The hard-driving Woods didn't like excuses, but then he never had to listen to any, or at least not very many, because he groomed his brilliant charge in such a way as to ensure that he became a champion at every new stage of his life before he was allowed to move on.

Woods, one of the youngest-ever winners of the US Junior championship - he was 15 - had to complete his degree at Stanford University in Northern California and, more importantly, win the US Amateur three times before Earl - and Nike, who coughed up some $40m to get him in their stable - felt he was ready for the big time.

And ready he was.

He turned professional in late 1996, shortly after winning his 3rd US Amateur title and less than a year later he had won the first of his four Masters titles and the first of his 11 majors.

In all he has won 67 professional tournament, 49 of those on the US PGA Tour, and is the only man ever to have held all four modern major titles at one and the same time

In short, heaps of natural talent and some great grooming has ensured that Eldrick (Tiger) Woods, now 30 years of age, has had an unprecedented career since becoming a professional golfer.

Sadly the same cannot be said for Michelle Wie.

True she is ranked No 2 in the World in her first season as a professional - thanks to all those second places and top 10 finishes.

And yes, she certainly has the swing, the distance and the looks that, when put together, all spell out World Celebrity with a massive 'C'.

Indeed, it's not for nothing that sponsors, including Nike, have already deposited more than $10m in her bank account, which must make her one of the richest self-made 16-year-olds in the World.

Right now she is probably the most high profile female golfer on the globe, yet she has never dominated girls and women's golf at any level and indeed has never even won a professional event.

Perhaps it's time she drops her obsession - or is it her father's - with playing in men's event's and get's down to what should be her next major target - winning on the LPGA Tour.

Rushing into professional golf at the expense of an amateur career, hasn't, it seems, been a very good idea.

Continually rushing into men's competitions when she has yet to master the ladies tour could be even more disastrous - though it might be very good for her bank balance.

It's time, Michelle, to come down from out of the clouds and set your feet firmly on the ground.

Hype seldom lasts for ever, but Champions stay champions, even when they are dead