Will Michelle Wie be the next Anna Kournikova?

TravelGolf.com ^ | Saturday April 30, 2005 | Jennifer Mario

[theFIRMbss]

Will Michelle Wie be the next Anna Kournikova?

My fellow bloggers Doug Carey and Jay Flemma have been talking a lot lately about Michelle Wie and her sponsor exemptions. Should she get them? Should she accept them? Is it nothing more than a publicity stunt? Yada yada yada.

Well maybe it is nothing more than a publicity stunt. But guys, don’t you get it? Women’s golf needs publicity. Really badly.

Annika’s up there breaking every record, winning 59 tournaments and no one’s batting an eyelash.

But put a 15 year old on the PGA tour and suddenly everyone sits up and takes notice.

So maybe Michelle does risk becoming the next Anna Kournikova—a media darling who's all sizzle and no steak. That’s apparently a risk she’s willing to take. If it doesn’t bother her, why let it bother you? For one thing, the book hasn’t been written on her yet. How did coach Pat Summitt turn the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols into the best women's college basketball team of all time? By having them practice against guys. Michelle isn't exactly wasting the best years of her life here, fellas.

As far as the argument goes that another, better female should get the bid first? Well, Michelle is still opening that door. One thing at a time.

Meanwhile, let the girl play. She’s darn fun to watch.

[theFIRMbss]

Even if Michelle never wins a big one like Anna never won, Michelle cannot be the "next" Anna just because even at fifteen Anna was gorgeous. (In fact, disturbingly so.) Wie looks like a bug.

[johnnyBbad]

You mean she's a hottie who never wins anything?

[Fierce Allegiance]

Wie isn't ugly, but she's not Anna.

[gopwinsin04]

[Sam's Army]

No, and I think its because Anna is Russian and Michelle is like Asian or something.

[Fierce Allegiance]

[Mr. Mojo]

So maybe Michelle does risk becoming the next Anna Kournikova—a media darling who's all sizzle and no steak.

Not a chance. Wie has come very close to making the cut at a PGA (men's) tour event 3 times before the age of 15! -- an incredible feat. Within 3-4 years she'll be dominating the LPGA tour.

[hflynn]

Meanwhile, let the girl play. She’s darn fun to watch.

We want Michelle to play but unless Michelle has an Addadickdemy we want her to play on the LPGA.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Quite a grasp for the obvious you have there, Sam's Army.

[Sam's Army]

Not only that, but Michelle doesn't play tennis.

[bigsigh]

We?????

[Fierce Allegiance]

Research-purposes-only ping.

[Sam's Army]

Well, I wasn't 100% sure, that's why I said "or something".

Just to cover all the bases, ya know.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I suppose that is a pretty big part of the comparison process.

[Protagoras]

No, and I think its because Anna is Russian and Michelle is like Asian or something.

Ummm, she's American or something...

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Bases covered, nice catch on the idiocy of the comparison.

[Sam's Army]

Umm, its sarcasm or something.

[theFIRMbss]

>You mean she's a hottie who never wins anything?

------------------------------------------------
"It wasn't like I played bad," Wie said.
"I was just a foot from being perfect all day."
------------------------------------------------

Well, from what I've seen,
she's only a "hottie" if
makeup artist types

get her all glammed up.
And, not only does she lose,
but she says weird things.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Bases covered, nice catch on the idiocy of the comparison.

Idiocy aside, I am enjoying the view.