Not All Criticism of Michelle Wie Is Cruel

I have recently read Lorne Rubenstein's fair-minded article concerning criticism leveled at Michelle Wie, "Constant Criticism of Wie Borders on Cruelty," (http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080801.rube02/GSStory/GlobeSportsGolf/home) and, in many ways, I agree with him. Where I disagree with Rubenstein is in his implication that since much of the criticism of Wie derives from jealousy, all (or most) criticism is "cruel."
 
I don't think that you'll find very many golfers who would not agree that Ms. Wie possesses many fine golf skills, but that is not the point.
 
Dr. Rich Gordin, a sports psychologist who has worked with, among others, Mike Weir, says, "The biggest mountain to climb is to learn how to win."

When Wie made the decision to turn pro at such a young age, she eliminated perhaps the best route to learn how to win: in the amateur ranks; an arena where Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Juli Inkster, Pat Hurst, Morgan Pressel and many other successful, professional golfers learned how to win.
 
In 2003, the year in which Wie won her only public links tournament (impressive, yes, but not against the most challenging field) she lost to Morgan Pressel in the U.S Girls' Junior Amateur Championship, 3 and 2. 

In 2005, the year Wie became a pro, Morgan Pressel won the U.S. Women's Amateur Golf Championship. We all know that Pressel went on to become the youngest woman to win an LPGA Major in 2007.
 
Rubenstein quoted John Foley as saying, "Mediocre people are jealous of the money she's (Wie) making and the life she has." 

If it's all about money, Wie's got a lot of it, and THAT much money is a powerful thing,  powerful enough to breed envy.  Wie, in decision after decision, has transformed (deformed?) her talent into a vehicle for merely making more money.  
 
But if it's about the game of golf, then it's not only about the money; it is about winning.
 
While the golf world watched during the frenetic days before a 15-year-old Michelle Wie turned pro, David Toms said, "Did I hear she might make $10 million a year?  I'd like to get half that much. And I've won a tournament.''
 
Using winning at golf as a guide (and not merely making the cut), here is criticism of Michelle Wie that is not cruel: she does not deserve the money she's making or the life she has.  Rarely has anyone gotten so much (money) for so little (performance).
 
Michelle Wie has not learned how to win; she hasn't won anything for nearly six years. 

Will she win on the PGA tour?  Not a chance.  

Will she win on the LPGA tour? Maybe. 

If and when she does win on the LPGA tour, then she'll have earned John Foley's sentiment. 
 
Byron Nelson said, "Winners are different. They're a different breed of cat."  There was a time when Michelle Wie seemed to be a member of Nelson's "breed;" now it is NOT cruel to have serious doubts.