Wie Done Playing Men? Not So Fast

by Mulligan Stu on May 10, 2007 9:34 PM EDT

Last week, David Leadbetter - Michelle Wie's instructor - said that Wie was giving up on playing men's events and would concentrate on the LPGA Tour the rest of this year. And she would, according to Leadbetter, take up LPGA Tour membership next year.

But wait - not so fast. Golf World's Ron Sirak - whose sources are usually impeccable - suggests that Wie will be playing the PGA Tour John Deere Classic this year, regardless of what Leadbetter says:

Neither Wie nor the William Morris Agency, which represents her, was speaking as of Monday. But Jesse Derris of the Ken Sunshine Agency, the family's spokesperson, told Golf World, "It's fair to say no options have been ruled out."

Others close to the situation,however, spoke anonymously and more aggressively. "I wouldn't jump to any conclusion that she's not [playing against men]," said one source. Another said, "Nobody is going to determine her playing schedule except her. If she wants to play against the men, she'll play against the men."

The most likely PGA Tour event for Wie to play next is the John Deere Classic July 12-15. She missed the cut there by two strokes in 2005 and had to withdraw because of heat exhaustion midway through the second round last year. Record crowds turned out both times.

"Michelle has been invited," John Deere tournament director Clair Peterson told Golf World Monday. "The only person I have spoken with [on this matter] is B.J. Wie, and he has not said what David has said." Peterson hopes to have an answer by the end of May. Several sources indicated Wie would make a commitment to the Deere within the next two weeks.

I would disagree with her decision if she does decide to play the Deere, but I like this quote: "Nobody is going to determine her playing schedule except her. If she wants to play against the men, she'll play against the men." You go, girl! I admire her guts.

But I'm sticking to my earlier suggestions that time spent playing only LPGA Tour events is what would be best for her game at this stage.

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