For the love of humanity, let it go already
-
- May
- 22
I remember writing a similar blog entry last summer about reasons Michelle Wie shouldn’t play in men’s events and feeling somewhat like a chauvinist in the process. Now I have no reservations about making the same case.
Yes, the Big Wiesy has “accepted another sponsor’s exemption into the John Deere Classic in July”:http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-johndeere-wie&prov=ap&type=lgns, this after missing the cut in all six PGA Tour events she’s played, and having missed the entire LPGA schedule thus far because of a wrist injury.
Let’s be clear: there’s no question Wie is a tremendous talent, nor is there a question that women deserve at least the chance to try to play against men if the situation is right. As I’ve said before, watching Annika Sorenstam’s historic two rounds in the 2003 Colonial was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever covered. But whereas Sorenstam earned a shot at crossing over based on her remarkable play over a number of years on the women’s tour, Wie has yet to establish herself as anything more than a carnival attraction in these events.
This is a bad idea. No, let me rephrase that: this is a ridiculously bad idea.
******************************
Speaking of Wie, I had no problem with her attempting to qualify for the men’s U.S. Open last year since she had to go through the same steps as everyone else. Her 36-hole qualifier at Canoe Brook made for compelling theater, and after 18 holes, it looked as if she was actually on her way to Winged Foot.
This year, though, Wie didn’t enter, meaning the sectional qualifying will be a much quieter affair. The sectional in these parts is June 4 at Old Oaks Country Club and Century Country Club in Purchase. Since there is no tour event in town, officials are expecting a modest field of roughly 58 golfers. No word yet on how many spots will be available in the Open, but I’ll be sure to pass that along when I have it.









