Whither Wie?

I don't suppose many of you are paying attention to Michelle Wie, the teen phenom golfer who was supposed to be to women's golf what Tiger Woods has been to the men's game: a true crossover superstar who expands the reach and popularity of the game. I've written about Michelle before. First here, where I discussed the possibility of her transforming the game. Then again here, when I suggested she give up trying to play in men's tournaments and concentrate on success on the LPGA Tour.

Now it appears as if Michelle may not be able to accomplish any of it -- including competing on the LPGA Tour. On Thursday, Michelle competed at her first LPGA tournament in over four months, the Ginn Tribute. She had been idle due to a wrist injury; an injury of which many in the golf world were skeptical. So, after months of rehabilitation, hours on the range and play in practice rounds, it was assumed Miss Wie was ready to take the stage again.

Hardly. After posting a +14 score after 16 holes, Wie withdrew -- and under a cloud of controversy: had she lost two more strokes to par on the final two holes, she would have shot an 88 and been banned from the tour for a full year. Although her handlers deny they considered that rule when contemplating the withdrawal, it's hard to believe it wasn't in their minds somewhere. With $20 million in endorsement contracts at stake, Wie can't afford to be barred from her sport.

One of the best things about golf has always been that players had to perform in order to be paid. A promising quarterback or shortstop could sign a multi-year contract and still cash checks even if they averaged six interceptions a game or batted .126. A pro golfer had to finish in the money to pay the rent. That's been changing over the years -- John Daly can't find his way to the bottom of the cup even with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, but he still draws fans, so he still gets endorsement dollars and appearance fees. But it seems to have reached an apex with Michelle Wie -- she has won ONE important tournament (The U.S. Women's Publinks), and none since turning pro a little over a year ago. She had finished highly in the tournaments she did enter, but as the pressure on her as grown, the cracks seem to be growing, as well.

Today, Michelle Wie could be the next Anna Kournikova -- a promising talent who can't deliver and is forgotten before her endorsement deals expire. Let's hope Michelle can pull it together and give Lorena and Annika a run for their money.