Michelle Falls Short Again
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by user BigPPup
Yesterday Michelle Wie was within one stroke of qualifying for the PGA U.S. Open. It was an incredible feat, and refreshing to see Wie go about perusing her goals in the proper manor. A few months back I wrote an article where I complained about Michelle Wie playing on the PGA Tour via sponsor’s exemptions. I caught a lot of flack for that article (but I still stand by my assertion). That being said, I am appreciative and proud for what Michelle Wie accomplished on Monday.
The difference between what happened Monday, and what happened in January is the way that Wie went about entering the PGA. In her previous attempts Michelle Wie has entered PGA events based on a sponsor’s exemption. Now, I never had a problem with her being there because she was female. I am not one of those Stone Age old school golf enthusiasts. The problem I had was making a minor into a side show on the tour. (In some ways that happened at qualifying on Monday)
Wie just turned 16 years old, and she has been in the public’s eye since she was 13. She is a very talented prospect. Probably the most talented young star we have seen since Tiger was in the amateur ranks. After watching her on Monday I have no doubt in my mind that once allowed to play full time on the LPGA she will take it by storm, and maybe have a chance to be a contender in some of the smaller PGA tour events some day.
That being said, when she entered PGA events in the past she was severely overmatched. The pressure was on her from every angle. Any event she entered was guaranteed headline coverage on ESPN. Even on Monday the AP covered and told us when she took off her sweater, opting for a short sleeved look. Wie’s presence created a circus of attention that was not positive for her or the sport of golf as a whole, men’s or women’s.
On Monday Michelle Wie went about it the right way. She wanted to play in the U.S. Open so she went to qualifying, and made it to the semifinals. I do not care who you are male or female, I am more than okay with that. She played hard and put herself into a position to make the cut. She showed she has the potential to make the PGA. I am glad to see her going through the steps, and doing it the right way, earning her keep based on her merit, and not her money earning ability as a novelty act.
After Wie’s performance on Monday one major factor about it became apparent, she has a terrible problem closing out. Wie was within one stroke of making the cut going into her final 9 on Monday before collapsing coming down the stretch. This is becoming a trend in her young career. Despite her age, and all the popularity she has, Wie has not won an event since the amateur open in 2003. Since then she has collapsed three times on the final day of that tournament including an 82 on the final day in 2004 when going into the day with the lead.
Michelle Wie is a proven competitor, but the question to be asked is, Is Michelle Wie a winner?
At this point of her career Wie has not proven to have the eye of the tiger (pardon the pun). Michelle Wie had plenty of opportunities to make the cut on Monday. What killed her was her putting. Wie was incapable of converting her Birdie putts when they mattered. Eventually she gave in to fatigue as her long and mid range game left her coming down the stretch.
This is the problem with Michelle Wie continually entering or attempting to enter PGA events. It is not that she does not belong, or that she is incapable of performing at that level. She has the talent, potential, and physical attributes to make it. What she lacks is the mental fortitude to perform at that level. She is able to come out of the gates smoking and play well, but as the tournaments wear on she cannot hold up under the spotlight.
This is where playing with players on your level, and age group becomes important. Much like the basketball players who dominated high school then made the jump to the NBA and failed, because they were not mentally ready for the wear and tear. They needed to be in college experience that lifestyle on and off the court before moving to the next level. Just because a person is physically ready to play at the next level does not mean the complete package their.
Michelle Wie needs to gain that winners edge. Playing in more amateur tournaments would give Wie the chance to play against competition that she is more talented than, but she would need to strengthen her mental toughness to be successful at that level.
However right now it seems that Wie is more interested in making a name being the first, than she is making a name for herself being a winner. That being said, at what point do we get tired of seeing her fall just short time and time again, when she could easily fix the problem by practicing her mental toughness.
Date
Thu 06/08/06, 2:43 pm EST
