A Wie Problem

Michelle Wie's decision to play in the Michelob Ultra Open, at
which she finished 12th, was simple because after only two years
the tournament has become one of the most prestigious on the LPGA
tour. Michelle faced a tougher choice in deciding if she should
accept a sponsor's exemption for the PGA Tour's Booz Allen
Classic, on June 24-27 at the TPC at Avenel in Potomac, Md., or
defend her Women's Public Links title on the Green course at the
Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va., that week. Here
are some things she may have considered while evaluating the Booz
Allen.

PROS

--Closest I can get to Booz until my 21st birthday.

--Might be interviewed by Ian Baker-Finch. He reminds me of
the dad on Full House.

--Can make SportsCenter again by driving Avenel's 301-yard
14th hole.

--Chance to experience history. The course opened in
1986--three years before I was born--when they still used clubs
made of wood.

--Winner gets a crystal thingy.

--Beating amateurs is sooooo boring.

--Only 15 miles from the Capitol. Maybe I can lobby Congress
for free downloads.

--Doesn't John Feinstein have a house on the course?

CONS

--The course: a 7,005-yard par 71 versus a 6,159-yard par 72.

--The PGA Tour's no-skirt rule.

--Mr. Norman once said they should "blow up the 9th hole" at
Avenel.

--Mr. Duval has the course record of 62, which is, like,
really hard to beat.

--Wouldn't get to keep the $864,000.

--Even if I win, I still don't get to play in the Masters.

--Tiger beat up on all his peers at the big amateur events
and has been in their heads ever since.

--Doesn't John Feinstein have a house on the course?

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID WALBERG (WIE)

COLOR PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES EUROPE (BAKER-FINCH)

COLOR PHOTO: TODD GIPSTEAIN/CORBIS (MODEL)

COLOR PHOTO: WESTLIGHT STOCK/CORBIS (MONEY)

COLOR PHOTO: ANDREW REDINGTON/GETTY IMAGES (DUVAL)

COLOR PHOTO