What is Wie doing?

Whether the title sound’s grammatically correct or not, Michele Wie is at it again. Like the pro golf equivalent of a circus side show act she’s teeing it up for the eighth time with the men on the PGA Tour at this week’s Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. Last year I expressed my opinion that enough was enough. She’s not only missing all the cuts, but also finishing in last place. Heck, even I can do that!

My story, Wie Bad in Oct 07, http://www.thumbsdownmethod.com/2007/10/16/wie-bad/
described how her game had hit rock bottom and that it’s time to establish herself as a winner on the LPGA Tour first, before any more thoughts of playing on the PGA Tour. Because of bad business decisions by her advisors (mommy and daddy), she’s gone in a hurry from the 14 year old child phenom everyone followed closely, to a “who cares anymore” special attraction (or distraction), just as she’s turning into an adult of 18 years young.

Now’s finally the time to say, “it’s just plain wrong” to let her play and also take up an important spot that a male pro worked so hard for, and definitely deserves. Over the past few weeks I’ve learned a lot about professional golf sports marketing and the world from the player agent’s viewpoint. To them, the tournament’s desperate need to sell tickets and get the TV ratings up (at least for the first two rounds until she misses the cut like in her past seven tries) hits right where it hurts. Isn’t it amazing how much the loss of Tiger Woods trickles down throughout the world of golf?

What’s really strange at this point in time is that after a miserable 2007 with an injury, Wie is finally playing good golf again. She was right there in the hunt at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic LPGA event, before being disqualified for not properly signing her scorecard. What’s up with that? Even a community college student can follow directions and sign the card in the scoring tent, like the rules say. I guess one particular Stamford student thought she could do it her way. NOT! (no disrespect to Stamford University intended).

If it sounds like I’m ragging on Wie a wee bit too much, I don’t intend to. Besides, she doesn’t need my criticism when her instructor David Leadbetter is questioning why she’s playing. I personally believe Wie’s one of the greatest golf talents ever, the male equivalent of Tiger Woods. Plus, she’s good for the game (the LPGA). It just shows the importance of management to the player’s overall success. We’ve all heard about the military type, training and conditioning Tiger endured growing up, with his parent’s methodical approach to establishing him as a winner on one level first,  before going on to the next. In sharp contrast, the Wie’s took a different approach, cashing in on the star power she demands, now.

Besides the issue of whether she should receive an invitation to play in a PGA event, the timing this week makes no sense to me. As Wie is teeing it up with the men, the LPGA is playing their British Open, a top major tournament. What a perfect stage for her to strut her stuff against Annika. Lorena, Paula and the best in women’s golf. These ladies can play! Wie’s missing a golden opportunity to see where she really stands in the world rankings. Bottom line; if she can’t compete and beat the women (her peers) then why is she playing against the men? Annika Sorenstam is publicly blasting Wie for the poor decision making of not playing in the Open.

To me, the reason for all this is simple (but still doesn’t make sense). In the early 1990s, my favorite classic rock group, Emerson Lake and Palmer had a song on their album Black Moon, where Greg Lake sings these lyrics; “that’s the power of money …Paper Blood”. Those words pretty much sum up the world of pro sports these days. Oh yeah, we all know they’re sports, but almost every day we’re reminded that sports are big business too.

PS… As of the publishing of this story, the leader after round one is at –7. Michele Wie is tied for 77th place at +1. Tonight’s coverage begins at 6:30 PM est.

Will she make the cut? Should she be playing in a PGA Tour tournament? Have you seen enough or do you think it should continue? Your comments are welcome.