Is the Wie story wearing thin in men's events? (China Daily) Updated: 2006-01-18 06:59
HONOLULU: Michelle Wie's latest failure to make the cut in a men's event
raises questions over how much longer players and fans are prepared to put up
with future attempts.
Wie missed the halfway cut at last week's Sony Open after returning
rounds of 79 and 68 and is expected to play alongside the men at least twice
more this year.
She will make her second successive appearance at the Casio World Open in
Japan in November and is also believed to be considering a couple of PGA Tour
events.
The most likely of these is the John Deere Classic, where she missed the cut
by a stroke last July.
Although the 16-year-old Honolulu schoolgirl is one of the most exciting
drawcards in the game, whether playing well or badly, the novelty factor is
likely to run out soon.
However, getting Wie to play alongside the men has been a major coup by
tournament sponsors, with the Sony Open and John Deere Classic in particular
benefiting hugely with record crowds and extensive media coverage.
Australia's Adam Scott, widely tipped as a future world No 1, expressed mixed
feelings at the Sony Open.
"I think it's a good thing for golf at the moment," he said. "It's a big
story in the game. I think we need all of the exposure we can get and the media
hype.
"If she starts making the cuts (in men's events), then I think she can play
in as many as she wants, as many as she can get into.
Wearing thin
"But I think it wears a bit thin on everyone if she were to keep missing all
the cuts. There's no doubt, though, she's good enough to make the cut."
Wie herself remained as upbeat as ever about her future last week, despite
missing the cut at Waialae Country Club for the seventh time in a men's event.
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