Leadbetter Not Happy with Wie's Choice
Count her own coach among those who believe Michelle Wie is making a mistake playing in the PGA Tour Reno-Tahoe Open this week. And David Leadbetter believes it's a mistake even though he also believes she might make the cut:
“I can see, now, what’s going to happen this week,” Leadbetter continued. “She will start swinging out of her shoes as she tries to keep up and that’s when things can go wrong technically. She may just become the first woman to make a cut since Babe Zaharias — but at what price?”
Leadbetter's comments were made to Lewine Mair of the Telegraph of London, and at Sunningdale, site of the Women's British Open. That's where Leadbetter is this week, working with Suzann Pettersen rather than heading to Reno to work with Wie.
Leadbetter says the decision for Wie to play Reno was a surprise not only to him, but also to Wie's agents - and he blames the family for what he views as a terrible decision:
“It’s a shock to me and to her agents that this is happening,” said Leadbetter, who has worked with the teenager for five years. “I don’t think the family has made the right choice. There’s definitely more to lose than to gain.”
...
“I’m one of Michelle’s greatest fans but what we’re seeing now smacks of what happened last year,” he said. “Then, she tried to come back far too soon and did none of the necessary rehab work. Now, just when there’s this little light at the end of the tunnel, they have her back playing against the men.”
...
“I’ve put too much time and effort into Michelle to be able to sit by and watch this happening without saying something,” Leadbetter said. “If she doesn’t stick to doing what’s sensible, we could see one of the greatest potential talents the game has ever known going to waste."
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4 comments
Comments
too funny
you just can’t make stuff like this up
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jul 30, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting
I wonder what has prompted Leadbetter to air dirty laundry in public?
by dianemarie on Jul 30, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
we need a poll
how long before Wie boots Leadbetter to the curb ?
David who ?
Before she misses the cut this week ?
Before Leadbetter returns from the WBO ?
Before Labor Day ?
She’ll keep him around – but he’ll have to pay her
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jul 30, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wie isn't a good player.. period
She has enough trouble battling for cuts on the LPGA and her stint on the men’s tour is undeserved. She was at risk for losing her LPGA exemptions after she almost shot an 88 and withdrew from an LPGA event this year.
And she can’t remember to sign her scorecard. Yes it’s a silly rule considering the circumstances, but it’s still a rule… and let’s face it, without rules, there’s chaos.
She’s just not good and should have maintained amateur status while enrolled in college. She could have dominated the NCAA and gained some confidence that way.
by Goods on Aug 7, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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