Of course, it's getting ridiculous that Michelle Wie still is getting exemptions to play in men's tournaments. She is at it again, this week at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. The timing is awful, what with Wie just starting to bring her game into shape. She just needs to keep playing in regular women's pro events and not in circuses.
No less an authority than GolfWorld editor Ron Sirak, who has followed her career as closely as anyone and has been supportive of Wie, said she should go the standard route, going steadily through the Duramed Futures Tour and building a solid resume.
The fact that she screwed up a chance to win two weeks ago by forgetting to sign her scorecard is proof that she needs more seasoning and less scrutiny. And she needs to lose the condescending streak that had her respond to a legitimate opinion from PGA Tour player Jay Williamson, questioning her exemption to Reno, by saying she had never even heard of Williamson. Silence is the most eloquent answer sometimes.
But having said all of that, a lot more of us will be paying attention to the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open now that Wie will be in it. The ending of each round will be in prime time on the Golf Channel. Let's face it, we all love a sideshow.