Holy 14-over-par Batman

[Editude]

In almost every way possible the rules (of golf and growing up) don't seem to be applying to her. It's too bad.

 

[Moderator1]

Let's leave aside the issue of whether she should be playing PGA or LPGA events, her withdrawal and any career decisions being made by her parents, agent and other handlers.

There's a darker issue surrounding Wie that most of the media seem anxious to avoid taking on full-steam. And that's the fact that there's increasing evidence that she's a cheating little hussy.

1. Illegal drop in 2005 Samsung (pointed out by SI's Michael Bamberger). It was basic stuff -- she dropped closer to the hole.

2. Hitting an object (a piece of a divot) on her backswing inside a bunker at the 2006 Women's British Open, after her caddie at the time cautioned her about it. Again, basic rules 101: 8-year-old juniors know not to touch loose objects inside a bunker with their club. The Wie camp made sure she added two strokes to her card before she signed it (she had the cut made anyway), otherwise, it would have been a DQ for signing an incorrect card.

3. Last week, when her father gave her swing advice on the fifth hole. He was in the gallery and when she was debating on whether to drop after a bad drive into a hazard, or re-tee, he told her "go back to the tee." Playing partner Janice Moodie stepped into tell Daddy he couldn't do that. Had Wie not withdrawn because of the Rule 88, that would have been a major issue in the scoring area. Once again, pretty simple rule that almost every golfer knows.

So you have three rules violations in less than two years as a professional, none of which Wie called on herself. Indeed, after the British Open thing, she flippantly said that the rule book was boring reading.

Vijay Singh has been hounded his entire career for one suspected incident of cheating. How much more of a pass is Wie going to get. Or does her family's sense of entitlement extend to the rules?

Wow. That's a lot of very interesting stuff. Looking forward to reading your story on it.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Let's leave aside the issue of whether she should be playing PGA or LPGA events, her withdrawal and any career decisions being made by her parents, agent and other handlers.

There's a darker issue surrounding Wie that most of the media seem anxious to avoid taking on full-steam. And that's the fact that there's increasing evidence that she's a cheating little hussy.

1. Illegal drop in 2005 Samsung (pointed out by SI's Michael Bamberger). It was basic stuff -- she dropped closer to the hole.

2. Hitting an object (a piece of a divot) on her backswing inside a bunker at the 2006 Women's British Open, after her caddie at the time cautioned her about it. Again, basic rules 101: 8-year-old juniors know not to touch loose objects inside a bunker with their club. The Wie camp made sure she added two strokes to her card before she signed it (she had the cut made anyway), otherwise, it would have been a DQ for signing an incorrect card.

3. Last week, when her father gave her swing advice on the fifth hole. He was in the gallery and when she was debating on whether to drop after a bad drive into a hazard, or re-tee, he told her "go back to the tee." Playing partner Janice Moodie stepped into tell Daddy he couldn't do that. Had Wie not withdrawn because of the Rule 88, that would have been a major issue in the scoring area. Once again, pretty simple rule that almost every golfer knows.

So you have three rules violations in less than two years as a professional, none of which Wie called on herself. Indeed, after the British Open thing, she flippantly said that the rule book was boring reading.

Vijay Singh has been hounded his entire career for one suspected incident of cheating. How much more of a pass is Wie going to get. Or does her family's sense of entitlement extend to the rules?

In a not-quite-related-but-funny side story...

When I was in college, a few men's tennis players lived in my dorm and swore that Andy Roddick was a cheating biscuit in junior tournaments. One of them said "apparently I never hit a ball in on that motherforker's side" in reference to in/out honor code calls. I've probably covered tennis for a grand total of 6-7 days in my life, so I have no idea if that was sour grapes or a legitimate beef.

 

[BTExpress]

I can't speak for Roddick's actions while a junior, but FWIW . . .

A few years ago he showed some good sportsmanship that cost him a match in Rome.

Roddick was leading 5-3 in the second set and had triple match point when Fernando Verdasco appeared to hit a double fault. The line judge called the ball out but Roddick said the ball was in, giving Verdasco an ace.

Verdasco then saved two more match points, held serve, and broke Roddick to even the second set at 5-5. Verdasco went on to win 6-7 (1-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.

 

[zagoshe]

The best tennis/honor code story I have is I covered a girls high school district title match and one of the key matches -- I think it was No. 2 singles -- the one girl kept calling every close one on her side "out" and the other girl was just getting more and more pissed.

Finally there was a key point and sure enough it was a close one -- I think it actually hit the line but the same girl called it "out" and took the point and the game. The other girl went ballistic threw her racket over the net at the other and was screaming stuff like "you bench, that's bullshirt" then followed her down the net screaming at her until they got to the chairs where they took a break in between games and snatched her by her shirt, the whole time screaming -- they were pulled apart by their coaches.

Needless to say girl was disqualified by the officials from the league, mostly because they had given her a few warnings for "ball abuse" and things of the such, but it was clear her frustration came because the other girl just wasn't being honest.

I was about six months into my career at the time thinking "I'm going to love covering girls tennis...."

Since then, however, I have often wondered -- why don't they have referee's (or line judges or whatever they are called) in high school tennis? It makes no sense to me, especially since I covered the state matches that year and they did have line judges.

 

[Webster]

A friend was a nationally ranked junior player about 20 years ago. He had great things to say about Sampras when it came to sportmanship and lousy things to say about Chang and Andre.

 

[93Devil]

So when will we be able to buy the Maxim issue with Wie on the cover?

Any takers?

I'm guessing when she is 22 years old and the golf game has collapsed.

 

[nafselon]

A friend was a nationally ranked junior player about 20 years ago. He had great things to say about Sampras when it came to sportmanship and lousy things to say about Chang and Andre.

Not surprised about Sampras or Andre at that time (thankfully he grew up). Chang, I'm a little surprised.

I think Wie needs to go to college if just for a little while, end of story. Two years in a social environment away from her stupid ass father. She can grow up, mature and learn to think for herself. If she gets back on the pro tour at 20, 21 as a full-timer, she might have a chance.

 

[Hammer Pants]

The best tennis/honor code story I have is I covered a girls high school district title match and one of the key matches -- I think it was No. 2 singles -- the one girl kept calling every close one on her side "out" and the other girl was just getting more and more pissed.

Finally there was a key point and sure enough it was a close one -- I think it actually hit the line but the same girl called it "out" and took the point and the game. The other girl went ballistic threw her racket over the net at the other and was screaming stuff like "you bench, that's bullshirt" then followed her down the net screaming at her until they got to the chairs where they took a break in between games and snatched her by her shirt, the whole time screaming -- they were pulled apart by their coaches.

Needless to say girl was disqualified by the officials from the league, mostly because they had given her a few warnings for "ball abuse" and things of the such, but it was clear her frustration came because the other girl just wasn't being honest.

I was about six months into my career at the time thinking "I'm going to love covering girls tennis...."

Since then, however, I have often wondered -- why don't they have referee's (or line judges or whatever they are called) in high school tennis? It makes no sense to me, especially since I covered the state matches that year and they did have line judges.

I covered a few big SEC tennis matches in college and don't remember ever seeing line judges ... just one official up in the chair who could overrule player's honor code calls.

 

[poindexter]

Another Wiekend, another DFL. Wie finished 10 strokes behind the person who finished next-to-DFL. But I think she made thru the whole tournament without a rules violation, so there's something to hang your hat on.

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