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I had been thinking the same thing, but I was also thinking that Se Ri was on the very top of her game at that time.
Then this was posted:

That changes things quite a bit. That means the tournament will indeed have a much stronger field than the one Pak played in. So a cut is by no means a sure thing.
I still think she will do it though.

Firstly she is American, not Korean. Her parents are Korean.

There is plenty of time for her to become familiar with the final 9 holes on a Sunday. She is only just turned 16. She shouldn't start worrying about winning just yet. Not for another couple of years at least.

Okay...technically she is a Korean-American. I only mentioned it because she is going to visit the county that is a part of her history, and I think that's cool. I don't know, I think it's a stupid correction on your part unless you're her agent and know that she wants to be viewed as an American only.

Secondly, if she shouldn't worry about winning yet, why does she play? Why would any of the professionals play if they're not out to win? So she doesn't need to win a tournament right now - I can understand that, but she does need the confidence that comes from suceeding under pressure, be it on the back 9 on Sunday or the first hole on Thursday. I thought that the back nine on Sunday would be one of the best ways to experience that. Wouldn't you or anyone else here agree?

As regards the American thing. If she were born in my country and then people started calling her Korean, I would get annoyed, so I'm just having empathy with the Americans. The flag beside her name is that of the US, but yes I agree it is significant that she goes to Korea to play.

As regards winning, she plays to win things eventually, but in her interviews she has stated that her goal for the moment is to learn and keep improving her game. I think she has the right attitude there.

Sorry, but I get annoyed when people place too much emphasis on winning.
For example Henrik Stenson is 29 years of age. When he was 23 he got on the European Tour. It took him 4 years to win. Then it took him another 2 years, until he won, last weekend.

Suddenly everyone seemed to be saying how great he is, and how he can win, and how great he would be at the Ryder Cup and so on. What they neglect to mention is just how long it took him to get there. It took him many years of playing week in, week out on tour.

So I think winning would be very welcome, but I certainly wouldn't be in the slightest worried if she were not to win this season, given her limited schedule. As long as she keeps improving thats the most important thing.

I agree. I don't care if she wins this year either - I guess I'm just looking foward to seeing her get better to the point where she and Annika are neck to neck. It'd be good for golf and the LPGA especially.

It certainly would. Unfortunately for us, when she catches Annika, Annika will probably be declining, and others will most likely say that if Annika were in her prime, she would be too good.

You certainly cover your bases when it comes to defending Michelle, dontcha?

Saying that she will catch Annika is hardly covering bases. It's a prediction that she will become the number 1 woman. Is that not a bold prediction of someone who has yet to win a professional tournament?

I was just saying that, some people will try to make little of even that.
I think the people who say, "When is she going to win", and "When will she make a pga cut", will be saying "when is she going to finish high on the pga", or when is she going to win more tournaments than Annika in a year". Just the bar keeps getting raised.

Just wait, and watch. and maybe you might be the leader of the dissenting voices. Anyway that's for another day well down the line.

No, but this certainly is:

You're defending her from what people *might* say about what she *might* do...

For the bar to be raised, she's got to reach it first

Is this her next tourney or does she play an LPGA tourney before this?

She is due to play twice in February on the lpga in Hawaiian events.
I think the Nabisco is in March. So she should play plenty before that event.

There seems to be a question whether or not she will play two tournaments in Hawaii. Apparently from what I've read on other boards, particularly the mylpga.com board, the SBS Turtle Bay is still not confirmed. There have been conflicting reports regarding those tournaments.

There are some other LPGA tournaments that come before that May date. She will definitely be playing at the Kraft and there is rumor about the Safeway.