Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie at the Kraft Nabisco Championship signing autographs
For the second time in as many years, Michelle Wie was back on CBS's "60 Minutes" filmed in part in Hawaii at the Fields Open. Two years ago it was Mom, Dad and Michelle. Today she has a marketing agency, style consultant, mental coach, physical trainer and swing coach, just to name a few, on her "team". Wie told correspondent Steve Kroft that "it feels nice to have people that you can trust around you." What's been the most "scary" part since turning pro? Taking her driving test. One of the most direct questions she took was the one about the pressure that's on her now to win a tournament. Wie told Kroft "I hope my fans will recognize that I'm still a full time student. I still have a lot of other things that I have to do." Like the math test she had to take the next day she hadn't studied for.
The LPGA put on a sensational show in the final round at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California. It was the first major LPGA championship for Michelle Wie as a professional. What a glorious job she did. Day after day, for four days, she played beautifully. There were a couple of shots she obviously wasn't happy with but there's bound to be a couple in four rounds.
Michelle Wie at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, her first LPGA major as a professional
Along the way to the final 72nd hole, where the suspense peaked, Wie was leading the tournament. Lorena Ochoa had lost her touch after her first round 62 but she was fighting to keep some of the huge 7 stroke lead she had going into the second round. It's down to Wie's final chance to be in for the win. All she had to do was roll it close, knock it in for a birdie. She would have been in the playoff with Ochoa and Webb. Instead she decided to chip to the green. The ball came to rest ten feet from the hole and with the two putt, she was out of the playoff.
The most unexpected contender, Karrie Webb, put Wie in the squeeze with what will probably be the shot of the year on the LPGA tour. With Ochoa barely holding on and Wie very comfortable and about to take the lead, Webb used a wedge to knock her third shot on the 72nd par 5 from 116 yards into the hole. It was amazing, thrilling, for the struggling LPGA veteran but for Wie fans it put a lump in our throats.
Then we choked.
Michelle Wie putting for dough
Why didn't Wie use her putter, just get it close and birdie the hole to be in the playoff!!?? It's reported at ESPN.com her father, BJ Wie, thought of that and so did her caddie, Greg Johnston. But no, the 16 year old did it her way. She went for it. She admitted feeling "sad" but she handled the onslaught of media questions admiring the amazing luck Webb had - who would have thought it possible? As she told the microphones pushing their way to get closest, she played her best, she was comfortable with herself, she gave it her all but hey, there are some things in golf simply out of our control! "I'm happy with the way I played in my first major as a professional. I wish I could have played a little better, like, the last nine holes, but I'm still happy with the way I finished." In the playoff, Ochoa seemed destined to lose. That fabulous birdie Webb pulled off forced Ochoa into the playoff even after Ochoa pulled off a birdie of her own just moments earlier. So it was Webb and her caddie walking off with the trophy and the dip in the lake.
As Ochoa put it, you don't realize how good you've got it when you're shooting a 62 until you have to work hard just for a 71, as she did the day after the 62. Annika Sorenstam was working hard just to stay in the top 10, her hopes for a Grand Slam this year dashed in the first major of the year.
For Webb, the magic of this second Kraft Nabisco championship began for her after the second round. In the media room, her opening comment was charming.
A little background in order here for those who haven't been on the inside. It's a ritual for the top three or four players in a tournament to troop into the media room at the end of the round each day to take questions. First the player is often asked to list the clubs they used on each hole and comment on the round before the questions begin. As Webb took her cue to start she said, "First I'd like to say just how nice it is to be back in here!". Her comment, met by friendly laughter, an obvious reference to the long dry spell she's been going through.
Michelle Wie plays next on the Asian Tour the first week in May. She'll be at the SK Telecom Open in South Korea. Then she'll play i8n the U.S. Open local qualifier at the Turtle Bay.
Michelle Wie with her awesome swing
There are four local qualifiers in Hawaii again this year, but this could be the last year unless the USGA likes the numbers of golfers signing up for them. So show your support, be positive or just have some fun, and sign up before the April 26th deadline. You can get your application at http://www.usga.org/. All locals are in May, on Maui at Wailea on the 13th, on Oahu at Turtle Bay Palmer on the 15th, on Kauai at Poipu Bay Golf Course on the 19th and on the Big Island at Waikoloa on the 22nd. The USGA sectional will be June 5th at Poipu. The U.S. Women's Open local is May 18th at Ko Olina and the sectional is also at Ko Olina on June 13th. The U.S. Senior Open qualifier is June 19th at Waialae. How often do you get to play at Waialae Country Club?
So two days after returning from her third place finish in a major LPGA tournament, does Michelle Wie hang out with her friends and eat junk food while shopping? No, she heads to the gym to train with Paul Gagne who came to Hawaii from Montreal via Los Angeles to work with Wie on improving her game. She still wants to compete on the PGA Tour and she needs more power for that. Who does she turn to? Gagne. She calls it: "It's another kind of workout, kind of thing."
Paul Gagne from ChampionsGate in Florida
Gagne works with David Leadbetter, Wie's instructor, to help get her physically capable of doing the moves she needs to for increased ball flight and getting out of the tight rough. Gagne is a posturologist. He's really good if you have chronic pain in your back, neck, knees or your shoulders, Gagne can help you. He'll be back in Hawaii later this year and is available for personal or group sessions. Click on the email at the bottom of the newsletter and I'll give you his contact information.
Fleshing out her dance card for the rest of the year, Wie has her schedule set. After the U.S. Open qualifier at Turtle Bay, she's off to the McDonald's LPGA Championship in June, the Women's Match Play Championship, the John Deere Classic and the Evian Masters in July followed by the Weetabix Women's British Open in August. In October, she's back at the Samsung World Championship and November it's the Casio World Open in Japan. There's also the U.S. Women's Open, plus the qualifier if she isn't given an exemption.
One idea floated by the Advertisers Bill Kwon suggests the LPGA needs to expand the number of exemptions it allows to7, like the PGA Tour allows. He also found another PGA Tour event that would fit in Wie's schedule, the Reno-Tahoe Open. But that event is still seeking a sponsor. Maybe the word from the BJ Wie, who says it would work in his daughter's schedule, is enough to lure a sponsor.
It's time for the Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame induction. A very deserving David Ishii was inducted during a dinner ceremony on May 1st at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. Ishii will be playing in the Senior British Open in July at Turnberry in Scotland. It'll be Ishii's first trip to Scotland.
Here's one to make memories for life. It's called "Shoot Your Age Championship". Players only have to pay a $350 entry and have a valid drivers license or passport. The top 34 players will advance to the final round and compete against Gary Player and Arnold Palmer. Both Hall of Famers have shot their age in Champions Tour events. Palmer said "a golfer has to have mixed emotions about shooting his or her age. It's exciting but when and if it happens, it also means you have to be up in years." The event will be televised on CBS Sports at the Villages course near Orlando in Florida.
The Mauna Lani Cup Pro Amateur is coming up June 6th through the 11th. There's a $20,000 professional purse. The Mauna Lani Cup Package includes: 5 nights at the Mauna Lani, 5 rounds of golf, breakfast and lunch daily, tee prizes and awards, welcome reception and final night dinner and awards. Call 808 885 6622 for more information.
Sacred Hearts Academy freshman Ayaka Kaneko played in the LPGA Takefuji Classic at the Las Vegas Country Club. Good going Ayaka.
If you're interested in playing in the Jenny K. Wilson Invitational, where Kaneko lost in a playoff last year, there are spots open. You can get the entry forms at www.mpcchi.org.
Another Hawaii family is making a huge commitment to their daughter's future in the game of golf. Kimberly Kim and her mother have moved to Temecula California to be closer to the competition. Christine Kim, Kimberly's sister, already has her golf scholarship from the University of Colorado after her senior year, which is weeks away! Kimberly says the golf there is better. She told the Honolulu Advertiser's Bill Kwon "There's more competition and a lot more different types of courses" adding that the competition is 100 times more tough. "They have matches just about every week. It's all nine holes but the team is small and the coach is very organized so all the players manage to get involved." Kimberly plans to return to Hawaii to try to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open at Ko Olina.
In Florida, there is a Golf Course Operations Institute within the Indian River Community College. It's at the IRCC's St. Lucie West campus. The Golf Course Operations Institute offers instruction in golf course design, maintenance and irrigation as well as information on turf grass plus a six hole golf course laboratory for students to practice their lessons. Students who complete the program earn an associate's degree in applied science. For information call Mike Platt at 772 336 6223.
This month, on April 29th, Tiger Jam IX features Sting at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Augusta National under rainy conditions during the 2006 Masters
Now to the first of the four majors in golf for men, and if Michelle Wie has her way, women one day as well. It's the Masters at Augusta and the coveted green jacket and the winner is the first of the four who'll play in the most difficult event to get into, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Poipu Golf Course on Kauai. After four days of golf, and lots of rain, and a final day that saw most of the field finishing Saturday's round on Sunday before starting the final round, the folks at Augusta got an amazing final day. With the lead changing hands several times, it finally went to Phil Mickleson who managed to hold on to it while playing 32 holes of great golf.
Phil Mickleson after his Masters 2006 win gets his green jacket from Tiger Woods
It was close all the way. Tim Clark finished two shots back alone at second and then there was third place, shared by Jose Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen, Tiger Woods, Chad Campbell and Fred Couples.
Tim Clark reacts after sinking a birdie from a bunker on No. 18 to finish in second place at 5-under par during the final round of the 2006 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 9, 2006. Photo by Chris Thelen/The Augusta Chronicle
Mickleson had a tournament total of 281, a steady 70, 72, 70 and 69. Woods watched the tournament he wanted to win badly for his ailing father slip away through his putter.
Woods hit the most beautiful approach shots but his short game failed him miserably. One of the TV commentators put it well. He said it's really hard to play to win this game for anyone but your self. You have to be focused on the game and nothing else. I guess it's kind of like a jealous lover. It's got to be just you and the game and no one else.
A couple of "older" golfers did exceptionally well. Fred Couples hit a beautiful shot that got him out of the trees!
Fred Couples leans to check his view of the seventh hole during third round play of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 9, 2006. Photo by Associated Press
Ben Crenshaw, who won his last Masters green jacket 11 years ago, and won his first 11 years before that, was thrilled just to make the cut.
So Mickleson is the first of the four to qualify for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf which may be leaving Hawaii after 2006, heading for Las Vegas in 2007. That's what the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in a recent issue and Golf World ran the story after seeing it in the Las Vegas publication. Julius Mason, the director of communications and media relations for the PGA of America said "Don't believe everything you read." Adding "I told them that that was not accurate information and that we had only announced the 2006 PGA Grand Slam of Golf dates." We'll see.
Phil Mickleson, the first of four in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in November 2006 at Poipu.
Looks like they need more space for the gallery but the issue is how long to make the course play for the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 9, 2006. Photo By Associated Press.
As the membership of Augusta continue to lengthen their golf course to keep up with the equipment changes, and are criticized for doing so by some of the most respected golfers in the world, the former CEO of the PGA of America Jim Autrey came up with what I think is a less expensive and more effective solution. During his address to the American Society of Golf Course Architects after receiving their top compliment, the Donald Ross Award, Autrey said just lower par for a course. But Awtrey went on to say he was told "any par less than 70 isn't considered a full sized golf course. I still don't understand why not. If you want less red on the scorecard, adjust the par downward. Sure, some players will complain and the media will sensationalize it but at the end of the week, the same golfers will be at the top of the leader board. So what difference would it really make." Lower par for the Tour players. Sounds like an inexpensive, smart idea.
The USGA has been doing a lot of research to tackle the technology versus golf course design debate. At Masters.com the results were posted. The USGA's president and an Augusta National member, Walter Driver, made the presentation.
"We thought that people who are avid golfers would be interested in actual facts and measurements with respect to the performance of golfers in today's world with new technology. We want to give people access to some of the facts and dispel some of the myths that develop around every golf era, and new golf technology in particular."
The myths and the USGA's findings include:
MYTH 1: Golfers with faster swing speeds hit today's advanced golf balls farther than they did balls introduced before 2000.
Findings: Physics, scientific tests and actual results on the PGA Tour all confirm that faster-swinging players have not gained a disproportionate amount of distance from modern golf balls. For example, Corey Pavin, the shortest hitter in 2000, gained about the same distance from 2000 to 2005 (7.4 yards) as the longest hitter, John Daly (8.7 yards).
MYTH 2: Golf-ball distance is not currently limited.
Findings: Golf ball distance has been regulated since 1976, and golf ball rebound characteristics have been regulated since the 1940s. In 2004, the USGA updated its testing methodology to more closely reflect the athleticism and clubs of today's tour pros. All golf balls played on tour passed the USGA's distance-limit test.
MYTH 3: Driving distance on the PGA Tour is rapidly increasing.
Findings: Though average distance has increased significantly in the past 10 years, it has leveled off since 2003. The average increase between 2003 and 2006 is about a yard per year.
MYTH 4: The long hitters on the PGA Tour finish higher on the money list.
Findings: On average, the top 10 driving-distance players have fallen on the money list in recent years. From 1980 to 1985, the top drivers' average rank was 64.2. From 2000 to 2005, their ranking dropped to 77.1.
MYTH 5: Most PGA Tour players swing at 120 mph or more.
Findings: The average swing speed on the PGA Tour is about 113 mph.
MYTH 6: The USGA ball test doesn't control ball distance well enough because pros' swings are different than the test method.
Findings: The USGA uses a 120 mph swing speed in its ball trials.
MYTH 7: The average distance for 5-irons on tour is more than 200 yards.
Findings: The PGA Tour Shotlink system, which records virtually all shots throughout the season, shows the average 5-iron shot from fairway to green is approximately 185 yards. From the tee on par 3s, the pros hit a 5-iron 197 yards on average.
MYTH 8: You get more distance by putting topspin on a drive.
Findings: All normally struck shots have backspin, which generates lift and keeps the ball in the air. Balls hit with topspin dive into the ground and go a short distance.
The USGA research is not infallible, however. Golf's evolution has been rapid. Consider these points in conjunction with the USGA's myths:
- Though the golf-ball distance is limited, the USGA's overall distance standard limit made a quantum leap from 296.8 yards to 320 yards in 2003 to account for advances in club technology. The swing speed used in the test increased from 109 mph to 120 mph to reflect these changes.
- Though driving distance has flattened out in recent years, as the USGA statistics show, it certainly grew unabated throughout the 1990s and earlier this decade. For example, 29-year-old John Daly led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 1995 with a 289-yard average. Seven years later, an older and heavier Daly led the tour at 306 yards off the tee - a whopping 17-yard increase.
- While fewer long hitters reign on the money list, most of the top players average 300 yards or better. Half of 2005's top 10 money winners, including the top 3 of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, crush the ball. Top players rely more on length now than two decades ago. In 1985, none of the top 10 money leaders ranked among the top 10 in driving distance. In 1984, only three did.
For more information, go to www.augusta.com or get in touch with Adam Van Brimmer at adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.
Our tip this month on improving your game comes to us from the very people who design these golf courses to protect their greens from your golf ball's approach. Those architects who strategically place bunkers and trees and water hazards in the middle of the lovely fairway trying to make our lives just a little more crazed while we're just trying to play a game.
Here it is: Take your scorecard, turn it around and look at hole from the flagstick. It's much easier to see the path you'll need to take to get there. That is unless you can crush the ball right to the green!
Texas congressman Michael Burgess has introduced H.R. 4902, detailing Bryon Nelson's record on and off the course and asking Congress to award Nelson with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest award a civilian can receive. If you agree, contact your representatives. So far 227 have become co sponsors and 290 are required plus 67 senators.
Thank you for your Mana, and may you hit the sweet spot every time.
Aloha,
Danielle
