Wie's Continuing Woes: Editors' Blog: Golf Digest

Wie's Continuing Woes

Sunday, July 20, 2008 Comments

Golf World reader Pete Gitlin of Phoenix writes the words many people were thinking when they heard of the bizarre disqualification of Michelle Wie this weekend.

It's Saturday afternoon, and in the excitement of Greg Norman leading the British Open after three rounds comes the sad news of Michelle Wie's disqualification for failing to sign her scorecard after the second round of the LPGA State Farm Classic. Isn't it time for the game of golf to revise these anachronistic rules, which over the years have created such sad situations as Roberto De Vicenzo's "oh what a stupid I am" and Mark Roe and Jesper Parnevik being DQ'd at the Open Championship? Does Manny Ramirez have to sign a card after hitting a home run to validate it? Does an Olympic sprinter have to prove anything else once they cross the finish line first? And what are the responsibilities of the golf officials...shouldn't they be vigilant in protecting the integrity of their tournaments? The worst part is that the fans of golf are robbed of the excitement of possibly seeing a break through win for a young star. It's just plain ridiculous, and time for a change.

Pete, it's more than strange that Wie was allowed to play the Saturday round and then disqualified for not signing (soon enough) on Friday. Must be a better way. Like you, we were disappointed that she wasn't in the hunt on Sunday. But this signing stuff is not rocket science. I think Wie's so often been given special treatment that she's never learned the basics of playing and winning tournaments. You finish, you turn in a signed scorecard. Not so hard.

--Bob Carney

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Archived Comments (4) Click to expand

"... I think Wie's so often been given special treatment that she's never learned the basics of playing and winning tournaments. You finish, you turn in a signed scorecard. Not so hard. ..."

Ummmm- but she wasn't given special treatment here, she was DQ'd. She screwed up and payed the price. Don't hold that against her. I think there should be a statute of limitations on the officials- if you can't find a rules violation and enforce it before the next round, it should stand as is. Antiquated rules. With all the computers we have today, along with spotters and TV, this is silliness.

Posted by mmontanaro July 21, 2008 11:40 AM

Good point by you on the special treatment issue. But now comes word of a special exemption to a men's event. Wouldn't it be great if she could settle down, play the LPGA or the Futures Tour and learn to win?

Posted by Bcarney July 21, 2008 2:53 PM

i am so tired of this streaky, self-centered, lousy-putting, immature, little girl trying to play golf with the grown ups!! why do these tournaments keep giving her these exemptions to play, and then she shows up, but her game stays at the hotel and each time she winds up playing so poorly that it's embarrassing to the LPGA. Wie needs to get with someone like Butch Harmon or Hank Haney, someone who can really make a difference in her game, cause what she's bringing to the course ain't cuttin it!!

Posted by tribute05 July 22, 2008 1:08 AM

....and on the score card fiasco, it just goes to further show that she needs to learn to play the game, and play the game correctly before venturing out into the real world of competitive golf!! How can you call yourself a professional golfer, and then you can't sink a 3 foot putt when it matters, you get DQ'd for breaking the rules at one event, you withdraw at another event claiming an injury when in fact it was because you shot a lousy score-88. Then, your DQ'd again for not signing your score card!! Wie shouldn't get a pass on this by no means!! All the 'real pros' know that this is a rule that has stood for decades. A rule is a rule, no matter how antiquated it may be. If Wie was a 'real pro' she would've been playing this weekend.

Posted by tribute05 July 22, 2008 1:27 AM