Wie will be back - and make the cut

One of the most captivating weeks in golf history sadly came to a close on Sunday with Tiger Woods' win at the British Open.

I say sadly because there were so many interesting stories surrounding golf last week, and it was a shame that it all had to end.

So many great subplots surrounded golf's third major at the most sacred of sport venues: the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

But the week's best story had nothing to do with Tiger Woods' impressive 10th major championship or favorite son Colie Montgomerie's second-place finish in front of the eyes of his countrymen. Or nothing to do with six-time Masters winner Jack Nicklaus' last round of competitive golf.

The best story came out of Lebanon, Ohio.

Michelle Wie, the most famous 15-year-old athlete in the United States, made it to the quarterfinals of the United States Public Links Championships. A victory would have all but guaranteed - Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson has final say on special invitees - her a spot in next year's Masters.

The Public Links capped off a fascinating month for Wie.

In case you're Rip Van Winkle, Wie led the U.S. Women's Open after three rounds as an amateur before folding during the final round.

The Honolulu native followed that performance up by nearly making the cut at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, a feat not accomplished by a female since Babe Didrikson Zaharias - arguably the greatest female athlete ever - made the cut in the 1945 Tucson Open.

Wie collapsed over the final three holes to miss the cut.

Her shortcomings against the men are, and should, be overlooked not because she is a girl, but because she is 15.

I get so worked up when the talking heads debate whether Wie will ever make a cut on the PGA Tour. The experts are usually split on whether Wie will play on a Sunday during a men's event.

How is this a debate?

If there was a 15-year-old boy with Wie's ability, then he would be hailed as the next Woods. She has a lot of maturing yet to do. Remember how good Annika Sorenstam has been over the past five years, and she is 35. Wie will, in time, develop the mental game she needs to compete at the highest level.

Wie has barely missed two of the three cuts in PGA men's events.

I think the better question is can Wie make a men's cut in the next year?

I say the answer is yes.

It has been said that Wie wants to go through qualifying school and compete on the men's tour.

I say she will.

I think she will win a tour event, and while she just came up short in her bid to play in Augusta, stay tuned.

It was only a detour.