Posted on: Friday, July 2, 2004
Wie's 2 biggest fans are right at her side
| • | Wie trails by five after a 71 |
| • | $600,000 Champions Skins Game at Wailea |
Advertiser News Services
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. — With her father, BJ, back on her bag, 14-year-old Michelle Wie had her mother close by as well. Bo Wie was granted a special USGA pass to walk inside the ropes with her daughter's threesome yesterday, rooting the young star on after every solid drive and clutch putt.
Associated Press "It was something I never experienced before," said Michelle Wie, who finished with a par-71. "She was yelling pretty loud."
USGA officials said players are allowed one special pass for the event and the guest must follow the same rules as media by staying within an arm's length of the ropes.
"Technically, it's for spouses and significant others, but we have a lot of very young players in the field. (They) tend to want somebody with them inside the ropes," USGA spokesman Marty Parkes said. "Players with 10, 15 or 20 U.S. Opens are pretty much unfazed by everything."
BJ and Michelle endured a bizarre confrontation last year at the Women's Open while playing with Danielle Ammaccapane, who accused them of poor etiquette and berated Michelle in the scoring tent.
By the final round, BJ turned the bag-toting duties over to swing coach Gary Gilchrist.
Yesterday, Michelle said she was happy to have BJ back.
"He knows my game a lot, he knows my temper," she said. "He knows everything about me, he's my dad. I feel a lot more comfortable with him out there and it's been really great."
Associated Press and uswomensopen.com contributed to this report.
Bo Wie usually follows along in the gallery, so it was a first for mother and daughter.
Amateur Michelle Wie watches her drive off the 12th tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open in South Hadley, Mass.
