Morgan Pressel mum on Michelle Wie prior to LPGA's Canadian Open

[sag]

http://www.topix.net/content/cp/2007...-canadian-open

Morgan Pressel mum on Michelle Wie prior to LPGA's Canadian Open

DEAN BENNETT

The Canadian Press

June 14, 2007

(CP) - Teenage golf wunderkind Morgan Pressel suggested Thursday she'll let her clubs to the talking in August in a rare head-to-head matchup against fellow young ratpacker Michelle Wie at the CN Canadian Women's Open.

"I've said enough," the 19-year-old from Boca Raton, Fla., when asked about Wie during a news conference at the host site, the Royal Mayfair Golf Club. "Obviously there's going to be comparisons, and rivalries are never a bad thing in sports.

"I mean, look at Tiger (Woods) and Phil (Mickelson). They've got tons of attention and tons of attention to the PGA tour and I'm sure that Michelle and myself, Paula (Creamer) and plenty of other players will hopefully bring more attention to the LPGA."

Pressel, Wie and 20-year old Creamer, expected to be among the new wave of young marquee names to dominate women's professional golf in the coming years, will be front and centre at the August 13-19 tournament.

Pressel, who became the youngest player to win an LPGA major when she staged a comeback win in the Kraft Nabisco Championship April 1, has been compared to the 17-year-old Hawaiian phenom Wie.

But she has previously delivered some sharp remarks toward Wie, who is too young to compete full-time in the LPGA but travels the world competing in men's and women's tournaments.

Pressel has suggested that by not playing junior golf and trying to make the cut on elite circuits like the PGA, the Wie may have missed out on developing the crucial jugular instinct needed finish off a tournament or close off a hard-charging rival.

"Morgan spoke her mind and I that's what I like about her," said LPGA veteran Meg Mallon. "She's not out of line by saying, 'I've played junior level and done all the things right.' She wanted to play Michelle but she didn't get an opportunity to do it because they were going in two different directions.

"As a competitor I like to hear that. She wants to play her. It's good stuff. It's healthy. It generates a lot of interest. And they're all good kids."

Almost all of the biggest names in women's golf will be in the Alberta capital to compete for the US$2.25-million purse, including top-ranked Lorena Ochoa of Mexico.

The four-year pro also leads the LPGA money list with $1.3 million. In 2007, she already has one victory and 10 top-10 finishes in 12 events. Overall she has won 11 LPGA events, amassing more than $7 million.

Money leaders Suzann Pettersen, Creamer, Nicole Castrale, Brittany Lincicome will also compete in this the 35th season the Canadian championship has been on the LPGA tour.

The field also includes defending Canadian open champ Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb, who is ranked No. 2 in the world, Natalie Gulbis and Canadian Lorie Kane of Charlottetown.

Annika Sorenstam, currently ranked third, has not committed to play, but tournament director Sean Van Kesteren has said he's working on that.

Sorenstam has won 69 tournaments and finished first on the LPGA's money list eight times. Ochoa took over her top ranking last year. Sorenstam is rebounding from back problems. But she must play every event at least once every four years under LPGA rules and has not played the Canadian Open the last three years.

Mallon said the young guns are injecting life into the tour.

"They've created a big buzz and a big excitement that we haven't seen for quite some time," said Mallon.

Kane noted it has to be more than just the newbies.

"I think there's different levels of marquee players. You market your youth but you don't forget your veterans," said Kane. "Morgan has done a great job in winning a major at such a young age. Paula is a true competitor and handles all the pressures but then you have Meg Mallon or Dawn Coe-Jones, Beth Daniel and Juli Inkster."

"We all have a responsibility to sell our product whether we're 19 or ..."

She stops and laughs and looks at herself.

"Or older."

She finished with a three-under 69, did not make a bogey on the last 24 holes, then watched as the Norwegian Pettersen melted down by blowing a four-shot lead with four holes to play.

After the tournament Pressel remembered her mother and said she knows she is always with her. Her mother, Kathy, died of breast cancer in 2003 at age 43.

At age 12 in 2001, Pressel became the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open a record broken just recently by 12-year-old Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla. Thompson is seven months younger than Pressel was.

Pressel is known for emotional approach, sometimes shouting at her golf balls after walloping them off the tee or out of a bunker. Pressel is the first among the three to be a major champion.

She almost became the youngest champion ever at Cherry Hills two years ago. She was tied for the lead on the final hole but lost when Birdie Kim hit a shot from the bunker for a birdie and the victory.

[MarinePaul]

Great article, Sag. It looks like Morgan's maturing, which will only make her better. She's definitely high on my list.

[Boola Boss]

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

Great article, Sag. It looks like Morgan's maturing, which will only make her better. She's definitely high on my list.

Yeah, just like you're high on my list, MP........LOL........but I'm not saying what list it is................

[ajraymond]

I'm surprised they keep asking Morgan about Michelle Wie. Michelle Wie is pretty much a non-factor on the LPGA at this time.

[MarinePaul]

Originally Posted by Boola Boss

Yeah, just like you're high on my list, MP........LOL........but I'm not saying what list it is................

Imagine that, another cheap shot from Boola. Not a word about Morgan, just a snipe. Typical.

[PW]

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

Great article, Sag. It looks like Morgan's maturing, which will only make her better. She's definitely high on my list.

I agree Morgan is maturing, good for her!

Odd you would like it, isn't she becoming too PC for you??

[MarinePaul]

Originally Posted by PW

I agree Morgan is maturing, good for her!

Odd you would like it, isn't she becoming too PC for you??

She says she'll let her clubs do the talking. She's willing to confront her head to head. As a Marine, I like that. Given the choice, I'd much rather have her in a foxhole with me.

To be completely honest, I don't know why the media is so hot to ask her, or Paula, Brittany, Julieta or several other young players about MW. They've all proven themselves capable of winning on the LPGA Tour. The real questions should be about each other.

[PW]

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

She says she'll let her clubs do the talking. She's willing to confront her head to head. As a Marine, I like that. Given the choice, I'd much rather have her in a foxhole with me.

To be completely honest, I don't know why the media is so hot to ask her, or Paula, Brittany, Julieta or several other young players about MW. They've all proven themselves capable of winning on the LPGA Tour. The real questions should be about each other.

In a foxhole, I'd rather have someone who keeps there emotions a little more in check, but that's just me. Looks like Morgan is getting better at that so good for her.

The media likes controversy of course. I find it just as annoying as you do, but that's the nature of the profession.

[MarinePaul]

Originally Posted by PW

In a foxhole, I'd rather have someone who keeps there emotions a little more in check, but that's just me. Looks like Morgan is getting better at that so good for her.

The media likes controversy of course. I find it just as annoying as you do, but that's the nature of the profession.

What I enjoy about Morgan is that she's a fighter. Having been in a few foxholes in the past, I'd take Morgan any time. She's getting better at controlling her emotions, and she never gives up. Her maturity shows by not being baited by the media.

[Boola Boss]

Neither Meg Mallon or Morgan mentioned that they have played each other NINE times.............in LPGA events.........in 2003........2005........and 2006....
......and that Michelle had finished way higher than Morgan in 8 of those 9 events.........the only time Morgan beat her was at the 2006 US Open when Morgan finished T-3 and Michelle T-28.........the last time they faced each other was in 2006 at the Women's British Open.........when Michelle finished T-26 and Morgan T-56..........the closest finish of the nine was in the Fields Open last year when Michelle finished T-3 and Morgan T-11.........they were in the same pairing..........tied for 9th place starting the final round.........they were playing twosomes.......so that was the nearest thing to match play..........of all the times they competed against each other in LPGA events.........