Michelle Wie Wows Her Fans in Korea

“Being the KPGA president, I could probably give you a mulligan or two,” said Park Sam-gu, the chairman of Kumho Asiana Group, to the teen golfer Michelle Wie. Park broke the ice with an offer of mulligan after Wie’s tee shot drive leaned off to the right due to gusty wind. Watching Wie stepping into the tee box for the first hole (Hole 10) of Incheon Sky72 Golf Club where SK Telecom Open is being held, Park commented on Wie’s physique: “When I played with Tiger Woods last year, I’ve gotten an impression of a thoroughbred race horse off of him. Michelle Wie as well, is endowed with a physique that is perfect for playing golf.” The 60-year-old single handicapper who scored one under par twice last year at Asiana Country Club, showed off a powerful drive that in several instances sent the ball farther than Wie did at yesterday’s rounding.

The star factor-

Michelle Wie has been the center of the attention since arriving in Korea. When asked about this, she laughed and said it might be her height that makes her stand out and strikes people as odd. Wie came off as someone with genuine and sincere demeanor throughout her visit. Although she was born and raised in Hawaii, Wie is not intimidated by speaking in Korean despite frequent mistakes and improper use of honorifics. Wie insisted that she be called by her Korean name Seong-mi instead of Michelle.

Her appetite sure was fashioned in ways of the old country, as she was seen enjoying ddeokboki (spicy rice cakes), sundae (Korean-style sausage), and other local variety foods. Her being down-to-earth has certainly charmed Korean fans. Marketing strategy or not, the local-friendly image adds to Wie’s star factor. Attending the Casio World Open in Japan last year, Wie greeted the Japanese media with Japanese phrases she learned at school, and confessed her love for sushi and udon. Wie is reportedly studying Chinese nowadays.

200 press cards requested; gallery to exceed 20,000-

The “Michelle Effect” has sold more than 2,000 tickets already. The number of applications for press cards, which normally do not exceed 20, is now at around two hundred. The gallery could easily reach 20,000, twice the number of last year’s event. The international stardom of Michelle Wie is taking the nation by storm.

Sang-Soo Kim Jong-Seok Kim ssoo@donga.com kjs0123@donga.com