Michelle Takes 5th Place at LPGA Major
Another disappointing weekend for Michelle Wie. After Saturday’s round putting her in contention on the leaderboard, she had a miniature meltdown at the end of round 4 on Sunday. Just one shot off the lead going into the 16th hole Michelle bogeyed two of the last three holes to knock her out of any chance of picking up her first win, and in a major no less.
It’s hard to tell if last week’s failed qualification in the men’s U.S. Open affected her mentally in the final holes of the McDonald’s tournament, but one had to wonder as she missed some terrific opportunities to either tie for the lead or gain it altogether. Yes, it is just a matter of time before Michelle gets her first win on the LPGA tour. She continually places in the top five against the ladies, and is arguably one of the top five women players in the world.
When Michelle does get that first win, you know that she will pick up the confidence she needs to stay focused in the final holes of these kinds of high-pressure tournaments. And when she gets that first win, one has to think that she will dominate women’s golf for many years to come.
June 14th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
I have been an ardent follower and supporter of Michelle Wie over the last few years, as well as the tactics followed. I was initially not impressed with the “win first, then move on to the big leagues” argument, thinking that the level of competition was the best teacher. After last weekend’s LPGA championship, and watching that awful wedge shot on 16, from abotu 123 yards, a standard simple shot that is supposed to play to one of her strengths, I am beginning to wonder. Too many people focus on the putting. But it is clearly not putting that lost her this tournament, or the earlier Kraft Nabisco, it is basically mental focus in key situations. Her wedge missed the 16th green, and ended up costing her par. On the 18th at Kraft Nabisco, a hurried chip from the fringe went way past the hole. In both cases all she had to do was to achieve par to be in a playoff, and in both cases she didn’t seem to see the situation she was in.
The emphasis on putting woes is too easy. She has to learn to focus and make sure her strengths carry her at crucial moments, and that is the mental part of the game. She is 16, so it is the part of the game most likely to be missing
In the case of both crucial shots, the tone of the TV commentators said it all: how could she do that in this situation? Forget swing mechanics, she has to focus on the mental issues behind her shots in pressure situations. That’s all.
I do think there may be a caddy problem here. Her caddy seems a bit too passive, when she needs stronger intervention. That would have saved her from that embarrassing disqualification, from the selection of a wedge to chip from the fringe instead of a putter or lower iron, and maybe the right words would have focused her on that wedge shot. Listen to how Steven Ames caddy exhorted him on at the Players Championship.
Michelle Wie will not reach her amazing potential unless someone sees the mental game is not there in crucial situations.
June 21st, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Well said Rob. The mental part of Michelle’s game has not been mentioned as of late as much as her putting, or chipping, club selection, blah, blah, blah.
Part of Tiger’s greatness is that he can focus in the most intense pressure situations. And his record of winning tournaments after leading for 3 days into Sundays speaks for itself. He rarely loses when he is in contention and it is down to the wire.
We all saw the lack of mental focus this last weekend at the men’s US open. Both Mickelson and Montgomerie basically gave the tournament away. It still amazes me to think that these guys at this level still have the same problems (mentally) that us hackers have in pressure situations. That’s why golf is so great. You can practice “life” out there. Hitting the ball in the hole is just the vehicle for practicing concentration and focus - skills that apply to many endeavors. Thanks for the comments.