Michelle Tanking Casio World Open, Japundit Chimes In
Alex Pappas as Japundit, a semi-regular read on my list, summarizes all the basic criticisms of Michelle Wie’s attempts at playing in PGA events in his post Golfing with the guys:
Michelle Wie, please stop embarrassing yourself by trying to play on the men’s tour… Ms. Wie characteristically went into denial mode and could not bring herself to admit that a golf course set up for men is simply too much for her to handle.
Pappas expectation for Michelle Wie to say that competing with men on their tour courses is “simply too much” is fairly simplistic and the phrase “denial mode” apt troll bait. American athletes who make such pronouncements are usually labeled with far worse sentiments or are announcing their retirement. It doesn’t happen and it’s not part of a winning mind set.
Basic sports psychology 101 goes like this: you may lose, but learn something from it. This works double for non-team sports where how you approach improving your game is what matters. Compartmentalizing and moving on is a very positive attribute for young athletes. The means of handling defeat gracefully is something everyone could learn from Michelle.
But the biggest question is why does Michelle even want to play with the big boys anyway? Are women’s courses so easy for her? Has she been dominating the women’s tour to the point that it is no longer a challenge for her?
Fair enough, but I think even Pappas could agree that sports is entertainment and the sponsors haven’t shown any unwillingness toward having Michelle attend their events. There’s too much money at stake. Battle of the Sexes anyone? Billie Jean won that one. Why not Michelle?
If there is anyone Pappas should question it is Daddy Wie, who has always encouraged his daughter in her aim at completing in the PGA, and semi-super agent Ross Berlin who’ll gladly take his 10 percent win, lose, or “embarrassment” as Pappas calls it.
…I hate to tell you this Michelle, but every guy out there is a professional and has been working on his game, too. And probably for a lot longer than you have.
Since Pappas goes troll at the end of his post, I’ll do similar: I could probably use Babelfish to read the .jp newspapers, but “Engrish” is a severe load on my inner English major. Japundit, where’s the Japanese national opinion I seek? I’d be interested in knowing what Pappas’s Japanese colleagues think of Michelle Wie playing the men’s game.
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