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."

We all know the answer: Because she puts fannies in the seats. So to speak. Or at least, everyone involved with the Reno-Tahoe Open is banking on Michelle Wie's ability to continue doing just that. As long as she maintains that ability, she'll continue receiving opportunities to play in the major leagues.

That ability was disappearing all during 2007. But coming off three days of great play at the State Farm Classic - followed by several days of controversy (nothing like controversy to generate free publicity) - Reno-Tahoe officials and PGATour.com officials are convinced the girl still has "it."

To wit:

• In the Monday First Tee clinic yesterday in Reno, the three tour professionals participating were ... two old guys, plus Wie (Jay Delsing and Steve Pate, to be exact). The tournament is putting Wie out front.
• On the PGATour.com tournament site on Monday, the main photo and headline were of Wie. Today, the main photo and headline have switched to Nick Flanagan, but three of the four sub-heads are about Wie.
• And according to a report in Sports Business Journal (subscription only), PGATour.com will devote more attention to Wie during tournament play (the first two rounds, at least) than the Web site has devoted to any individual player not named Tiger Woods:

A special page on PGATour.com will contain blog-style coverage from a Web site staffer following Wie around the course. There also are plans to have a photographer document her rounds and post video of exclusive post-round interviews.

Woods is the only other individual player who has received such prominent treatment at PGATour.com, said Matt Hong, vice president and general manager of sports digital for Turner Sports.

So while PGA Tour professionals are overwhelmingly opposed to Wie (or any other woman - but especially Wie) taking part in their events, the folks who are in charge of generating interest in the tournament locally - and therefore, generating attention for the sponsors and money for the charities - and the people who are in charge of generating ratings (Web, television or otherwise) remain absolutely conviced of Wie's ability to sell a tournament.

And it's hard to argue with that belief when looking at the attention generated so far, and anticipating what is still to come.

Jay Williamson blurted out his truth upon hearing that Michelle Wie would be playing the Reno-Tahoe Open:

“When I saw it I actually thought it was a joke, quite honestly.”

Then added something else that is probably true:

“I know she is going to sell a lot more tickets than I will, but I would say it’s surprising. I don’t think it’s a real popular decision out here.”

Today, Michelle Wie blurted out her truth upon hearing that Jay Wiliamson's initial reaction was "it was a joke":

"I don’t know who he is."

Then added something else that is probably true:

"A good score will resolve everything."

An in-between, David Duval blurted out the truth:

“Whether I agree if she should be playing – I think she would be better off on the Futures Tour competing against women – is neither here nor there.

“Michael Stearns [Tournament director] thinks she can bring people in, and that’s his job.

“If some guy needs a spot in the field, chances are he’s not going to sell any tickets. She might add 2,000.”

The news just came over: Michelle Wie is heading back to the PGA Tour. She'll be playing the Legends-Reno Tahoe Open next week.

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