The Commish: Wie might make it on PGA ... one day
Even PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem can see Michelle Wie's potential of possibly making the PGA tour one day. Finchem admitted in the midst of intense TV negotiations for the PGA, while no doubt salivating at the prospect of a second coming to Tiger:
"Most people recognize Michelle as having the physical skills to compete at this level, if her game matures as she matures." Finchem said no one knows for sure how she will mature, but he believes if she is successful in playing men's golf effectively, then a new generation of young women might want to follow her. "For now, I think everyone should relax and enjoy watching her try to achieve her goal, which is to make it on the PGA Tour. It will be interesting to see if she can do that." More from USA Today here.
5 Comments:
Until Michelle wins any professional tournament she sucks in my book. She's a freak of nature and what's wrong with the sport. She's a big draw, that's true, but so was the bearded lady and the dead midget in a jar of vinegar.
I think Wie should stick in the LPGA for a while before she even attempts to move to the PGA.
I guess the opinion lies with what hat you have on. If I have the hat of Wie, and I have the opportunity to play in men's events, all the stars allign, make the cut, and make golf history, I'd sure go for it.
She loses money in the fact that she is likely to earn nothing that week, but you have to remember that no matter how much money she makes on tour, it will never compare to the amount she makes from sponsors. And playing in men's events make sponsors happy, and could even be part of the contract with the sponsor (play a certain number of men's events if given exemptions, for example).
As for the comment that she sucks because she has never won, you have to consider two points.
1)She is young.
2)This is her first full season as a professional.
Give her at least one year to say she sucks, but remember that at 14 she would have easily retained her card as a professional had she been a professional. And that is playing solely on sponsor's exemptions. Thus, if she sucks, there must be a lot of sucky golfers in the LPGA.
As for furthering the game of golf, making the cut on the PGA Tour probably will only hurt the PGA Tour (although her attending events has definitely increased the draw of an audience that previously would never attend a tournament). But making the cut would give some validation to the LPGA, and might draw in viewers (like myself) to the LPGA that would otherwise never attend or watch a televised tournament.
Wearing the other hat of a viewer, I can see why one would believe it would be in her best interest to develop her mental toughness by playing and succeeding on the LPGA. But it also has always been Wie's long-range plan to play on the men's tour, and she seems to be sticking with that route. You have to respect the fact that she has not caved in to the overwhelming criticism from fans as well as commentators regarding her choice to attend these men's tournaments, but if she ever does make a cut (which I doubt in the near future), I think a dramatic change in opinions will surface.
I mean honestly, doesn't anyone think she should at least prove that she belongs on the LPGA Tour before trying for the PGA Tour. Her total score I believe in all Men's events is like 37 OVER Par. That is not really very good. I don't know of many tournments where you get to shoot OVER par and make the cut.
Let Michelle Wie play with men as an exhibition. The men's tour is for men. How could there possibly be any debate over this. Anyway, I believe the PGA Tour is at no risk. She doesn't have what it takes obviously and the hype will fade as she scores poorly and eventually gives up. She sucks.
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