Michelle Wie quiet before Q-School storm

You know someone’s really famous when she makes news by not saying anything. That’s definitely the case with Michelle Wie. She starts the final round of LPGA Q-School Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Fla., but doesn’t plan to speak publicly until it’s all over Sunday.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Baldry does talk to one member of the Wie team, David Leadbetter, who says that Wie is fully recovered from her wrist injury and appears mentally ready to handle the pressure-cooker of Q-School, where 140 hopefuls play for 20 LPGA Tour cards.

“There’s a lot riding on (Michelle) getting her card and getting to play in more than her customary eight events,” he said.

That being said, Leadbetter hasn’t seen his student particularly stressed. Wie spent Thanksgiving with the Leadbetter family and lost to her coach at ping pong. If she’s feeling loads of pressure this week, they aren’t talking about it.

“She seems actually more relaxed than I’ve seen her for a long time,” he said.

Leadbetter lists several positives to look for this week. She’s fit. She’s pain-free. She’s happy. She’s hitting it long again.

Still, Wie might find it hard to pretend she’s not the star here. Baldry reports that for this year’s event the LPGA has added bleachers behind the 18th green, moved the media room to larger quarters, and will post live scoring updates on lpga.com. If that sounds like a major, it’s because it is, for one player this week.

Comments

[rayski]

Some 10 years or so from now, Michelle Wie will have qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame. Will you naysayers have the integrity to admit you were wrong?

[rayski]

Some 10 years or so from now, Michelle Wie will have qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame. Will you naysayers have the integrity to admit you were wrong?

[woodstock1969]

I hope Sony and Nike go under with all the $ they foolishly threw away on some 16 year old brat. And her manipulating and dishonest parents who along with Michelle, took the 10M and ran. She is one of the dishonest playa's of 2008.

[Hackerbee]

Hold your horses all you Wie haters out there. When El Tigre came on the scene you types wrote him off, some tour players too - what had he done to have $$$ thrown at him. As Nick Price says - Thank you Tiger - higher purses & everyone got rich. Wie is no Tiger but, an improving mental attitude & you will all be eating humble pie. She will succeed because the talent is there. And by the way, all the girls on tour better be cheering for her - for some trickle down. Go Michelle. Wie are behind you....

[b]

By bad management I mean lack of life direction and guidance from her parents. It's a known fact that her parents have made some poor career decisions on her behalf and one can only wonder how that has effected her as a player. Do you really think making millions of dollars off the course is a substantial substitute for someone who has trained herself to be successful as an athlete on the course? Do you really think this is a successful longterm strategy? Take your money and run while it last? If so you must be related to her parents. Obviously you're no athlete. Truth be told her parents have single handedly ruined her career thus far. Good thing for her she has age on her side. I await to see how the rest of her career materializes from here on out. Let's all cross our fingers.

[WB]

How can you say Michelle has bad management. That bad management has guaranteed 18 million coming in every year. Sounds pretty sound to me.

[Blklight]

Scratchpro you are a real class act :(

[Bill]

People crack me up!!! MICHELLE NEEDS GUIDANCE...what is she 4 years old??? Does she not KNOW herself better then anyone at this ppint? If not, I have some beach property here in Scottsdale to sell her...cheap!!! GEEEEZ!!!!

[scratchpro]

While I agree with all the others re bad family mgmt etc., still doesn't mean I want her to succeed. I think given all the behavior as if she was due special treatment, it is now time for her to grovel! Hopefully after maybe three trips to Q school she can make it on the LPGA, only to lose her card again..

[scratchpro]

Thanks Greg, but your lame insult is probably just you talking about your own 24 handicap. Sorry that you still are a hacker too like your girl MW.. Again, I will be cheering for her downfall all weekend.. Go failure!! go M Wieeee!!

[b]

Unfortunately what got Michelle to the place where she's at today is not bad golf necessarily but bad management. She needs to surround herself with people who will give her sober and sound direction and guidance. Unless her parents wake up and stop being money hungry opportunist, this girl will never live up to her full potential. Very sad.

[Greg Pinelli]

After the briliant and insightful remarks of scratchwhatever there's hardly anything left to say about Ms. Wie..but I'll give it a shot...Not only do I hope she is successful..you can bet the LPGA is praying for her to qualify.
If Tiger Woods had been thrown out into the golfing wars at 16 with the kind of inept parental guidance provided Michelle he'd probably be a struggling former Junior star himself.
Wie has tremendous talent..at least ball striking talent. If her game around the greens ever develops consistently the Tour will have a new star..not just a fading audience magnet.

[JM]

Hey Scratchpro - maybe you should focus on your own game and lay off others. Get that 24 handicap of yours down to something civil before you start commenting on good players.

[scratchpro]

M Wie is a hack.. She is going to fail come Sunday, and I will be glad when it happens. Given that she and her family are acting like they belong without paying their dues, is crappy. She will fail miserably.. I really hope so!!!