David Leadbetter has worked with plenty of very successful professional golfers -- Nick Faldo and Ernie Els immediately come to mind -- but he is also Michelle Wie's swing coach.
Wie is arguably just as famous as either Faldo or Els but she isn't even in the same conversation when it comes to acquiring hardware since, you know, she has yet to win on the LPGA Tour. Still, Leadbetter continues to ply his trade, hoping that Wie's on-course talents will eventually overcome the off-course silliness that pervades her life (hi, B.J. and Bo!).
A year ago, he described Wie's situation as "Titanic-like" (but in a good way), and recently, he had more thoughts on Wie's (family's) career strategy that has included playing PGA events with predictable results.
Leadbetter ... on Wie's playing strategy that has included playing PGA Tour events: "It's a shock to me and to her agents that this is happening. I don't think the family is making the right choice. There's definitely more to lose than to gain.Dottie Pepper agrees with this message. Too bad B.J. doesn't give a crap.
"I've put too much time and effort into Michelle to be able to sit by and watch this happening without saying something. If she doesn't stick to doing what's sensible, we could see one of the greatest potential talents the game has ever known going to waste."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-19-2008 @ 12:11PM
jk said...
I saw an interview with the Big Weisy a year or so ago, and her dream was to play in The Masters....you don't get invited to the masters by winning LPGA events. She has to place in the Mens US Open or win a lot of moeny/get a high ranking on the mens tour to get invited to play at Augusta.
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8-21-2008 @ 6:10PM
pj said...
If David Leadbetter has something to say to Michelle Wie, he should say it to her in person rather than making statements like this to the press. I can't understand why anyone would hire a coach with this little discretion. This isn't as bad as what Butch Harmon did to Daly (who should have sued him for libel), but it's still pretty bad form. These guys will do anything to get their names in the paper. Awful.
Michelle - call me. I'll draft an agreement for your coaches that says they have to return all of their fees if they make comments like this in public.
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8-26-2008 @ 12:37PM
Skippy said...
Looks like Wie has Laura Dern Syndrome...being very cute when 15, but pretty much average looking once a grown woman.
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8-26-2008 @ 1:16PM
Anne said...
David Leadbetter has every right to say something about Michelle Wie, even if he is suppose to be coaching her. He has to watch this stupidity week after week, and wonder what the hell is going on. I would not be surprised if he quits with her, if this continues. Obviously her parents are making stupid decisions, with Michelle.
Let her go to QSchool and see if she makes it there, she may not if she forgets to sign her card.
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