Phenom may need to just say no

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist

Watching Wie bury 50-foot putts last week in the Sony Open in Hawai'i has roused tournament directors from the Potomac to the Pacific from their New Year's slumber.

A 59-percent spike in the Nielsen ratings, like the one Wie's run at making the cut gave ESPN and the Sony Friday, and the accompanying galleries will do that.

If they don't have Tiger Woods on display — and only about 18 of the 48 official PGA Tour events will — or a solid Top 10 field, Wie's presence can take a second- or third-tier tournament to the front pages in a hurry and make sponsors happy.

So, it isn't any wonder that the Booz, formerly FBR Capital Open and Kemper Insurance Open, has been quick to say its representatives would like to meet with Team Wie when they're in town soon. Or, that there might soon be other suitors lined up around the block to follow them.

The offers of exemptions will come, the question is how much sense would it make for Wie to accept any more PGA Tour appearances this year?

She's already booked for three LPGA events and is expected to play the six-tournament maximum. Add in a USGA event, maybe selection to the Curtis Cup team, and some local events like the Pearl Open and Jenny K. and her calendar is filling up.

Wie has struck gold this year with her eye-opening showing at Sony and about the worst thing she could do now is overextend herself playing PGA events in a way that takes the luster off that accomplishment.

For the Sony Open, Wie said she played Waialae Country Club five times a week since November. That's more than 30 rounds, each hole of which was charted and analyzed by her father BJ in preparation for the event. And, it showed in the manner and confidence with which she played.

That's something she wouldn't have going for her at the Bell Canadian, Reno-Tahoe Open or any number of other places that could issue invitations in the coming days. And, who knows when she'll be paired again with such supportive partners as "Uncle" Kevin Hayashi and Craig Bowden.

There are some on the Tour, who, while able to accept her presence in her own backyard here at Sony, would be less than thrilled to see her go into other areas and take away exemptions from fellow pros.

Indeed, the best thing Wie can do for a while is win on more reachable levels, climb the leaderboards on the LPGA Tour and reserve her annual PGA appearance for the Sony Open. At age 14, there is plenty of time ahead to wade deeper into the PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, headline writers are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to put into print whether "Wie Says 'Yes' to Booz" or "14-year-old Turns Thumbs Down on Booz Cruise."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.