Michelle to enter LPGA Q-School
I’m happy to find out that Michelle is going to enter the LPGA Q-School. Some details can be found in the CBS Sportsline article No more messing around: Wie’s heading to Q-School.
After two largely checkered seasons wracked by injury and mostly disappointing play, some of the exemption opportunities for Wie had begun to dry up. As a non-member of the tour, she was limited to six LPGA tournaments a year on sponsor exemptions.
The first-stage qualifier will be held [Sept. 16-19] at the same facility where the first women's major of the year is staged, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, an event Wie nearly won in 2006.
If she advances, the finals are Dec. 3-7 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
A second first-stage qualifier is set for Venice, Fla., on Sept. 30-Oct. 3. Players who pay a $5,000 Q-school application fee can enter both first-stage qualifiers if they don't advance out of the Palm Springs event.
It was unclear whether Wie, believed to be the highest-paid athlete in women's sports, paid the extra $1,000 that would allow her to take two cracks at the first stage if she fails to advance in California next week. Otherwise, the entry fee is $4,000.
Good luck, Michelle! I still believe in you!