Michelle Wie has support from Howell

Michelle Wie has been taking criticism from a lot of people in the media lately. Most focusing on the fact that she has finished last in her last two tournament attempts against the men (for people who finished two rounds, Jet).

Many people, including PGA professionals think she should focus on the women’s tournament. I for one enjoy watching her play against the men but can’t wait until she plays a few more tournaments against the women and spanks them around a bit. Another person sharing my views is runner up at this weekends 84 lumber classic, Charles Howell.

He feels she will one day compete with the men on a regular basis and had this to say in a recent article posted at cnnsi.com

“I see Michelle competing out here in four or five years,” said Howell, who shares the same coach — David Leadbetter — as Wie. “I think people have forgotten she is only 16. I played a PGA Tour event when I was 15. I missed the cut, shot 78-75, and looking back I don’t there was a way I could have made the cut.”Now, looking at what she’s trying to do, just by being 16, never mind whether she’s male or female, I think she’s up against it. But the girl — you have to admit — is phenomenal.”

Howell, who has the same coach in David Leadbetter as Michelle Wie also had this to say about Leadbetter what he wants for Michelle Wie.

“The main thing David wants to see her do is not burn herself out, not
get frustrated, and if you compete in a lot of events and don’t do
well, you’re going to get frustrated,” Howell said. “I know, because
I’ve done it. I missed five cuts in a row early this year and I wasn’t
excited to do much of anything.”

It will be interesting to see what kind of resolve she has as there is no doubt that she will miss more cuts in the future. With the media covering her every move, we, I just hope she doesn’t break down before she can begin to make an impact on both tours.

technorati tags:Michelle, Wie, Leadbetter, Howell, PGA, LPGA, Golf