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Woeful Wie disappoints on Euro debut

08/09/2006

Michelle Wie crumbled under the media attention accompanying her debut on the European Tour yesterday as she shot a seven-over-par 78 on day one of the European Masters in Switzerland.

The much-hyped American 16-year-old carded two birdies in Crans-sur-Sierre but also hit seven bogeys and one double-bogey as she struggled to master the shorter holes.

Her first-round score leaves her well off the early pace, set by English trio David Carter, Robert Coles and Anthony Wall who share the lead on five under par.

"I had trouble on the par-threes today," Wie said. "That's what really killed me - five over on the par-threes. My tee shots were a little erratic - to the left a little bit. And I'll work on a few more bunker shots.

"It was just one of those days where your balls go left. I didn't really have my rhythm today in my short game. Hopefully it will come back to me tomorrow."

Wie has become only the second woman to ever play against the men in a European Tour event, following Laura Davies in 2004, but she is unlikely to make the halfway cut, a feat she has achieved just once in the nine men's events she has competed in.

The obvious skill disparity between her and the men will again be pointed to by those who question her right to be playing in men's events.

Wie is still too young to compete as a full-time professional on the women's or men's tour and is reliant on sponsor invitations to play.

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