Epitome of mediocrity

Teenage golf sensation Michelle Wie, who reportedly was guaranteed almost US$870,000 by Casio for her appearance at the Casio World Open 2006 in Japan, is not sure if she would be invited back for next year’s event. Wie was second from last after two days of the US$1.2 million event, missing the cut by a massive 17 strokes. Despite the poor showing, Wie insisted she was “very close” to a breakthrough.

Ok now, who is she kidding? Wie said the same thing when she finished dead last in the Omega European Masters and the 84 Lumber Classic. She also withdrew from the John Deere Classic citing “heat exhaustion”; she was eight over par after playing 27 holes. Otherwise that could have been three in a roll, although I’m not sure if anyone would be proud to be on such a roll.

After the 84 Lumber Classic, this was what Wie said:
“This week felt better than last week, I like, felt like I was actually playing golf or something while I was out there. I feel that I’m improving and I need to play more PGA events. I think I’m ready to win the next one. I know I have it in me to win it.”

And did she win the next one? Not even when she was competing against the women in her league. The 17-year-old, winless in 33 career LPGA Tour appearances, echoed her probably scripted comments that her play wasn’t as bad as her score indicated when she finished 17th in the 20-player field at the Samsung World Championship and 21 shots behind winner Lorena Ochoa.

“I felt like I was very close to playing really well this week,” Wie said. “It’s just a matter of, it is so thin from playing the best and playing like this.”

See the pattern now?

Wie’s supporters keep saying that she has potentials; so does my hamster. If there is a sport that celebrates losing, this must be it.

Related stories:
An open letter to Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie Inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame
The enigma that is Michelle Wie
What it really takes to be great