Updated at 1:37 p.m., Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wie grouped with her critic for France tournament
Advertiser Staff
Honolulu's Michelle Wie gets to play with her most vocal critic in Thursday's first round of the Evian Masters in Evian-Les-Baines, France.Wie will be grouped with Morgan Pressel in the 72-hole tournament.
The third member of the group is Gwladys Nocera.
Last week, Pressel was signed by Kapalua to be the resort's official LPGA touring professional. Pressel, 18, won this year's Kraft Nabisco Championship to become the youngest major champion in LPGA history.
Pressel, who qualified for the 2001 U.S. Open at age 12, has been an outspoken critic of Wie, often questioning why she receives so many exemptions.
Wie, whose career is in freefall after bad performances against men and injuries to both of her wrists, has not shot under par in 23 consecutive rounds.
Ironically, her last under par round came in the final 18 holes of last year's Evian Masters when she shot 68.
This past year, Wie missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii, withdrew after being 14-over through 16 holes at the Ginn Tribute, finished last by 10 shots in the LPGA Championship and withdrew in the second round of the U.S. Women's Open after being 6-over through nine holes, 17-over overall.
