Wie looking poised to deliver after Solheim win

Published on Monday 24 August 2009 22:53

THIS was the Michelle Wie everyone was waiting to see. Freed up by the support of her team-mates, Wie played with the skill, confidence and daring that has long been expected of her. She won three of her matches in her Solheim Cup debut at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois – the best of the Americans – and looks primed to finally deliver on her considerable promise.

"People have seen a different side of me," Wie said after her tough, one-hole victory over former Europe captain Helen Alfredsson. "It's just been a lot of fun. There's nothing to describe it. ... This week in general has given me such a confidence boost."

Wie has been saddled since her schooldays with the burden of trying to be the female equivalent of Tiger Woods. She can outdrive some men – she launched a 305-yarder on one par-5 on Sunday, leaving her an 8-iron to the green – and won the Women's Amateur Public Links at the age of 13, making her the youngest winner of a USGA championship for adults. She teed it up with the men, and was in contention for major championships long before she had her driver's licence. But at 19, the LPGA Tour rookie is still looking for her first professional victory. Injuries and other mishaps had some wondering if she would eventually find her stride or fade away. Based on this week, though, it's not a case of if, but when.

"I would bet you a large amount of money that Michelle will win before the year is out," Juli Inkster said after the Americans won their third straight Solheim Cup with a 16-12 victory over Europe.

That's a bold statement, but few who saw Wie at Rich Harvest Farms would bet against it.

"Michelle was playing so well that it was just hard not to pick her," said US captain Beth Daniel, who used one of her two picks on Wie. "And she has continued that good play."

Equally impressive has been her attitude. Though Wie lets loose with the occasional fist pump, she often comes across as aloof or reserved. Not last week.

She may not ever be as energetic as Christina Kim, but she was animated from the minute she walked onto the first tee on Friday morning.

When she and Kim won their fourball match Saturday, it was Wie who turned to the crowd and cupped her hand to her ear, asking for more noise. She laughed when fans gave her her own cheer, a loud "Wheee!"

And when the Americans had clinched their victory on Sunday, she grabbed a big American flag and ran around the 18th green.

"I feel like I played great this week, and hopefully that will carry over," Wie said. "But you never know about golf. You can have a good week, you can have a bad week. But I know I had fun this week. "