KRAFT NOTEBOOK
Nike representative sets sights on Wie
| • | They're crazy over Wie as she finishes fourth |
| • | Golfers weigh in on Wie's future |
| • | Scoreboard |
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — A Nike representative who is one of Tiger Woods' assistants followed Michelle Wie for the final two days of the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Wie's coach, Gary Gilchrist, grinned at the sight of Wie's shadow.
"(Nike founder) Phil Knight and adidas are the only ones who have enough money," Gilchrist said. "The rest are not going to be able to afford her."
Gilchrist, who works for the David Leadbetter Academy, believes Wie's value would be dramatically enhanced if she wins a tour event as an amateur, or a major before she graduates from Punahou School.
"What she's worth depends on the company," Gilchrist said.
Woods' Nike contract was worth an estimated $45 million when he turned pro. Is Wie in his 'hood?
"It might not be that big," Gilchrist said, "but it's in the ballpark."
• What's on tap: Michelle Wie's next tournament is the LPGA's Michelob ULTRA Open, in Williamsburg, Va., May 6-9.
A little later she will meet up with the U.S. Curtis Cup team to practice before heading to Formby Golf Club in England for the matches against a European team. Wie, who will miss four weeks of school this semester, will take her finals before going to England.
In June, she returns to Williamsburg to defend her U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links title, at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.
The rest of her summer includes trying to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open, which will be in Massachusetts July 1-4, and two more LPGA appearances — at the Evian Masters in France (July 21-24) and Wendy's Championship for Children (Aug. 19-22). The U.S. Women's Amateur is also in August.
SHORT PUTTS
Annika Sorenstam led the field with a driving average of 290.2. Michelle Wie was next at 289.0. ... Wie's outfit was all black and white yesterday, with the exception of a wide pink belt. "I was going to go with a black belt, but it was too boring, you know?" Wie said. "Plus it was going to be really hot." ... Temperatures, which have been unseasonably warm here the past few weeks, reached the 90s yesterday.
END QUOTE
• Michelle Wie, when asked if it wouldn't be better for her to dominate at a lower level of competition instead of playing on tour:
"When I was 12, I had the chance to rise to another level to play on the LPGA. And I just couldn't let that go. And once you get up there it's kind of hard to come back down."
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.
