Has Michelle Wie had enough of golf?
Michelle Wie, who grew up playing golf more passionately than anything else, is struggling to keep the impression live that she is still as ambitious a player as she used to be when she was just 10 years old.
Wie started playing even before she was 10 years old and soon discovered that she had what it took to shine in professional golf.
Thanks to rigorous practice and good mentoring from the start, the American star first proved her mettle when she made it to the United States Golf Association (USGA) amateur championship at just 10, becoming the youngest player to achieve the honour.
However, several observers say that Wie is losing her charisma, as she has failed to deliver on the promises she made when she used to play junior golf. Still, the player has enough talent to prove her critics wrong.
At the age of 13, her amazing swing skills led Tom Lehman, a prominent golfer, to nickname her “The Big Wiesy” — something analysts said reflected her credibility in the eyes of professional golfers.
Turning professional in 2005, Wie knew what it was like to play among big names, and she lived up to the expectations of her fans.
She set foot in the full-fledge sport when she received her LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour membership in the 2009 season.
The season proved a turning point for the 22-year-old, as she recorded her first LPGA victory. She played surprisingly well in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational on November 15, 2009.
She inflicted a 2-shot defeat on her nearest rival Paula Creamer. Wie had expressed her feelings after hoisting the coveted trophy, saying this was what she had been looking for.
“I'd always planned this extravagant, Tiger-like reaction — fist pumps, jumping around. But I froze [laughs]. I just put my hand over my mouth and was, like, "Umm, this would be the time to do something crazy." I was too overwhelmed. Tears were coming down,” she said shared.
She added, "Relief. And puuuuure happiness. I did it. All the hard work paid off. I realize I want to do it — win — over and over. The feeling is awesome. It made me even more motivated".
Analysts said that the player was going really well and had managed to gain enough confidence, however, she faced trouble adding more victories — a factor that has been putting a drag on her performance for months.
She recorded her second LPGA win at the CN Canadian Women’s Open in August 29, 2010. She grabbed an impressive 3-stroke victory, surging past big names like Jiyai Shin, Kristy McPherson, current number three Suzann Pettersen and Jee Young lee.
After winning the 2010 CN Canadian Women’s Open, Wie’s star seemed to stall, as she has been winless since then.
Although she still tries to regain her lost momentum in vain attempts at different events, she appears to have lost her swing skill.
That was a feat that once helped her eclipse the popularity of several LPGA giants and made her a special player on the Tour.
Given her latest stats, Wie looks completely devastated, as she missed the cut at the LPGA Lotte Championship 2012.
She carded an unimpressive 78 and 76 in the first and second round respectively, walking off the course with her head down.
Another setback the 22-year-old has to face currently is that she has given a miss to the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. The tournament is going to start from April 26-29, at Magnolia Grove’s Crossings Club.
Analysts said that missing out on another opportunity will put a much deeper dent in Wie’s once-respected stature.
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