Michelle Wie Plans Second Korea Visit

Teen golfer Michelle Wie will visit Korea for the KPGA Tour’s SK Telecom Open that will be held at the Incheon Sky72 Golf Course on May 4.

Responding to e-mail and phone interviews, Wie said she was exited to visit Korea once again and couldn`t wait to see what has changed since her last Seoul visit three years ago. This will be her second visit to Korea after the CJ Nine Bridges Classic held in October, 2003 in Jeju. Wie said she was keeping a list of Korean foods she would have in Seoul. She also said she is looking forward to going bargain shopping for fashion accessories in Dongdaemun bazaar.

Since this is to be her first match in Korea since turning pro, Wie has been putting in four hours into her after-school practices at a golf course located in Honolulu. Sky72, where the competition will be held, is 7,111 yards (par 72) long. Michelle has chosen a practice course that matches the length of the Incheon course.

Wie expects to learn a thing or two from Korean pros. She recounted last year’s Casio World Open, where she received advice from Kim Jong-deok and Yang Yong-eun during a practice round. “I’ve heard the course is quite windy. That could be a problem, but nothing I am not prepared for,” said Wie.

Wie is satisfied with her development so far. Wie’s play is said to have matured after she turned pro, thanks to proper management, nutrition, a personal trainer, and psychiatric therapy.

Being a busy teen who frequently does her homework in moving cars, her favorite pastime includes watching Korean TV shows. The Korean TV series “Gung” was her recent favorite, and she likes the Korean pop group Dongbangshingi. Wie plans to submit her college application to Stanford University this fall.

Michelle Wie will participate in various events and make TV appearances during her visit. Wie and SK Telecom will each donate 150 million won to hospitals that provide surgical treatments to needy children. All in all, Michelle Wie’s upcoming visit is likely to be a major attraction for the Korean public.

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com