when she was paired with Christie.
At the 17th hole and with her team 1 up, Bubbles hit her drive into the deep rough. When her partner plaed another poor shot into the center of the pond, Bubbles had to take a drop. Taking her fourth shot, and with her team desperately needing to get on the green, Bubbles instead flew the green, landing in more deep rough. That would be a missed fairway AND a missed green on one hole by the same player in alternate shot Christie made a decent pitch and Bubbles sank a short putt for a double bogey six. Fortunately for them, their opponents were as inept on the hole as they were, and a double got them a half.
On the very next hole, Bubbles was behind a tree in the fairway after Kerr's drive. She tried to hook the ball around a tree, almost whiffed it instead, and advanced the ball about 100 yards. Eventually they got a par five, and their opponents again weren't able to capitalize on Wie's and Kerr's spotty play Thus, the US pair got a 1 up win, when they deserved at best a half point. They didn't win it, the Euros lost it. (That seems to be the prevalent sentiment when something like that occurs. Bubbles and Kerr backed in.)
How did Chris DiMarco get in on the act?
Lost in the euphoria over the US Solheim win and Bubbles' overall decent play in that event, was Bubbles' dismal play at crunch time in the Saturday alternate shot match when she was paired with Christie.
At the 17th hole and with her team 1 up, Bubbles hit her drive into the deep rough. When her partner plaed another poor shot into the center of the pond, Bubbles had to take a drop. Taking her fourth shot, and with her team desperately needing to get on the green, Bubbles instead flew the green, landing in more deep rough. That would be a missed fairway AND a missed green on one hole by the same player in alternate shot Christie made a decent pitch and Bubbles sank a short putt for a double bogey six. Fortunately for them, their opponents were as inept on the hole as they were, and a double got them a half.
On the very next hole, Bubbles was behind a tree in the fairway after Kerr's drive. She tried to hook the ball around a tree, almost whiffed it instead, and advanced the ball about 100 yards. Eventually they got a par five, and their opponents again weren't able to capitalize on Wie's and Kerr's spotty play Thus, the US pair got a 1 up win, when they deserved at best a half point. They didn't win it, the Euros lost it. (That seems to be the prevalent sentiment when something like that occurs. Bubbles and Kerr backed in.)
2009-08-26 @ 18:53
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2009-08-26 @ 21:33
Comment from: Jim C [Visitor]
The double on 17 was pretty poor--but what was so bad about the par on 18? After Kerr put her tee shot behind a tree, Wie advancing the ball 100 yards sounds like a decent if unspectacular result on a par 5 hole, as does their making par. They didn't go overr par; they forced their opponents to birdie which they were unable to do.
2009-08-26 @ 21:52
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Alex,
NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE!! EASE UP BIG FELLOW, DIDN'T YOU LEARN THAT A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE WILL GET YOU KILLED ON RECON???
NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE, NEGATIVE!! EASE UP BIG FELLOW, DIDN'T YOU LEARN THAT A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE WILL GET YOU KILLED ON RECON???
2009-08-27 @ 14:41
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Joe Cool,
Please note that I specified that Bubbles' play in the Solheim was overall very good.
However,her fan(atics) are viewing her play in what is nothing more than a three-day exhibition as a sure sign that she is headed for the Hall of Fame in short order.
I merely pointed out that at several stages in that exhibition, her play was at best substandard. While you may think it's negativity, I prefer to think of it as cautious realism
What's with the caps and the "recon" comment?
Alex USMC 1969-73
Please note that I specified that Bubbles' play in the Solheim was overall very good.
However,her fan(atics) are viewing her play in what is nothing more than a three-day exhibition as a sure sign that she is headed for the Hall of Fame in short order.
I merely pointed out that at several stages in that exhibition, her play was at best substandard. While you may think it's negativity, I prefer to think of it as cautious realism
What's with the caps and the "recon" comment?
Alex USMC 1969-73
2009-08-28 @ 09:51
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Alex...Semper Fi! Remember, I brought in the supplies to Saigon 1968 to 1970.
Bubbles it seems has gone back to her old putting routine of taking practice strokes before putting. The Stockton method had her eliminate the practice stroke. I don't know if BJ stepped in and gave Bubbles instructions to forget Stockton's advice or she did it on her own. I do know that every time she took practice strokes she missed those three and four foot putts. She did it at the Solheim Cup and she is doing it at the Safeway. She was even par on the par fives that I think I could even get on in two. Today was moving day and Bubbles stood still. She is five strokes back and is in an all to familiar position that she has been before. Most of the players are taking advantage of the short par fives and unless Bubbles shoots a 63 tomorrow, she can look forward to the Canadian Open.
Bubbles it seems has gone back to her old putting routine of taking practice strokes before putting. The Stockton method had her eliminate the practice stroke. I don't know if BJ stepped in and gave Bubbles instructions to forget Stockton's advice or she did it on her own. I do know that every time she took practice strokes she missed those three and four foot putts. She did it at the Solheim Cup and she is doing it at the Safeway. She was even par on the par fives that I think I could even get on in two. Today was moving day and Bubbles stood still. She is five strokes back and is in an all to familiar position that she has been before. Most of the players are taking advantage of the short par fives and unless Bubbles shoots a 63 tomorrow, she can look forward to the Canadian Open.
2009-08-29 @ 22:22
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
While the last round 66 was admirable, not taking advantage of the five par fives and missing those dreaded three foot putts in the second round, prevented Bubbles from getting her first LPGA win. Surprise, surprise...a Korean rookie won the tournament in a playoff! Well, at least we have another tournament coming up next week. Maybe just maybe, this will be the one for Bubbles,
2009-08-30 @ 22:10
Comment from: smudge [Visitor]
uh she can't play team golf at stanford, remember she turned pro to put food on her daddy's plate.
2009-08-31 @ 11:10
Comment from: coolio [Visitor]
"Michelle Wie has finally emerged!"
If you say so, wietard....
LOL
If you say so, wietard....
LOL
2009-08-31 @ 14:46
Comment from: smudge [Visitor]
Nice start at our Canadian Open. Not surprising really. Though it seems a lot of people are. She has never demonstrated staying power, either week to week or within a tournament, so should be no surprise she'd throw up a missed cut. The LPGA if it is going to survive needs to get off the Wie is our future and focus on the real talents of the tour.
2009-09-04 @ 11:11
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Good grief!...a 76 on a 6400 yard course with 1/2 mile wide fairways. Everyone shooting in the mid 60's and Bubbles shoots herself out of the tournament the first round. She STILL has not figured out how to putt. This has been one of her problems for the past six years. I do not see her winning a tournament for at least two more years. The latest report is she will be taking a full load at Stanford for the Fall quarter. Does this mean that she plans to play on the LPGA early in 2010? The saga continues!
2009-09-09 @ 11:18
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Pretty amazing. I wonder why there were no blogs discussing the fact that Wie - Wee did not even make the cut?
2009-09-09 @ 15:07
Comment from: smudge [Visitor]
perhaps finally no one cares as she is just another of the 100's of mediocre players on tour. She is nothing special, never has been. all this chat about 300 yard drives, please...watch petterson, 1000 times better golfer and probably drives it as far, and certainly straighter.
2009-09-10 @ 19:25
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
In Arkansas those dreaded 3 and 4 foot putts once again haunted the Golden Girl. How long is it going to take for Bubbles to realize that the top players DO NOT miss 3 and 4 foot putts! In the first round she already has 4 bogies and this figure is what the top players have in four days. Since this is a 54 hole event, Bubbles, because of her once again poor putting, has shot herself in the foot and will not be able to recover. How important is putting at the professional level?...just ask Tiger Woods and what he didn't do in the majors this year. After all these years of competitive golf, Bubbles still can not make those 3 and 4 foot putts. Unless she can conquer this problem, she will never win a golf tournament.
2009-09-11 @ 15:05
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Click Here For More Info!
The Punahou School graduate carded five birdies and four bogeys for her up-and-down round. She opened with three consecutive birdies before bogeying the par-4 fourth. She closed her round with a bogey at the 17th and a birdie at the last.
Wie hit only six of 14 fairways and a meager five greens in regulation, but needed just 26 putts. She averaged 265.5 yards off the tee.
The savior of the LPGA! The saga continues!
The Punahou School graduate carded five birdies and four bogeys for her up-and-down round. She opened with three consecutive birdies before bogeying the par-4 fourth. She closed her round with a bogey at the 17th and a birdie at the last.
Wie hit only six of 14 fairways and a meager five greens in regulation, but needed just 26 putts. She averaged 265.5 yards off the tee.
The savior of the LPGA! The saga continues!
2009-09-11 @ 18:40
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Bubbles hit 28% of the GIR and 43% of the fairways...this does not a LPGA Champion make!
This facade has been going on too long. I hope she wins something before I die!
This facade has been going on too long. I hope she wins something before I die!
2009-09-11 @ 18:44
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Well, Bubbles once again averaged her 10 bogeys during a tournament, the only difference this time was the fact that it was only 54 holes. Shin once again lived up to her name as the "last round Queen" by shooting a 64 and then winning in a playoff. Bubbles shot a 73! I think it is time for the Stanford study hall...see you in 2010 Bubbles.
2009-09-13 @ 20:34
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
AND...She is now 0 and 56. ZERO wins in 56 attempts.
2009-09-14 @ 21:48
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
John D,
I am sure the organizers at Blackhawk are thrilled to hear that Bubbles is too tired to play in their tournament! Good grief, the girl IS 19 years old isn't she? When I was 19 I worked from 7:00 to 4:00, on the first tee by 4:45, then went to the local dance club and danced until 2:00 am. I did this five time a week for two years and Bubbles after 3 tournaments is too worn out to play at Blackhawk! I guess Nike did not read the fine print in her contract which stated that Stanford was priority ove golf.
I am sure the organizers at Blackhawk are thrilled to hear that Bubbles is too tired to play in their tournament! Good grief, the girl IS 19 years old isn't she? When I was 19 I worked from 7:00 to 4:00, on the first tee by 4:45, then went to the local dance club and danced until 2:00 am. I did this five time a week for two years and Bubbles after 3 tournaments is too worn out to play at Blackhawk! I guess Nike did not read the fine print in her contract which stated that Stanford was priority ove golf.
2009-09-17 @ 20:36
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
John D.,
There are at least 20 Korean golfers that are better players than Bubbles. I think her parents are the ones that are pushing Stanford first over her golf career. Also, I do not think she will be happy with just a BA from Stanford and will continue on with her graduate studies. Perhaps the mindset of the Wie Camp is the fact that they have already made their millions from endorsements and they could give a rats ass if Bubbles played in another tournament. During the past six years Bubbles has only shot 65 three times and I would not consider that being a "golf phenom." I can not see her winning any tournament until she is at least 23 years old. Bubbles does not have it mentally nor has she ever figured out how to putt. History has proven that professional golfers that can not putt never make it during their career.
There are at least 20 Korean golfers that are better players than Bubbles. I think her parents are the ones that are pushing Stanford first over her golf career. Also, I do not think she will be happy with just a BA from Stanford and will continue on with her graduate studies. Perhaps the mindset of the Wie Camp is the fact that they have already made their millions from endorsements and they could give a rats ass if Bubbles played in another tournament. During the past six years Bubbles has only shot 65 three times and I would not consider that being a "golf phenom." I can not see her winning any tournament until she is at least 23 years old. Bubbles does not have it mentally nor has she ever figured out how to putt. History has proven that professional golfers that can not putt never make it during their career.
2009-09-19 @ 17:11
Comment from: Ray Jeske [Visitor]
Not So Cool,
You (and the rest of you) are all idiots. Michelle Wie will have a Hall of Fame career-full of last laughs.
You (and the rest of you) are all idiots. Michelle Wie will have a Hall of Fame career-full of last laughs.
2009-11-15 @ 18:15
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Ray,
We have to have a wager about Wie and the Hall of Fame nomination. Papa Wie has stated that his daughter WILL only play golf for ten years and then move on to something else. This means that HE is planning on having Michelle retire when she is 26 years old. Hall of Fame?? don't think so.
We have to have a wager about Wie and the Hall of Fame nomination. Papa Wie has stated that his daughter WILL only play golf for ten years and then move on to something else. This means that HE is planning on having Michelle retire when she is 26 years old. Hall of Fame?? don't think so.
2010-03-04 @ 19:42
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