Michelle Wie probably won’t be making any unnecessary stops in Havre de Grace anytime soon. Drama seems to find the 17-year-old Hawaiian golfer whenever she visits the Harford County locale.
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On Thursday, LPGA commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens chimed in on Wie?s controversial withdrawal from last weekend’s Ginn Tribute at Mount Pleasant, S.C.
“I think that leaving the tournamentand coming to practice [at Bulle Rock] when one had pulled out with a wrist [injury] was not very respectful,” Bivens said.
Wie?s first day of practice in the McDonald?s LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock was Saturday. She withdrew from the Ginn Tribute after 16 holes, citing a wrist injury. Many speculated that she bowed out for fear of shooting an 88, which would eliminate her from touring in 2007. She was at 14-over-par at the time of her withdrawal.
Bivens mentioned a concern about Wie?s future, but would not speculate as to whether those around the non-touring pro have her best interests in mind.
“We want them to be here 30 years from now,” Bivens said. “We don’t want them to come out here for a year or two ? and burning out early.”
At the 2006 LPGA Championship, Wie was the center of numerous comments from her fellow players in regards to her playing on the PGA Tour. On Tuesday, Annika Sorenstam, the host of the Ginn Tribute, did not hold back, saying Wie had a “lack of respect and class” for her withdrawal last weekend.
Other golfers have been a bit more reserved.
“It’s been a bit of a circus, I guess you could say ? that’s for sure,” Morgan Pressel said.
A rumor began circulating Thursday that Wie?s parents had been asked to leave the course Wednesday. A course official distinctly denied that rumor Thursday afternoon.
Bivens would not comment about an alleged complaint from Wie?s playing partners from Monday’s pro-am. Some reports stated the complaint was based upon Wie?s interaction with her playing foursome ? Ted Perlman, George Pimentel, Doug Perry and John Ulowetz. Wie left the eighth green quickly and sat down on the McDonald?s logo tee marker on the ninth hole while her playing partners approached the tee box.
Wie has been careful in how she deals with the media this week. On Monday, her agent, Greg Nared, a former University of Maryland basketball player, whisked Wie off the ninth green before the media could ask any questions.
Wie wore a dark brace on her left wrist Thursday. In Monday’s pro-am, she wore a small, light-brown wrap on her right wrist, but nothing on the left wrist.
