Two Friends, Two Paths

"I've put too much time and effort into Michelle to be able to sit by and watch this happening without saying something," Leadbetter continued. "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."

At the same venue, Annika Sorenstam and Helen Alfredsson also leveled criticism, some at Wie's parents.

In Reno, Wie's father, B.J. Wie, refused to respond to the criticism. "No, no thanks," he said. "Thanks for asking."

Michelle Wie refused to second-guess her decision to play in Reno. "A decision is a decision whether it's a wrong decision or a right decision," she said. "I'm not going to second-think my decision. I'm not going to [worry] about what people are going to think about me and other things that I can't control." Apparently, she felt her choice was a good one, calling the week "a great learning experience." She dismissed the fact her string of missed cuts reached eight.

"I think if I played eight in a row and I missed all eight, that would be a different story," she said. "But it's just hard to play one [PGA Tour] event a year.

"I gave it my best today, and I felt like I did a lot of good things and hopefully that outshines the things I made mistakes on."

So what's next? The only certainty is Wie playing in next week's CN Canadian Women's Open, her seventh and final LPGA event of the season. A victory or high finish could earn her enough money for an automatic tour spot next year. If not, will she go to LPGA Qualifying School?

"I haven't really thought about it one way or another," she said.

How about more PGA Tour events, if given the opportunity?

"I haven't really made any decisions right now, but I'm starting to feel more confident about my game," she said. "If the opportunity comes again, I would think about it."

McLachlin, too, has more confidence, and a place to play this week. The win earned him a spot in the PGA Championship, his first major since the 2004 U.S. Open.