Wie beats men in U.S. Open qualifier: “Wie’s mother, Bo, celebrated her birthday, but it was Michelle who was buried in gifts. In addition to stepping closer to history at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., June 15-18, it was also announced yesterday that she’d received an exemption to the women’s U.S. Open, as well as an invitation to play in the Omega European Masters in September in Switzerland — no big surprise, since Wie counts Omega among her many sponsors.”

(Via Star-Bulletin.)

If you’re not getting enough of talented teenagers half your age doing things you couldn’t do in your prime from the olympics there’s always the LPGA where Michelle Wie is aiming for her first win.

I’ve heard Ko Olina referred to as Michelle’s home course, but is there such a thing as “come court advantage” in golf?

Teenage girls can be so catty… about LPGA exemptions.

The 17-year-old Morgan Pressel took this shot at 16-year-old Michelle Wie during this morning’s Fields Open conference call.

I don’t think she needs an exemption. I’ve been through qualifying. Everybody who doesn’t make it on the money list, other amateurs, other professionals that aren’t members of the tour, they all have to go through qualifying, too. I don’t see why she shouldn’t, or why she should be afraid, or expect an exemption.

Wie earned her Women’s open exemption because her virtual winnings in events she participated in would have put her into the top 35 on the LPGA money list.

Because she recently turned pro, any money she earns playing this year will not count toward her LPGA money listing.

Regardless of the outcome it looks like the Fields Open should be an interesting event on and off the course.

MSNBC: Pressel says Wie shouldn’t get Open exemption

According to the Associated Press wire Golf instructor David Leadbetter will open his first David Leadbetter Golf Academy at the Wailea Golf Club some time this spring.

The Wailea Golf Club on Maui will play host to the school, leaving Michelle Wie’s home town of Honolulu on the island of Oahu in the lurch.

Maui is the favored destination of mainland travelers, particularly the well-to-do. Kauai appears as a popular destination for celebrities as well.

One can only assume that Wailea Golf Club gave Leadbetter the best deal.

KPUA: Leadbetter opening an academy in Hawaii

Youth will be served at the Fields Open in Hawaii.

U.S. Women’s Open runner-up Morgan Pressel, 17, joins Ai Miyazato, 20 at the course at Ko Olina Resort from Feb. 23-25.

It’s a beautiful place to play, and if I recall correctly, where they shot some of the now defunct Fox show North Shore.

I’ll be working on getting a photographer out to the event. Meanwhile check out their excellent site for an idea of what to expect from the course.

Ko Olina Golf Club: Official Site

The Seattle Times reports that a family friend of the Wie’s purchased MichelleWie.com along with other variations of the dot com. The domain registration shows BJ Wie as the sole owner of the domain, listing his University of Hawaii office as the contact.

The domain http://www.michellewiegolf.com/ points to a spam site, while other variations a popping up every day. Michelle’s agent, Ross Berlin, is monitoring the situation.

Hey Ross, take it from us, there’s very little bling in this domain thing. WieBlog is a labor of love, baby.

Seattle Times: Michelle Wie to launch Web site

While we here in Hawaii watch Michelle Wie with the rest of the world, let it be known that residents here aren’t all unabashed cheerleaders for golf’s $10 million wondergirl.

Dan Seto, self-proclaimed Hawaiian Curmudgeon, offers this observation:

Wie may never reach the goal of making the cut in a men’s tournament (the last female to do so was decades ago)… Her score yesterday was, shall we say, less than what she is capable of.

If she has a problem, it is in having the focus and drive to win. It is not coincidental that Eldrick Woods got the nickname he has… a golf course as a piece of meat to be devoured. To be stalked and eaten with relish… I don’t see Wie as having that kind of single focused drive.

That’s not to say she won’t ever have whatever it takes to be a competitor… just that she seems to sometimes play more like a lamb.

Are focus and drive the only things lacking in Michelle’s game? Will experiences like this one fuel her competitiveness? Does she need a tougher nickname? What do you think?

Technorati Tags: Hawaii, Michelle Wie, Golf, Sports, PGA, LPGA

Michelle Wie tied for last in today’s opening round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Let the punditry begin.

Most news outlets are running with a variation of two pun-filled headlines (pun intended):

1. Wie suffers woeful start at Sony Open
2. Michelle Wie blown away at Sony Open

Michelle’s round one 79 puts her out of contention. Her plans for tomorrow?

“Try and shoot a 61,” she said.

Wie closed her meeting with the rabid sportswriters with the following gem…

“I want some chocolate.”

Awwwwww.

For her sake I hope the driving test next week isn’t as wayward as her game was today.

Somewhere on the mainland Hootie Johnson cackles.

Michelle Wie fans and detractors, I know my angle, and I’ve known what the problem is since day one. More on that soon…

Technorati Tags: Television, Hawaii, Michelle Wie, Golf, Sports, Current Events, PGA

ESPN will air their Sony Open first round coverage beginning at 1:30pm HST, 6:30pm EST.

A daily summary of the Sony Open hosted by Liz Chun will air on KGMB9 after the local late evening news. Remember folks, KGMB9 is your official “SEVERE WEATHER STATION!” (Currently trade winds are forecast at 10-15 MPH.)

To paraphrase Jack Lord and by extension Keith Olberman: Be there. Aloha.

Technorati Tags: Television, Hawaii, Michelle Wie, Golf, Sports, News, Current Events, PGA

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin’s Paul Arnett does the write up for Michelle Wie in the paper’s “10 To Watch in ‘06″ series.

Arnett provides a nice summary of the goings on in Michelle’s life without cheerleading or malice to sell the story.

Realistically, she will never make a living playing only with the big boys, but for now it can’t hurt to swing away with the top 150 pros in the world and see where it takes her. A lot of people feel this is the week where Wie will become the first woman in 61 years to survive the cut in a tour event.

Even if she doesn’t, Wie’s exploits are worth watching in 2006 as she tries to win an LPGA Tour event as a part-time player. There are many who wonder if the path she is on will lead to victories or enough top-10 finishes to avoid having to go through a qualifying tournament.

Not since she was 13 has she hoisted a trophy, but for now it’s enough that she has the poise and potential to keep up with competitors older and wiser than she.

Wie takes her third shot at the The Sony Open which begins Thursday, January 12. ESPN will provide television coverage of the event.

Star-Bulletin: Wie trying to win LPGA Tour event

Technorati Tags: Hawaii, Michelle Wie, Golf, Sports, PGA, LPGA