Spring Break
Teenager Wie's exposure mostly undeserved
Danny Olender
Issue date: 4/20/05 Section: Sports
When I began thinking about a topic for this week's PGA article I was stuck. I didn't want to write about the Big Four because that's all we here about. Also, no one of note played in the MCI Heritage Open last week, so it was tough to dig up a good story from that. So I thought I would talk about the players outside the Big Four - guys who are labeled "the field" in comparison to the Big Four.
However, I was having second thoughts - it seemed a little boring (even for us golf enthusiasts who are reading this.) So I went to ESPN.com for some inspiration.
In the golf section, there was a headline about the John Deere Classic offering a sponsor's exemption to Michelle Wie and it got me thinking - not to mention it gave me something to write about. I don't have a problem with Wie getting this exemption. If you recall, she received one from the Sony Open last year. Obviously a move like this is made in order to create a buzz about the event, bring in some sponsors and revenue. So, if John Deere is looking to make some green (instead of cutting it, get it?) then it's a great business move and that's fine.
My point is this - why is Wie the one who is getting this exemption? If John Deere wants to put a female golfer in the field to boost revenue, why not put in the best? The player who deserves this sort of attention and respect is Annika Sorenstam.
Yes, Sorenstam got an exemption last year just like Wie, but since Wie got another and Sorenstam did not there becomes a problem. It's just like all the upperclassmen who are mad some freshmen got into Hilltop Apartments. The freshmen don't deserve such comforts and Wie doesn't deserve this attention.
The fact of the matter is Sorenstam has been a dominant player on the LPGA tour and Wie has yet to dominate any amateur golf events. Sorenstam has won the last five events in which she has started; including a major victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Sorenstam has won eight majors and has been taking over the LPGA since she won her first major in 1995. Sorenstam seemingly sets a new record every week and is quickly becoming the greatest female golfer of all-time (if she isn't already). Last year, in 18 starts, she posted 16 top-10 finishes and broke the single season scoring average, which just happened to be her record anyway. She also won the LPGA Player of the Year award, the seventh of her career.
However, I was having second thoughts - it seemed a little boring (even for us golf enthusiasts who are reading this.) So I went to ESPN.com for some inspiration.
In the golf section, there was a headline about the John Deere Classic offering a sponsor's exemption to Michelle Wie and it got me thinking - not to mention it gave me something to write about. I don't have a problem with Wie getting this exemption. If you recall, she received one from the Sony Open last year. Obviously a move like this is made in order to create a buzz about the event, bring in some sponsors and revenue. So, if John Deere is looking to make some green (instead of cutting it, get it?) then it's a great business move and that's fine.
My point is this - why is Wie the one who is getting this exemption? If John Deere wants to put a female golfer in the field to boost revenue, why not put in the best? The player who deserves this sort of attention and respect is Annika Sorenstam.
Yes, Sorenstam got an exemption last year just like Wie, but since Wie got another and Sorenstam did not there becomes a problem. It's just like all the upperclassmen who are mad some freshmen got into Hilltop Apartments. The freshmen don't deserve such comforts and Wie doesn't deserve this attention.
The fact of the matter is Sorenstam has been a dominant player on the LPGA tour and Wie has yet to dominate any amateur golf events. Sorenstam has won the last five events in which she has started; including a major victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Sorenstam has won eight majors and has been taking over the LPGA since she won her first major in 1995. Sorenstam seemingly sets a new record every week and is quickly becoming the greatest female golfer of all-time (if she isn't already). Last year, in 18 starts, she posted 16 top-10 finishes and broke the single season scoring average, which just happened to be her record anyway. She also won the LPGA Player of the Year award, the seventh of her career.