Thursday, July 07, 2005

Fair or Not?



Is it fair or not that Michelle Wie gets a sponser exemption to play in a PGA event? She is 15 years old, without a doubt the upcoming Tiger Woods physique of the LPGA tour.

Wie is cracking down the field at the John Deere Classis in IL this week, hoping to become the 1st woman to make the cut in a PGA event in 60+ years.

Your thoughts about her in this event and what are her chances?

7 Comments:

Blogger Steve said...

Interesting delema unfolding with this. On one hand, I think women deserve the right to compete against men in PGA tournaments, on the other hand, I don't think it's fair to just give a female a sponser exemption. What that means is a male got shafted for some 15 year old amateur who quite frankly hasn't proven anything yet.

Here's the facts - she's 15, she's an amateur meaning no matter what place she comes in during any tournament she can't take home any of the prize $. And finally, she hasn't won a single event on the LPGA tour.

Can she compete with the field at he John Deere Classis? Sure, let me tell you why. 2 of the top 36 Worlds best golfers are in the field - which compariably, that is nothing. Other events like the Cialis Western Open had 8 of the top 10. Is Michelle Wie actually playing up to competition or second tier PGA competition? The playing field at the John Deere is weak and therefore Wie will be able to perform well.

If she really wants to see where she stands, have her play at the Men's US Open with Tiger and Vijay driving down her throat.

No animosity towards Wie, but I am pissed about 1 thing. She didn't even qualify like the rest of the men have to. If Michelle would go through q-school, or earn her way through the Nationwide or Nike tours, I'd have a hell of a lot of respect for her. Just because she's 15 with tits doesn't mean she should be given quality slots.

She is trying to get into the Masters and if she wins a qualifying tournament for the Masters she will have EARNED her way to Augusta, which is all I can ask for.

Predictions? Well, as dramatic as I'd like to see Wie making the cut, I don't think she will. Right now, she is -1 through the 1st round. The 2nd round will only get more difficult and I can see the cut line being -1 or -2. Wie will have to go out tomorrow and shoot a 2 or 3 under par round to make the cut, anything even par or worse will eliminate her.

1:32 PM  
Blogger Miranda said...

Is it just me or was the press about Annika Sorenstam playing on the Men's Tour a lot more passionate than it is with Wie? It seemed even the players were more ticked that a female who had proven herself was playing that week than what I've heard about Wie this week. I'm not saying that women should play on the men's tour. I think they should be kept separate. But maybe a two or three event mixed player series during the year or every other year wouldn't be such a bad thing. I don't think all the LPGA players could compete regularly against the men though. There's only a select few who could and Wie might be one of them (I'm avoiding mentioning equipment performance here because that's a discussion I don't want to get into since I don't play golf). As to whether or not it's fair, if the reason it isn't fair is because others who worked for their chance isn't getting it, then there should be no exemptions period for men or women.

4:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I ran a poll on my golf blog (www.hookedongolfblog.com) asking about women playing golf on the PGA Tour.

The overwhelming view was that it was ok for them to play on the PGA, as long as they qualified rather than getting sponsor's exemptions.

5:20 PM  
Blogger Steve said...

As good as sponser exemptions can be, they are worthless. I think every player needs to earn their right to play, especially if it's for $.

Wie was close, she had a decent round going, but it's obvious she has a lot of growing up to do. She's going to be a terrific player, and I hope she does well this next week at the Public Links, wins and accepts an invite to play at the Masters to truly test her game. Can you imagine her at the Masters? Now the course is going to be extended becoming 7400+ yards, greens to fast...she'll easily shoot a +10.

And Mediaguru, I totally agree - I think it would be fantastic if women earned their way to play with the men...when they do, I hope they make the cut and actually perform well enough to be in contention on Sunday!

Better luck next time Wie!

9:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think her boobs will end up developing in a few years and it will be her down fall thus making it harder to swing. I am a pretty big guy myself and my chub tits get in my way of my golf swing.

3:35 PM  
Blogger RED said...

hmm interesting point flogger... I guess? As far as it being fair I think she should have to earn her way in just like anyone else. She would not hang at all with the big boys. I think this is just for hype and nothing more.

12:42 PM  
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