Golf: Garcia Backs Wie Involvement

Michelle Wie has been many things to many people in her short, lucrative and at times controversial career in top-flight golf but the 16-year-old will take on an unfamiliar role when she tees off today in the first round of the European Masters here in Switzerland - that of a welcome diversion.

With European golf in tumult after Thomas Bjorn's outburst over the Ryder Cup captaincy of Ian Woosnam, the Hawaiian prodigy's first appearance in a men's event on this side of the Atlantic will come as a relief to European Tour officials, not least because they hope she will change the subject from disharmony in the ranks to sexual equality in the Alps.

Ten months ago, the Tour's chief executive, George O'Grady, characterised invitations to play in men's events given to women golfers like Wie as a "gimmick". No longer.

In O'Grady's ideal world, Wie, who will play alongside Nick Dougherty of England for the first two rounds, would make the weekend cut but he will settle for a good performance from the teenager and the unanimous approval of her appearance - publicly at least - from the men with whom she will share a golf course.

Given the swift and expensive punishment that followed Bjorn's tantrum, it seems unlikely that anyone will rock the boat: but you never know with some people. When news of Wie's invitation to Crans broke last year, Jean van de Velde responded by trying to enter the British Women's Open, saying he would "shave his legs and wear a kilt" if necessary.

Wie, in any case, received support from Sergio García yesterday. "Anything that helps the game of golf is good, no matter what," said García, who played a practice round with Wie on Tuesday before his defence of the title. "It might not help the guy she takes the spot from this week, but it might help him in the future. When I see Michelle or Annika Sorenstam playing on a golf course I don't see them as a female player, I see them as golfers."

Wie made a similar point. "My perspective on this is that the British Open is not called the Men's British Open, it is the British Open," she said. "The PGA is the Professional Golfers' Association, there is no Men's Professional Golfers' Association, whereas the LPGA is called the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association and the British Open is called the Women's British Open, so I think it is very clear.

"Of course there are going to be some people that aren't happy with me playing. I am not expecting 100% support every week, but that is the way the world works. There are going to be people that support me and others that don't, but I feel people here have been very supportive and welcoming. I love playing men's events and the challenge. I feel an adrenalin rush when I play these events and it is a lot of fun."

This is the second time a woman has played in a European Tour event. Laura Davies finished second last in the 2004 ANZ Championship in Australia. It will be Wie's 10th men's event. She has made the cut only once, although the Crans course is relatively short and should give her a fighting chance of making it to the weekend. "Obviously I want to make the cut, obviously a top 10, obviously I want to win, but all I can do is try my hardest and see what happens," she said. "It's going to be a challenge."

In a man's world


Wie's record so far


2003 Bay Mills Open misses cut Boise Open misses cut


2004 Sony Open misses cut


2005 Sony Open misses cut

John Deere Classic misses cut

Casio World Open misses cut


2006 Sony Open misses cut

SK Telecom Open makes cut

John Deere Classic retires