When she finishes school....

[lumazi]

Hello all,
Michelle will probably graduate school this year. I was wondering how it will impact her game. Not to try to guess how many wins, but I would like to hear your thoughts.

Here is my opinion.

1. She has managed to play a pretty full schedule so far. I do not see her playing that many more tournaments. Maybe will instead focus on choosing the best tournaments that fit her game. Positive for her to be able to decide on more playing dates.
2. Without school, it is obvious that she will have more time on her hands. Will it mean more practice? Coaching? I am more of the idea to focus in more quality training rather than quantity. Positive if she can improve in her weakest part of the game: putting. I feel she needs a coach and not try to train herself.
3. Boolaboss mentioned that she has some school work pending while at Lorena's tournament. It should be a positive if she can focus mainly on golf during each tournament.
4. Going to school has always been important to Michelle. It is a place where she gets away from the sponsors, the media, and even her parents. Once she finishes school, it can have a negative impact if she cannot find her own "space".

Hopefully all this translates into a better game, which can lead to winning tournaments.

[bangkokbobby]

I need to think about my answer before giving a full reply, but one thing that strikes me is this...even after she graduates...from what I have seen of Michelle...she is so multi-talented, that I would hope she doesn't just take all of the focus from Stanford and put it into golf...that would ostensibly make her an even better player than she already is...

...or would it...


...she seems like somebody who will always need a strong outlet outside of golf...I'd like to see her pursue art and design more when she graduates...I know she was a communications major, but she could have easily been a graphic designer...or art major...

...also, I think she should pursue opportunities in film and media...I don't think she should wait until her golf career is over...when might that be, anyway...why wait potentially 15 years...

...I guess what I worry about is whether 100% focus on golf would suit Michelle...she strikes me as a person that needs other endeavors to keep a nice balance in her life...

[jcd]

I think it's hard to know where Michelle's career will go after she finishes school. Some of the best golf years of her life were when she was attending high school. That was, however, a more regimented routine with less tournaments and probably less pressure. Seems like when she had the more carefree attitude as most young teens are apt to have, she played better. The two years when she was hurting affected her swing as anyone with a wrist or hand or any injury will attest to. Took quite a time to correct the harm done by trying to play when hurt.

I think Michelle will not focus entirely on golf. I agree that she seems to needs other outlets. As for the putting, she may never get a regimented stroke, but sometimes being too mechanical can be worse.