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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Sketchy WD by Wie

There's nothing like a good Michelle Wie story to take me out of my blogging slumber.

If you hadn't heard, Wie was back today for her first competitive round of golf in several months after a wrist injury sidelined her. It was far from a successful return. She withdrew after 16 holes citing that she "tweaked" her wrist again.

After reading this article about her WD, the withdrawal sounds very sketchy. Wie was fourteen over par with two holes to go, and if she shot an 88 or worse, she would be banned from playing in LPGA tournaments for the entire year.

What's the tactful way to say it? I think it's, "How conveeeeennient..." The article says, "Wie made a final bogey on No. 7. As she headed to the tee, she was stopped by her manager, Greg Nared. The two chatted for a few moments before they called an LPGA official to end the round."

So basically, the chat went like this:

Nared: Uh, your highness, can I have a word with you?
Wie: Yeah, but make it really quick. I need to bogey on outta here and get back to the hotel.
Nared: I don't think you understand. Two more bogeys, and you'll shoot an 88.
Wie: So what? I shoot 88s all the time when I play with the men.
Nared: This time, it's different. If you shoot an 88, you won't be able to play on the LPGA again for the rest of the year.
Wie: Says who?
Nared: Says the rule book. Of course you would never know that unless I grabbed you a minute ago right before you blew another one left into the parking lot. But that's the scoop. So you had better make a motion like your wrist is hurting and that you have to withdraw because of it.
Wie: Good idea. I'll fake it. The media will buy the story because they think I'm the best golfer ever. They haven't noticed that I stink. Either way, I'm laughing all the way to the bank. Will I be able to play next week, or do you think I should pretend I need a few more months to let my wrist heal?
Nared: We'll talk about that later. I'll come up with something to tell the press.

Isn't it obvious? Whose manager does these things? Michelle was obviously clueless about the rule and had to WD before signing her scorecard.

Prediction: She never breaks 75 competitively again.