It’s difficult to know whether to root for the new Michelle Wie or lament that she’s taken the place of the young firecracker who threatened to shake golf to its very foundations.
For now, we’ll simply give her some credit.
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By way of a final-round 69 on Sunday, Wie finished tied for 11th at the Women’s British Open and earned a place on the United States team for the Solheim Cup team, the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup.
The nod as one of Beth Daniel‘s two captain’s picks is easily the high point of Wie’s rookie season on the LPGA Tour, a tacit acknowledgement of the new descriptor for her game: consistent.
Two months ago in Bethesda, the 19-year-old failed to qualify for the Women’s U.S. Open — the championship’s antiquated qualification procedures are a different gripe — but with her wrist and head troubles finally behind her, Wie has grinded her way to seven top-20 finishes, including two thirds and one runner-up, in 13 tournaments.
Earning $510,291 may be good enough for 17th on the women’s tour, but it doesn’t carry the cache of competing against the men. Some also wonder if Wie will ever regain the free-swinging game that produced 300-yard drives and made her believe she’d never be a part of the ladies’ game, which is currently struggling both with its identity and its economics.
What a turn it would be if Wie’s latest chapter actually provides the LPGA with the lift it needs.
