EDINA, Minn. -- Admit it, you are a little surprised.
When second-round play was suspended because of darkness on Friday night at the U.S. Women's Open, Michelle Wie had one hole remaining to play and had zero chance of making the cut. Based on some of the questionable decisions and stunts her camp has pulled over the years with regard to poor judgment and unprofessional behavior, it was no foregone conclusion that she'd show at the crack of dawn to finish her day.
Yet when play resumed Saturday morning at 7 a.m., Wie played the ninth hole, where she had made a 9 in the first round, swallowed her medicine and missed the cut by a Minnesota mile -- six shots at 10 over.
In what might result in a major game-plan reversal in her personal camp, Wie's father indicated that she might be entering LPGA Qualifying School in the fall. Wie, 18, isn't exempt on any tour at the moment and has been playing on an apparently dwindling supply of sponsor exemptions.
I specifically asked Wie about her Q-School plans earlier this week, and she indicated it was not an option because it conflicted with the fall semester at Stanford, where she will begin her sophomore year in a few weeks. She said she hoped to secure a card by making enough money in her LPGA-sanctioned events this year to forgo Q-School. So far, while her results have improved over a forgettable and injury-ravaged 2007,she's made $21,457 in four starts this season. She has three more exemptions remaining this year.
"I think the qualifying conflicts with school, so I probably won't go to that," Wie said Tuesday. "But hopefully, I'll make enough money this year to get exempt for next year. I'll see how it goes. I'm having a lot of fun playing good again, so that's all I'm focusing on now."
However, her father made it sound as though Q-school was a distinct possibility.
"What other options do we have?" B.J. Wie told the Associated Press on Saturday morning.
As it stands, Wie would have to navigate through two stages of Q-School in order to secure her card for 2009.
Say this: Showing up to finish the round was at least a minor step toward demonstrating some professional maturity. Earnings her spot in the Open this week by going through sectional qualifying was another. Gaining a card by surviving Q-School would earn her even more respect for a player for whom rules have been rewritten to allow her access.
Funny how fast things can change. Two years ago, she was No. 2 in the world rankings. At this point, Wie is earning at least $10 million annually from various commercial entities, but her playing options are limited and they aren't getting much positive exposure. In short, Wie needs the LPGA far more than the tour needs her.
