Wie WD Follow Up

It's almost unfathomable to think that just 364 days ago PGATour.com's Brett Avery was texting us updates on Michelle Wie's U.S. Open qualifying quest. Here we are a year later and Wie's game is a mess, and it's clear that the management of her career is in shambles. Meanwhile, the events of last Thursday raise serious questions about the integrity of her advisors and LPGA Tour officials.

I'll be curious to see how the weekly publications cover the madness that took place last Thursday and whether they will focus on the purported and unprovable rules violation by father B.J. Wie, or if they zero in on the big picture story of her forced withdrawing at the apparent insistence of her advisors, with assistance from the LPGA's COO (and with the LPGA Commissioner on property).

While some stories focused on the possible rules violation, Eric Adelson's ESPN.com account raises plenty of questions about the behavior of folks calling themselves adults. These fine folks essentially told a young woman to stop playing, embellish the truth about an injury, and all so that she would be eligible for the remainder of the year. (Let's forget the silliness of the 88 rule for a moment, because it is a rule nonetheless.)

So let's review.

First, if there were any doubts cast from the LPGA offices about come of Adelson's observations, Golfweek's reliable Beth Ann Baldry reaffirms Adelson's original account after looking at the possible rules violation.

Golfweek's Rex Hoggard opted not to delve into the specifics of the WD and instead focused on why Wie's even playing in the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, with these tough quotes from Retief Goosen:

“The players in general feel it is not right,” said Goosen, competing this week at the Wales Open. “If she qualifies to play in an event then fine, but there are youngsters and good players coming up who could have taken that spot and broken through. We all know with her playing in the men’s events that she is not going to get anywhere, so I’m not really sure what she is trying to achieve.”

While that's a fair question, it's the annectodal evidence about the events last Thursday that cry out for tough questions regarding the conduct of COO Chris Higgs in giving the appearance of having suggested to her agent the ramifications of a high score, but then claimed he had made a trip out to Wie's group for "no particular reason."

As Ron Green noted, Wie seemed intent on finishing and only stopped at the insistence of her advisors, who appeared to be in close contact with LPGA officials.

And if Green's observations weren't enough, Sal Johnson at GolfObserver noted:

In a interview with Golf Channel's Kay Cockrill [Sp.], Wie said that she was going to ice down both of her wrist and practice in the morning, then try to play next week in the McDonald's LPGA Championship.

As someone who has hurt their wrist playing golf, the last thing you want to do is think about hitting golf balls the next day if you are in any pain at all.

Wie's post round press conference appearance stinks too, not necessarily because of Wie's answers, but again, because of the LPGA's conduct.

Adelson writes of initial questions about her WD:

An LPGA official answered that question for her, saying, "Michelle, thank you for coming in after your withdrawal from the tournament because of your wrist. Are you optimistic from here on out once your wrist does heal?"

Yet, the opening comment from the LPGA official is not in the transcript because the recording had not "started."

DANA GROSS-RHODE: (Recording started) Are you optimistic from here on out once your wrist does heal?

MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, you know it felt good when was practicing but, you know, I kind of like tweaked it in the middle of round a little bit.  So just taking caution measures, and I know what to work on. The only way to go up from here is up, so I'm feeling pretty good about it.

DANA GROSS-RHODE: And it was the wrist injury, the wrist injury and is what forced the WD?

MICHELLE WIE: Yes. 

Love the follow up after you've told her why she withdrew!

Now why is all of this important?

Adults lied because they have a lot riding on Michelle Wie's shoulders and they need her eligible for play the rest of 2007. People lie about much worse things every day that impact lives.

For me, the LPGA Tour is on the cusp of emerging as a strong and exciting tour, but questions are all too often emerging about the Commissioner's office and a disregard for rules, integrity, tradition and basic decency.

It's one thing for the Wie family to have taken the measures they did and disappointing that they would put their daughter up to lying. They will have to live with themselves and the consequences of mismanaging their daughter's career, and Michelle will have her millions to comfort her should this golf thing not work out.

No, I find the LPGA Tour's complicity in the whole affair much more disturbing and potentially damaging to the Tour's future well being to be the real story here.

Your thoughts? 

The Heart Of The (88) Matter

In the wake of the unseemly Michelle Wie WD at the Ginn Open, the entire idea of quitting to avoid the wrath of the LPGA's Rule of 88 was put into perspective by MacKinzie Kline, who posted a second round 89, making her (as a non-LPGA member) ineligible for the rest of the year.

And it didn't even cross her mind. Or anyone else's. Tod Leonard writes:

Mac Kline, who was born with a congenital heart defect, was the first player to use a golf cart and oxygen during an LPGA Tour event. With favorable temperatures in the low 80s yesterday, she said she didn't start using oxygen until the fifth hole.

“It was better than I thought it would be,” she said.

A significant part of Kline's appearance in the Ginn was to raise awareness for the Children's Heart Foundation. Kline makes national appearances for CHF and has made it her goal to raise $1 million for research that may one day save her own life. She has already raised more than $750,000.

“My gosh, I talked to (Ginn representative) Ryan Julison today, and he said we've reached millions of people because of what Mac did this week,” John Kline said. “There's going to be so much more awareness of the Children's Heart Foundation. I think the money is going to pour in from all over the world.

“There were a few LPGA players who came by to talk to Mac today. And they said, 'You're awesome. Go out and play. Have fun.' ”

Mac Kline insisted she took that advice.

“It was really, really fun,” she said. “It was all very exciting.”

Quite the contrast. For more on Kline, check out her website.

"She seemed intent on finishing her round"

Nice notice (and photo) by golf.com of Ron Green Jr.'s blog post that adds another dimension to the Michelle Wie WD saga.

When she withdrew Thursday, she was 14-over par with two watery holes to play. Two pars would get her in at 86. In other words, there was little margin for error.

Wie seemed surprised when her manager, Greg Nared, stopped her as she walked to the eighth tee (her 17th) Thursday. She seemed intent on finishing her round, but Nared and Wie’s parents had been talking for a couple of holes and Nared had been on the phone with LPGA officials.

Questions For The Commissioner

If you haven't read Eric Adelson's account of the disturbing antics that took place with Michelle Wie's Ginn/Annika withdrawal, you must. While Adelson clearly observed some disturbing behavior on the part of B.J. Wie and agent Greg Nared while making some sad observations about Michelle's state of mind, left unanswered are bigger questions about the LPGA Tour's behavior.

According to Adelson, both LPGA Chief Operations Officer Chris Higgs and Commissioner Carolyn Bivens were present at various points in the round, particularly Higgs just before the crucial moment when Wie's wrist magically became unbearable, coincidentally after Nared happened to have spoken to her! 

Reader Four-putt brings up an innocent but vital question, namely, why was agent Greg Nared on a cell phone when they are not allowed? That leads to other more vital questions. Was Nared on the phone with someone clarifying the LPGA's rule Rule of 88 rendering 88 shooter's and higher ineligible for the rest of the year? Adelson writes:

Chris Higgs, the LPGA Chief Operations Officer, soon drove up in a cart and spoke with Nared. Higgs had been talking about the Rule of 88 in the media tent, but he said he came out to Wie's ropeline for "no particular reason."

Was Higgs informing Nared that he could not use a cell phone, or was he explaining the Rule of 88?

"No particular reason" doesn't cut it.

Furthermore, let's say Higgs was explaining the Rule of 88 ramifications, did he suggest that Wie should withdraw if she would like to play in LPGA events later in the year? And if so, was Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, who was on the course at points in her round, involved in this discussion?

There have been questions for some time about Carolyn Bivens' regard for the rules of tournament player, dating back to the events that led to Barb Trammell's ouster and to that bizarre Annika-Paula Creamer incident. But this episode may have more significant ramifications because Bivens and here COO were directly involved in the decision and were directly or indirectly communicating with a player on the course through her agent.

And were LPGA officials involved in the decision to explain the reason for the withdrawal so that Wie would not have to in the post round press conference? 

This is of course why Tim Finchem gets the big bucks. He wouldn't have been caught dead within three states of such a debacle.

Anyway, I'm sure you all have more questions for the Commissioner, so please post them. Not that she'll likely step into the press tent to answer any.

"Soon after her score ballooned to 12-over on the par-72 course, her parents began consulting with each other and William Morris manager Greg Nared, who had a cell phone to his ear."

Eric Adelson at ESPN.com paints a richly detailed, compelling and ultimately stunning portrayal of the events surrounding Michelle Wie's first round WD from the Ginn/Annika event. Thanks to reader Steve for spotting this fine reporting, which you should read in its entirety.

The highlights. Or lowlights.

Wie landed in the bunker on 14, and then came one of the oddest holes of her brief pro career. She pushed her drive into the trees on the par-3 15th, then searched for her ball. Her mother, father, caddie and a family friend helped look for it before she called an unplayable lie.

Then Wie's father, B.J., said something to her caddie. More than one reporter present heard him say, "What about the tee?" Within seconds, Michelle decided to go back to the tee to hit again. She told her playing partners to putt out as she walked back to the beginning of the hole.

Playing partner Janice Moodie cautioned B.J. about Rule 8-1, which forbids a player from soliciting advice. "During a stipulated round," the rule states, "a player must not ... ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies." The penalty is two strokes. After Wie blocked her second shot and ended up with a triple-bogey, B.J. approached rules official Angus McKenzie and spoke with him for several minutes while his daughter moved to the next hole. McKenzie said later that B.J. had an explanation for the interaction, saying that he was only asking the caddie, "What are the options?"

Technically, there is no rules violation, since Michelle did not actively ask for help. But McKenzie told B.J., "When in doubt, don't."

Sharp had the same concerns. "Anybody can say something from outside the ropes," she said. "But he was too close. He's always so close to her. You're going to get your daughter in trouble. Everyone at the range was talking about it."

Oh but it gets worse. Much worse.

Meanwhile, Wie's body language began to match her game. She slumped her shoulders and sighed repeatedly. She showed little energy, even in the form of frustration, trudging along to her ball and taking less than the usual time lining up putts. She said almost nothing to her playing partners or to her caddie. And no wonder. Her round felt like a geological excursion, going from water to pavement to sand to tall grass.

Then came the bottom: the par-5 third hole. Wie's tee shot veered out of bounds, into a street, and down a storm drain. LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens, who suddenly appeared on the fringe of the fairway, stood by as a little boy got on his hands and knees to peer into the drain in search of the ball. Wie played a provisional and hooked that into a pond. She walked toward the street in hopes of finding her ball, then turned and retraced her steps to the tee for the second time during the round. She eventually carded a quintuple-bogey 10, and stood at 12-over after 12 holes.

Now missing the cut became the least of Wie's troubles. The somewhat obscure Rule of 88 states that a non-member who shoots 88 is forced to withdraw and subsequently banned from LPGA co-sponsored events for the remainder of the calendar season. Wie said later that she never considered the possibility, but soon after her score ballooned to 12-over on the par-72 course, her parents began consulting with each other and William Morris manager Greg Nared, who had a cell phone to his ear. Chris Higgs, the LPGA Chief Operations Officer, soon drove up in a cart and spoke with Nared. Higgs had been talking about the Rule of 88 in the media tent, but he said he came out to Wie's ropeline for "no particular reason."

Wie's score climbed to 14-over, and then, after finishing up on the seventh hole, Nared spoke to Wie briefly before she announced, "We're not going to play anymore."

Wie had a 43 on the front and was at 7-over 35 on the back -- two bogeys shy of 88. She shook hands with her competitors, glumly climbed into a cart, and rode to the clubhouse, where she met behind closed doors with her parents and Nared. The four spoke for 15 minutes, then an ice pack was brought in for Wie's left wrist. Wie then walked to the media tent without the ice pack.

Oh but yes, there's even more.

So why did she withdraw?

An LPGA official answered that question for her, saying, "Michelle, thank you for coming in after your withdrawal from the tournament because of your wrist. Are you optimistic from here on out once your wrist does heal?"

Wie's reply: "Yeah, it felt good when I was practicing but I kind of tweaked it in the middle of the round a little bit. So just taking cautionary measures, and I know what to work on. The only way to go up from here is up, so I'm feeling pretty good about it."

Later, she elaborated: "Well, I think that when an injury is in the back of your mind, you're thinking, 'Oh, this is going to hurt.' The last thing you're thinking about is trying to hit the ball straight.'

That, combined with her stilted follow through, shows that her injury has not healed. And yet Wie did not shake her wrist or show any sign of discomfort during the round. Last season, she grabbed her wrist on several occasions, even during press conferences.

"She wasn't holding her wrist," Sharp said. "I think she just had a bad day. If it was her wrist, why wait until the last two holes [to withdraw]?"

That question will probably never be answered. Nor will the question of what happened with her father and her caddie on the fifth hole. "I don't know," Wie told reporters. "It's a long way back."

And it's a long way back for Wie herself. The withdrawal will not affect her world ranking, but she has not broken par in an LPGA event since last July. That doesn't include all the trouble she's faced in recent men's events. The season's second major awaits next week at the LPGA Championship in Maryland, and -- assuming she plays -- she will face more questions about her withdrawal, her wrist, her swing, and the involvement of her parents. But the most worrisome question may be about her state of mind.

"I kind of felt bad for her," Sharp said. "She didn't seem happy."

Wow. 

Wie WD's

From "a fan in South Carolina" who was taking in the Ginn Tribute Hosted By Annika, Michelle Wie started par-bogey-double-bogey-triple, birdied 18 to make the turn at 7-over then made 10 after three tee shots on the par-5 third, her 12th hole. 

 

She wass 13-over through 14 holes and 14-over through 16 before WD'ing with wrist pain. Of course is shot 88, as a non-LPGA member, she would have been ineligible for the duration of the season.

I don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time feeling good about B.J. Wie these days.

"It's a Rubik's Cube, it all has to fit together."

Thanks to LPGA Fan for spotting the Brand Lady's interview in what seems like ages. From Charleston's Post and Courier (she saves her time for the big platforms!), interviewed by Tommy Braswell:

When you first took over as LPGA commissioner, there seemed to be a lot of controversy. But things have settled down. Are you happy with the LPGA's direction now?

"I'll speak for myself and my staff.

That's right, only you be so presumptuous!

We're very happy with the direction things are going. We made some changes and went through all the bumps in the road last year. We're in a much stronger position this year. We've added three new tournaments. And redoing a little bit of our schedule has made a difference for the players and, I think, the attendance at some of the events. We're very strongly focused on next year, and several of us are working on years 2009 and out. I think not only what you see this year, but what you'll see in 2008, 2009 and 2010, you'll really see the direction the LPGA is headed."

When you first came to the LPGA did you expect it to be a smooth transition?

"I knew that making change wasn't going to be easy. What I did underestimate was how public it was going to be."

And whose fault is that again?

Your thoughts on drug testing?

"We are being proactive for a couple of reasons. Number one is that our sport in Europe already has been testing for several years. We were almost tested at Evian last year. So we need to get into the world in which we compete. Number two, I do believe with a group of women it's a little different in terms of drug testing. From the time women are 17, 18 years old, there are certain hormones one takes until the time they're 50 to 55 years old. So we have a much bigger job of education before implementing drug testing. We wanted the opportunity to do this in the right way and to educate women and be ready as opposed to having to react to something."

Why can't she be that coherent on other issues?

What's your take on the LPGA's TV ratings?

"They're up overall. They're up again, 2005 over 2004, 2006 over 2005, and so far (in 2007) they're up again."

What kind of goals do you have regarding TV ratings?

"We did start from a smaller base, but so did the Champions Tour and so do a lot of other sports. Nonetheless, we're the only ones bucking the trend. Our trend line is in the right direction. The specific numbers for the Ginn Open (an April event in Florida) was 1.3, which is one great rating.

Let's not jump for joy just yet!

And the last three hours going to The Golf Channel, it was 410,000, which again is a very big number. There's no way you can attribute it to anything else but the women and the caliber of play."

Jeese, you'd think she just outdrew the final night of American Idol! 

Have the young faces helped?

"No question, newness does have an interest. But make no mistake, Juli Inkster and some of the others have very big followings.

I mean, who isn't checking her scores hourly?

I think it's the combination of having the Morgan Pressels and the Juli Inksters still out there and still being competitive. Juli is not out there as a hobby. She's still winning tournaments and finishing in the top 10. It's the combination that makes the product so exciting. There's nothing else like it in sports."

Ah the product. And here we are 400 words into this and not one brand reference!

South Carolina has a mixed history with LPGA tournaments. What's the secret of keeping tournaments?

"The LPGA has done a pretty good job of keeping tournaments. One of the things is matching up the corporate sponsor, a good golf course and a community where you can get volunteers and available TV times. It's a Rubik's Cube, it all has to fit together.

 I thought we were going to try to cut down on the metaphors, Carolyn?

"Natalie is even prettier on the inside."

From Steve DiMeglio's USA Today story on what a hot babe fine humanitarian Natalie Gulbis is:

"The calendar is a reflection of my personality — there's a little golf, fitness, casual and swimsuits," she says of her latest calendar. "I think it's important for fans to see a different side of you."

LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens doesn't have a problem with the calendar.

Uh oh, this ought to be good.

"If you're in shape enough and gorgeous enough to do a calendar, in a swimsuit or other outfits, be my guest," Bivens says. "We have a lot of women who are showing that it's OK to be an attractive woman and a world-class athlete at the same time. They are not mutually exclusive.

You'd hope she would stop right there, but no, not our Carolyn!

"And Natalie is even prettier on the inside. The way she conducts herself on the tour, how much she cares and is respectful of her fellow players and the fans, makes her a role model."

I think I can speak for most of us and say, that's why we buy her calendar: her beautiful insides.

The Road Hole As A Par-5?!

Thanks to reader Jordan for noticing this bizarre plan for the Old Course and this summer's Women's British Open...

At the last men's British Open, the course was stretched to more than 7,000 yards. For the women, it will be a tournament-record 6,638 yards with a par of 73. The 17th hole, known as the Road Hole, will be stretched to 453 yards as a par-5.

So for the men in 2005, the fairway contour juts in to stop the men from hitting wedge in (see aerial to the left), while the hole is too long for the women? I don't think so.

Mi Hyun's Generosity

The LPGA's Mi Hyun Kim makes a generous donation to aid victims of the Greensburg, Kansas tornado.

Thanks to reader Noonan for noticing this classy gesture.

Women's British News

They get a new sponsor (Ricoh) and some fine future venues...

Carolyn Bivens, Commissioner of the LPGA commented, "I am delighted that Ricoh will be sponsoring one of our Major Championships. The tournament is played on some of the world's most famous courses and showcases many of the greatest golfers in the world. We are looking forward to travelling to St Andrews in August for the first of what I am sure will be many Ricoh Women's British Open Championships."

It just rolls off the tongue...Richoh Women's British Open.

And...

Sunningdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Royal Birkdale set to be Venues for the 2008-2010 Ricoh Women’s British Open

2nd May 2007

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club and Royal Birkdale Golf Club will host the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2009 and 2010, with the Championship Committee in the final stages of negotiations with Sunningdale Golf Club to host the 2008 Championship, following this year’s historic visit to the Old Course, St Andrews.

Bivens' Salary

A wire story from reader Nick and LPGA Fan:

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Daniel Kaplan cites an LPGA tax return as showing that Commissioner Carolyn Bivens earned $238,872 in the last six months of ’05, her first months on the job, which means her pay “would come to almost $478,000 annually.” Bivens’ predecessor, Ty Votaw, earned $459,677 in ’04 and $300,000 in ’03 (SBJ, 4/9 issue)....

Ginn Open Photo Caption Uh...Explanation

Any idea what this is that we're calling a trophy (held by Ginn Open winner Brittany Lincicome)?

 

" Where have you gone, Martha Burk?"

The Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi manages to turn some mildly oblivious responses from Annika and Nancy Lopez into a hysterical (in more ways than one) rant about the lack of photo-opportunistic feminist leadership in sports. 

Brace yourselves... 

Her response -- correction: her non-response -- is both shocking and disappointing.

Here's the exchange between Annika Sorenstam and me Wednesday during her pre-tournament news conference for the LPGA Ginn Open:

"Annika, some derogatory comments were made about the Rutgers women's basketball team the other day; obviously, you've heard about them . . ."

Before I can finish, Annika stops me cold with her response.

"No, I haven't."

You haven't?

"No," she says, shaking her head.

Uncomfortable pause.

All I can think of to say at this point is, "Never mind."

All she can think of to say is, "Sorry."

Yeah, I'm sorry, too.

Sorry because herein lies the colossal problem facing female athletes in their ongoing battle against sexism in the sports arena: Nobody cares enough to speak up or stand up for them.

Where have you gone, Martha Burk?

A gender turns its lonely eyes to you.

Oy. 

LPGA Line of Succession Established

Copied and pasted with the LPGA's deranged font settings and spacing kept intact:

Galloway named LPGA deputy commissioner

REUNION, Fla., April 11, 2007 – Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens today named Elizabeth “Libba” Galloway to the newly created position of deputy commissioner.  The announcement was made following the LPGA’s spring Board of Directors meeting in Reunion, Fla.

           “I am pleased to name Libba to the position of deputy commissioner,” Bivens said.  “Libba’s leadership, insight and commitment to the growth of the LPGA in all facets of our business have been significant in the LPGA’s success.  She will continue to lead the organization for corporate governance and compliance. Libba and I will share the activities we have underway with various association business, including representation of the LPGA in the golf industry and in women’s sports.”

           Galloway most recently held the position of executive vice president, office of the commissioner, where she was responsible for corporate governance and compliance as well as the association’s legal affairs, tournament operations staff and the LPGA’s television distribution.

In addition, she has taken on leadership positions with numerous organizations outside the LPGA on various Boards of Directors: the College of William and Mary Alumni Association; the Sports Lawyers Association; the Daytona Beach and Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce; and the Florida Tennis Center Foundation.

“Carolyn and the entire professional staff of the LPGA have made tremendous strides in the last year and I look forward to continuing what has been one of the most professionally satisfying experiences of my tenure with the LPGA,” said Galloway. “The members of the LPGA are world-class golfers and world-class people and I'm thrilled to be part of our organization's continued growth and success.”

Galloway has a wide range of legal experience, including commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, sports law, financing and regulatory, corporate, real estate and banking law.  Prior to joining the LPGA in February 2000, Galloway was a partner in the Cincinnati-based firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, where she was a member of the business and finance department.  For two years prior to her Taft position, Galloway was an associate for Louisville-based Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald in the real estate and finance department.