Every week of the 2009 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors.
Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Greetings from Tulsa on U.S. Amateur Eve. The Americans won a close Solheim Cup. Sergio Garcia kicked away a back-nine lead against a pack of undistinguished pursuers in Greensboro, a big comedown from last year when he contended for the PGA and the Tour Championship. The FedEx Cup starts later this week, something we greet with the same excitement as NFL preseason games. The senior circuit entertained its 11th major of the year, or whatever, at the Tradition. A big week.
Ladies first. The Americans were heavily favored, mainly because the Europeans were untested. Perhaps they shouldn't have been, given how few of the Americans have won anything in the last 12 months. Either way, it was a great effort by Europe, and the LPGA got what it needed — a close, exciting Solheim Cup. Paula Creamer was a big star for the U.S., making two huge putts to win matches the first day, then scored a big early point in Sunday's singles. Michelle Wie didn't lose a match, despite not looking so great with the putter, but you have to give her credit. Juli Inkster made a nice rally in singles, perhaps the swing match that turned the tide on Sunday. Give em 'all three stars.
Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I don't think the Solheim needed saving, but this should quiet the kvetching for another couple of years. Europe played very inspired golf in forging an 8-8 tie over the first two days, and during singles they were in control of seven matches until the tide turned on the back nine. It was thrilling, competitive golf. The real story, though, is Michelle Wie. She was the best player on either team and showed the kind of passion that has always been missing in her game. This will be remembered as the week her career finally took off.
Jim Herre, editor, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus: I thought Wie looked pretty good on the greens. She made a bunch of clutch 10- and 15-footers the first two days. Plus, I liked the way Michelle came back to take out a salty Helen Alfredsson on Sunday.
Ryan Reiterman, producer, Golf.com: How awesome was Wie's drive on 18? She swung so hard she did a Gary Player follow-through. She seemed to be less technical all week and just played with a lot of feel and emotion. Great to see.
Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I also think we'll look back at this year's Solheim Cup as the turning point to Michelle Wie's career. She has been fully accepted now — by her peers, by the fans, by almost everyone. She looked awfully comfortable today. It'd be hard to imagine her not taking her 3-0-1 week and turning it into some LPGA hardware.
Herre: I agree, Damon. Wouldn't be surprised to see her get that first W before the season ends.
Dick Friedman, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: Definitely significant that Wie's parents, while on the scene, weren't allowed to hover. That may have loosened her up.
Cameron Morfit, senior writer, Golf Magazine: Totally agree that this week was just what she needed. I'm happy to see a girl like that thrive with her peers and her elders. She needs a steady diet of that, not more time with her folks.
Van Sickle: How many times have we said that about Ryder Cuppers, that after this, now they're going to be big winners? Hunter Mahan and others come to mind. Of course, Wie has a talent potential relative to her tour that they didn't. The LPGA certainly hopes this is a turning point for Wie. She could be its big cross-cultural American superstar.
Farrell Evans, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: Wie was easily the best golfer in the competition. But I'm not sure she's ready to win consistently on the LPGA Tour. She doesn't putt well enough and there are plenty of women with her length. She's not going to win a putting contest.
Friedman: Remember, too, that Michelle was a captain's pick. A no-brainer, maybe, but Beth Daniel could have gone another way.
Shipnuck: I don't want to scoop my forthcoming SI story, but Wie began working with Dave Stockton last week and the results were immediate. She had the best putting week of her life under tremendous pressure, and I expect she'll only build on it.
Hack: Alan, you might want to pass that Stockton phone number on to Sergio.
Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus: Like Jim H. said earlier, I thought she putted very well until the pressure rose on the back nine on Sunday. Then she started missing right again. By the way, dont want to scoop your scooping of your scoop, but they were talking about the Stockton stuff on TV.
Shipnuck: Yeah, but I got the great man on the phone and he spilled some great stuff for me. Read all about it Tuesday on Golf.com.
Van Sickle: Sergio and Monty had a history of putting great in the Ryder Cup and then not so much in stroke play when they don't have teammates backing them up. Credit Wie for addressing a weakness and going to the source for putting knowledge — the great Dave Stockton.
Hack: I wonder if Michelle's folks will see what we're seeing and let her go (and grow). This is the first time she has won anything — anything — since 2003. She's got to feel on top of the world right now.
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MLS Fantasy Tips: Week 19Wheeee! Solheim Cup a breakthrough for Wie
