In a vivid demonstration that it¡¯s different strokes for different folks, Korean-American golf prodigy Michelle Wie (16), who hits a drive over 300 yards on the golf course with ease, displayed some trouble in hitting a baseball a tenth of the distance on Sunday. Taking the ceremonial first pitch for a baseball game between Doosan Bears and SK Wyverns at Munhak Stadium in Incheon, she maintained her smile and clenched her fist but later admitted that batting is ¡°interesting but difficult.¡± Wie was only meant to throw a ball into the game but gamely agreed when the organizers asked her to do some batting too.
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Korean American golfer Michelle Wie reacts, bats and pitches before a game of the Korean professional baseball league in Incheon on Sunday. Wie received a warm reception on arrival in her parents¡¯ home country Saturday to take part in the SK Telecom Open.
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Stepping up to bat to a call of, ¡°Designated hitter Wie Sung-mi¡± (her Korean name), she missed a good number of balls. Fans shouted out helpful advice like, ¡°Hit a homer! Wie,¡± and ¡°Don¡¯t be shy.¡± And after dropping a few more, she sent a ball right above SK Wyverns coach Choi Tae-won, who was pitching. Choi was diplomatic. ¡°She has a good posture,¡± he said. ¡°Other people wouldn¡¯t have able to hit any ball at all.¡±
As a bonus, Wie pulled off a wonderful golf swing with her bat, to thunderous applause from fans.
The prodigy arrived in Korea on Saturday for her first outing as a pro golfer in the Asian Tour's SK Telecom Open starting Thursday, her eighth attempt to make the cut in a men's tournament. On Monday, she will give a joint press conference with defending champion Choi Kyoung-ju (K.J. Choi) at the Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon, followed by course check and preparation on Tuesday and a Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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