Leadbetter backs Wie

Michelle Wie’s decision to contest the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in July has been defended by her instructor.

“She can compete at the highest level right now,” said David Leadbetter, who once worked with Nick Faldo. “You have to wonder if playing junior events is going to get her motivated.”

His comments are a stark contrast from those offered last week by Mark Hensby, who slammed Wie for accepting an invitation to the John Deere Classic.

More specifically, Hensby criticised 15-year-old Wie’s parents for giving their daughter what he perceived to be bad guidance.

“I don’t think a 15-year-old girl who’s done nothing at all should get a sponsor’s invitation to a PGA Tour event,” said Hensby, who will defend his title at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvas, Illinois, from July 7-10.

“But I don’t blame the John Deere Classic or Michelle. I blame her parents, and the people running her affairs.

“Michelle should be playing against girls her own age. She’s obviously a very good player but she's only ever won one junior tournament. If she qualified I wouldn’t have a problem, but to take a sponsor’s invitation, I don’t think that’s right.”

Hensby insisted he wasn’t criticising Wie because of her gender, saying he would welcome Annika Sorenstam into any tour event.

“Annika’s the best female player ever in my mind and I believe she’s good enough to play out here.”

Hensby played in last year’s Sony Open in Hawaii, where Wie came within a shot of making the cut, but he was not overly impressed.

“Big deal,” he continued. “There’s a difference between making the cut and winning.”

Wie also played this year’s Sony Open, but the John Deere will be her first PGA Tour start on the mainland.

The tournament, the week before the British Open, invariably struggles to attract much of a field, and the sponsor no doubt decided Wie’s participation would be an easy way to drum up attention.

Hensby may think Wie is being ill-advised, but Leadbetter has a different take.

“Tiger came up through the junior ranks, the amateur ranks, the pro ranks and won at every level,” he said.

“Michelle’s going about it a different way. I’d go as far as to say she’s almost the best talent I’ve seen, boy or girl, at that age, remembering that girls mature at a younger age than boys.

“I think there’s every possibility she might win a tournament this summer.”

Leadbetter, it should be pointed out, was not referring to the PGA Tour with that last comment.