More than a Golf Star Wie bit better

During Michelle’s great run at the Solheim Cup last week at Sugar Grove, Ill., U.S. captain Beth Daniel kept B.J. and his wife, Bo, from the team’s inner circle. Insiders considered that a very good thing for Michelle.

Michelle Wie nice

Are the Korean-born parents – who now divide time between homes in Orlando and Palm Desert, Calif. – now backing off and limiting their involvement in Michelle’s life and career?

Michelle Wie smile

“She’s 19,” Wie said with a nod. “It’s time for that.”

Michelle Wie sexy

Past time, some would argue. The Wie parents have been reputed to have had a Svengali-like presence, orchestrating their daughter’s every move, at times arguing with LPGA tour and tournament officials, going so far as to rent a nearby apartment when Michelle went off to college at Stanford two years ago.

Michelle Wie hot

But Michelle, who turns 20 in October, seems to be coming of age as a person and finally reaching her enormous potential as a player. And maybe it’s not a coincidence that she is being allowed to spread her wings at last.

Michelle Wie photo

Michelle was poised and loose and swinging free Sunday as she made a run at her first LPGA championship. Had she sunk makeable birdie putts at Nos. 15 and 16, she’d have turned a three-way playoff for the title into four.

“Wie had some really great shots today,” . Wie missed a couple of birdie opportunities on the back side – just read them wrong. she felt a lot more putts could have gone it, but she happy with the way I played. she so close, it’s just frustrating.”