Campbell: Wie still has a lot to prove

US Open champion Michael Campbell feels Michelle Wie should prove herself on the women’s tour before taking on the men again.

Wie this week accepted an invitation to play in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland in September, where she will become only the second woman – after Laura Davies – to play on the European Tour.

Two weeks ago the 16-year-old from Hawaii went to Korea and made her first cut in a men’s event. She has played five times on the US Tour already and was only a shot away from playing all four rounds of the Sony Open two years ago.

Her appearance will undoubtedly create massive interest in the tournament, which would otherwise be somewhat overshadowed in the build-up to the Ryder Cup a fortnight later.

Speaking ahead of this week’s Irish Open at Carton House, Campbell said: “I can go two different ways on this question.

“I can be politically correct and say it’s wonderful to see Michelle Wie at a European Tour event. Or I could say that she’s got to prove she can win on the women’s tour before she can even have a chance on the men’s tour.

“Look at Annika Sorenstam, obviously one of the best tournament golfers we’ve ever seen and she deserved to play on the men’s tour in the US – unfortunately she didn’t make the cut.

“Michelle Wie is a wonderful talent, I’ve heard she hits it as long as the guys. But she needs to prove, to herself more so than anybody else, that she can win on the ladies’ tour before she can actually come out and make a cut on the European or US Tour.

“She’s come close a few times, and made a cut in Korea, but obviously the quality of field isn’t as strong.

“It’s great for the tour but I think it takes away a sponsor’s invite for a guy who is struggling to actually regain his card.

“It’s up to the sponsors and they believe having her at the tournament is going to help them commercially so good luck to them.”

Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam added: “The sponsors are entitled to invite whoever they like. She’s a fantastic little player – well, not little, she hits it by me a long way.

“It will bring interest and I think she could do well at Crans. It adds a little bit of excitement to the tournament.

“Unfortunately there’s always going to be criticism. It’s going to take a spot away from a younger player.”