"%$#@ the naysayers"

Lawrence Donegan talks to several players and officials about the delicate subject of Michelle Wie's rookie season and media coverage.

"Michelle Wie has the potential to help drive the sport in ways that many top-class athletes have done in the past. She also has the luxury of being surrounded by a rookie class that will help her market and promote women's golf," said David Higdon, the LPGA's director of communications, tempering this recognition of Wie's broad appeal with a gentle reminder that she has done nothing yet to earn special treatment. "She is on tour this year as a rookie and that will be ideal for her to grow and mature in a way that is much more reasonable, given where her golf game is."

While tour officials perform this delicate balancing act, others around the game are not inclined to the diplomatic route, most notably Christina Kim, who was one of the few players on the circuit to befriend the newcomer and make her feel welcome, spending time chatting to her on the practice putting green on Tuesday. "Fuck the naysayers," Kim said when asked for her views on those who have criticised Wie. "Michelle is a very close friend of mine and I've wanted her to come out on tour for a very long time. She chose not to do that and I respected that. She did what was best for herself. She is a great player and I know she will do very well."